Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-20
HOME COMING DELAYED
q. A. r. AND W. b. G. DELEGATES
WILL ENJOY RECREATIoNs.
Much Interest Manifested in Boston
and Environs-PoHtical AMlia-
ton of the Veterans.

at an end. The District of Columbia dele
gates and visitors to the thirty-eighth ma
tional encampment of the Grand Army of
the Republic are today scattering to the
four corners of the nation.
1t is estimated that only about one-half
of the thousand or more visitors and vet
Grams who came to the hub from the capt.
tai city will return to Washington at this
time With most of these the trip to Bos-
ton was but beginning of their annual
leaves from government employ or vaca-
lions from the cares of business or pro-
fesSiOnal life. Boston is q great distribute
ing point for all the eastern summer re-
Sorts SO the delegates and visitors are TAX
ing advantage of this circumstance TO
reach the places selected for their late
summer recreation.
Many of the Washingtonians will pene-
trate still farther into the north, seeking
rest and pleasure in the mountains OF YER
mont and New Hampshire or along the
shores of Maine. By far the greater num-
Der, however, will return as far south as
New York and Pennsylvania, while hum
dreds will stop off at Atlantic City for two
or three weeks of hilarity at that lncom-
parable resort.
The fact that so many of the Washing
tonians were going on pleasure tours from
here made 1T impossible for Chairman
Newton Ferree of the special transporta-
ton committee of the Department of the
Potomac, to arrange for special train
special train were enjoyed by 610 OF the
Washington visitors on the trip to Boston,
the travelling arrangements being we'll
nigh perfect.
The Baltimore and Ohio was anxious to
make similar plans for the return journey,
but the scattering of the veterans and ex-
cursionists to different points made 1t I'M
practicable.
Even the members of the Old Guard. who
came in a body and have kept their visiting
organization intact. will not return So s..
Some of the members LETT To-Day. Whle
others will remain over until Monday ana
Tuesday Still others will leave their com
radeS route. ,
1t will be late in September before all
the Washington visitors are at home again
While in Boston they found much to amuSe
and interest them. The narrow tortorous
lanes dignifed with the names of streets
in the downtown section have formed a
striking contrast to the broad and straight
thoroughfares of the capital city.
Much Interest in the Subway.
The subway has, of course, attracted
much interest and has been the means of
the most convenient transportation. Many
have felt the best way to see Boston Is to
go through on the subway trains
Grand Army encampments are always
fitting opportunities for the exchange of
political views among the delegates who
gather from all parts of the Union The
Boston encampment. coming as 1t has
upon the eve of presidential election, has
been fraught with political interest and
Significance. Politics does not enter into
the management of the vast organiza ton,
but 1t is power in politics just the same.
Many men prominent in the political af-
fairs OF their state are members of rank
and dignity in the Grand Army and have
wide influence among the old soldiers.
There have been several conferences
among the politicians gathered here and a
vast deal of political talk. The Grand
Army is republican stronghold and will
remain SO to the very end. Its members are
class of men who would not readily
change their political affiliations.
Veterans Stanch Republicans.
They are soldiers, not turncoats, and the
grand old party possesses no more stanch
adherents than the members of the grand
old army. The best interests of the Union
soldiers have always lain with the repubN-
can party and they all understand and ap-
preciate the fact
Therefore, the announcement of a STRAW
poli vote by Boston newspaper that the
Grand Army men are to l for Roosevelt
as against Parker is regarded very much
as would be the sensational news that
coal had been discovered at Newcastle or
that mud might occasionally be found In
Potomac water. The poll shows that a
very few of the veterans will change their
party belief In November, and the paper
the change of vote throughout the country
will not be sufficient to change the political
complexion of the administration. AS al
ready stated, however. the politicians OF
both parties would be astounded at any
marked change in the political views of the
Union soldiers, and the republicans Will
not take much f1attering gossip to their
souls over the result of the straw poll just
finished.
A Missouri Republican.
One Of the most interesting politicians
here is Judge Charles G. Burton of Mis-
souri, who was chairman of the republican
state convention, which recently nominated
Walbridge for governor. Judge Burton is
not willing to admit that the republicans
have no chance in Missouri. especially with
regard to the gOvernorship, and certain
congressional districts. He declares the
democratic organization is not unit by
any means.
Folks Candidacy.
With regard to the .booders'' in the
state, Judge Burton says Mr.. Folk is Sc
curing the punishment Of the bride takers
but is falling signally to secure the convic-
ton Of the worse element, the bride givers
This will be the republican weapon to off,
set the democratic claims for credit in
Doodle prosecution.
Representative Washington Gardner Of
campment. has been the center of much
Interesting political talk. He cannot figure
out where the democratic party places its
hope of victory, and looks to see Mr. Roose-
welt elected in the easiest possible manner
The Michigan republicans are taking things
easy. except in the Detroit congressional
district. where they would like to deprive
Representative Lucking of the honor of
being the only democratic member of the
Michigan delegation in Congress.
Politicians Bugaboo.
Any tendency Of the old soldiers to drift
into talk that Judge Parker might not make
such bad President after all is quickly
silenced by a big bugaboo held up in lurid
manner by the politicians.
The veteran found on such tack is
quickly reminded of Mr.. ROosevelt's famous
pension order No. 49, granting annuities to
old soldiers on the ground that age neces-
sarily constitutes disability within the
meaning of the pension laws.
He is then asked If he wishes to jeopar-
die the income Of his comrades by voting
for democratic President who might order
a different Interpretation Of the statutes
The politicians do not hesitate to claim
that Judge Parker would change the rul-
ing, although 1t is not generally believed
they have the slightest authority for such
a g iclx