Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-08-19

growth. He said that while it is Gus
tomary for the mayor to turn over the
keys Of the city to delegates TO a con.
vention, he knew it was not necessary
in this case, as these fellows had a
habit of taking a city without any keys.
''oId Man Of Organization
With a place in the heart of evervy
one of the boys and the central figure
in the convention is Gen. Andrew Burt
a veteran of two wars and many wears
In the regular army A man with a fund
OF good stories OF army HE and every
inch soldier, he gives inspiration to
the boys in this, the second meeting
OF their organization. He was intro
duced as ''the old man of the organiza-
ton in Illinois" During the Spanish
American war he was a brigadier gen
eral. Under him was Col. J. E. Stew
art, who is also present.
Can't Speak.
i can't make a speech" said the
general upon being introduced TO the
assembly. and | didn't know I was 60
ing to be called on here. Now the las
part of that is a lie. When We were
coming down on the train last night
the commander here told me that he
was going TO call on me for a speech
and ] didn't sleep a minute all night
trying to think what ! was going to
say
You see. the mayor. after telling
you what an entertainer | am, getS, ont
as soon as he can, for he does not
want 10 be bored, himself. -
Il am proud to see that this organiza-
ton is to have the honor of wearing
the mantle that is dropping from the
shoulders of those grand old members
of the Grand Army of the Republic.
who are now rapidly passing away
They are passing away not only in ply
steal form, but il is more noticeable
every day that they are passing away
from the hearts and the memory and
recognition of the people.
1T is plain to my mind that this
country is proceeding to the greatest
turmoil ever seen here. | do not want
TO say, in my position. that it win be a
bloody revolution. but will call it a tur-
MOL. and | want this organization to
be ready to stand up and hoist the stars
and stripes between them and say. Go
now to your homes
Had IA Cigar.
What did you take while you was
out, Col Stewart" said the general.
breaking off his speech suddenly as two
of his comrades entered the room after
having left for a few minutes.
The colonel held up a cigar.
"Comrade commander, | object to
these fellows going out after drink
and not inviting me- he continued.
But | am "a .eetotaler and have been
for 16 years. That long ago | tried to
d INK all of the whiskey there was
made, but found | could not do 1t.
am an unfortunate teetotaler. People
talk about losing the desire and the
taste, bat I'll tell you. boys, when a
fellow feels melancholy and down
fCdrted and knows that just three fing-I
ars will make him own half of the
earth and have all the pleasures and
all the friends there is to have it is
hard to resist Talk about gold being
tho curse of the world, alcohol is the
curse"
Best Brigade in Army.
Continuing with his speech the gen
eral said, Il did not get to Cuba.
did all my fighting, bleeding and dying
in Jacksonville, Fla. But there | was
in command of the best brigade in the
best army of the United States, and,
excuse me. chaplain, but l wouldn''
give a d for the commander who
wouldn't say that his brigade was the
best"
Tribute 40 General.
Following the speech of the old man
of the organization, Col. J. K. Stewart
was called upon He paid heartfelt
tribute TO his general as he had watch
ed his career as a private, as non
commissioned officers, as a commits
stoned officer and brigadier general in
the Spanish war.
When he was called as a general
for our brigade. l met him one day
as | was wearing the emblem of the
Second Illinois and the 14th army
corps. which he caught sight OF and
said. don't you know me"
Yes. general, l have followed you
from '6I TO the present time l said,
and am proud that my regiment was
in his brigade"
Women Meet.
This morning the meeting of the state
department ladies' auxiliary of the I.
S. w. V. was held at Memorial ball,
and the election resulted as follows
President - Mrs. Patricia ~Cafoick
Siebel. Chicago.
Vice President-Alta Fider, Rock
Island.
This afternoon at the Harper house
the installation of the officers OF the
auxiliary took place. and the new
~ organized Clara Barton auxiliary OF
Siboney Bay camp of this city was III
stituted The following officers of the
local auxiliary were installed:
President-Mrs. Frances Simmons.
First Vice President-Miss Margaret
FrpV