The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-14
SPIRITED FIGHT
FOR COMMANDER
Thousands of Grand Army
Men in Minneapolis
OPPOSE WlRZ MONUMENT
One Aged Nebraska Veteran Dies Of
Fatigue Caused BY Long Ride.
City ealy Decorated for
the Visitors.
OPPOSE WlRZ MONUMENT

Minneapolis August 1s--The rush of WIS.,
itors to this city for the annual encamp-
ment of the Grand Army of the Republic
continues unabated and from present pros
poets the meeting win be one of the most
successful held by the Grand Army.
According to the estimates of railroad
men fully 100000 people have so far ar
rived, and dozens of trains running in
two and three sections are still on the
way
The city is decorated as though every
man had made it his personal duty to see
that Minneapolis looked for her bravest
and best Flags and bunting are every
where seen from roofs to sidewalks. and
banners are swung in endless profusion
across the streets. The decorations lavish
as they now seem, are still in progress
and they will be increased until the morn
ing of Wednesday, when all the business
houses of the city will close in honor of
the great parade.
Warm Contest for Commander.
The contest for nat:or~sN commander is
growing warmer, although no great
amount of electioneering has so far been
done. The friends Of Capt. P. II. Coney
of Kansas are making what is outwardly
the most aggressive campaign and claim
to be fairly confident of the election of
their man. Other candidates whose names
are being strongly pushed are r. B. Brown
of GAINESVILLE. o.. and Charles G.. Burton
of Missouri. There is not contest worth
mentioning for any of the minor offices.
1t is expected that considerable debate
will result over the law recently passed
by Congress driving the canteen out of
the old soldiers homes
Commander-n-C Chief Tanner is In favor
of the adoption of a resolution deprecating
the purpose Of this law, but a strong ele-
ment In the organization is against such
action.
Object to Southern Monument.
Another feature that may crop out is the
old fight over the proposed erection by
the women of the south of a statue of
Henry Wirz, notorious for his atrocities
while in command at Andersonville prison.
This matter came up In 1901 and has been
more or less alive ever since. All men,
bers of the Grand Army are vehemently
opposed to the erection of statue to
Wirz, who was hanged for his crimes,
but many of them declare that In their
opinion tne intention TO erect the STATUE
is not serious.
The social features of the encampment,
which are numbered by the hundred, COM
menced today with regimental reunions
ard a reception given by Governor john
son at the new capitol in st. Paul to the
visiting veterans, In the receiving line
by the side of Governor johnson stood
Commander Tanner and notables of the
state and of the Grand Army. f. w. Til
den of Antelope county. Nebraska, an old
soldier. died today of fatigue induced by
the Journey from his home. He became
i'll on the train and upon his arrival here
he was taken to the Emergency hospital
and later to the home of relatives, where
he died.
The programme for tomorrow consists
largely of receptions and business meet
ings by numerous affiliated societies and
reunions of various regiments.