The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-09-23
GILMAN IS ELECTED
COMMANDER OF
c. 4. R.
Boston Man Chosen at National
EnCampment
NO REAL OPPOSITION
John McElroY Gilman's Opponent,
Asks that Charges Against Him.
self Be Investigated

Atlantic City, n. J., Sep. 29.-John
r. Gilman of Boston for commander
in-chief and Rochester n. Y, for the
next place of meeting was the win.
ming combination in the national en-
campment OF the Grand Army, which
opened its business yesterday on the
ocean end of the steel pier The 9th
er officers elected were: Senior vice.
commander-in-chief Charles Burrows
of Rutherford, N. j. junior vice-com-
mander-in-chief, William James of
Jacksonville, Fla. surgeon-general,
John L. Smith &C Spokane, Wash;
chaplain-in-chief, Rev. Thomas Har-
wood Of Albuquerque, n. NJ.
The new conn Nnder had an easy
time of 1t in his election, but Roches
ter's selection as the next encamp-
ment site has a string to It, The vet
Grams decided that the encampment
can go to the New York state city on
condition that satisfactory rates are
secured from the railroads, but, If
the Judgment Of he executive COM
mittee Of the na'ional council OF ao-
ministration Of TIE Grand Army, the
rates are not TO ite liking the commit
tee can select so~o other city 10
which reasonable rates can be OBJ
tanned.
Los Angeles, Douyer and Spring
field. IT,, were also after the encamp
ment. and San Fro cisco invited the
veterano 70 the Co'den Gate city in
1915. When New Orleans heard Of
the latter invitation a veteran from
the southern city "A the encamp
mcpt would also hear from New Or
leans before 1915, the year fer thu
onening Of The Panama canal. The
election Of the cOmmander-in-chief
brought ND a subject that many Of the
veterans hoped would not come be-
fore them. u related 10 the conduct
of John McElroy Of Washington. d.
c., who was Gilmar's opponent fcr
commandments When McElroy's
name was presented to the conven-
tion he promptly withdrew II IN an
earnest speech. He declared that he
had become a candidate on the sOlici.
tation OF thousands Of Grand Army
men and that he had tried TO win the
honor fairly. but he had become the
target Of most persistent. rancorous
calumnies. falsehoods and innuen-
does" The charges made he said
had affected his Integrity In every
way and were leve'ed az him on such
short notice that he could not make
n proper defense the brief time left
before the election He therefore. he
said, withdrew his name as a candl
date and asked the encamnment 10 In
vestigate the charges. He said he
completely exculpated Gilman and his
friends from any hand IN the reports
circulated. Despite his announced
withdrawal, McElroy's friends rallied
around him and insisted unon votini
for him. The ballot resulted: Gil
man G67. McElroy 2l6
Col. Gilman was n member OF th'
fighting 18th Massachusetts infantry
enlisting az tender age after he had
run away from home. smitten will
the war fever The colonel Of hi
regiment was Fletcher Webster. sol
OF Daniel Webster. and during his en-
tire civil war experience served sue
cesslvely under Gems. Pone. MoClel
Ian. Burnside. Fighting Joe" Hooke
and Meade. The hloodiest engage
ment Of his regiment was at Ante
tam where so percent Of the met
were either killed outright or mortal
" wounded. He was at the iron
most OF the many days Of terribl
fighting at Gettysburg and only lat
down his gun when one OF his arm
was blown on by a rebel shell. CT
man Is one OF the ORIGINAL member
OF the Grand Army. having entere
the organization In 1863.