Seward daily gateway., 1923-11-24

power of the States to enact legislation the majority of the convention stood. dent that after both sides saw where the final resolution was adopted by ac- clamation and there were very few dissenting votes.
 The greatest event of all was the election of John R. Quinn, of Califor- mia, as National Commander As Geo. Mann puts it, When Alaska elected the new National Commander" Alas ka was asked to join the western states in their caucus the night before election. The caucus lasted all night, but we left the meeting feeling that in our endorsement of the candidacy of John R. Quinn we had selected one of the best men the West had to offer and their job was no doubt in our minds but that he was the best man for the job. The middle west and south were supporting General Wilder s. Metcalf of Kansas the New Eng land States endorsed Clarence R. Ed wards of Massachusetts; the other eastern states supported James A. Drain of Washington, D. O., and Penn sylvania had as it's candidate, William B. Healey.
 Alaska headed the list of westernI states and was the first to cast its vote for John R. Quinn and for eleven straight ballots we held fast to the Quinn banner. Not Western state wavered, but followed our lead to vic tory. The first states to swing were the Southern, however, it was not un- til Pennsylvania and Indiana cast their votes for Quinn was he elected and the most sensational and spectacular election ever held in the American n Legion was over
 Despite the great deal of work ac- complished by the Convention, the Carnival spirit held sway and San Francisco did herself proud as a host l hardly believe that Legionnaire slept for five days and five nights. At four in the morning there was about as much life and color on Market street as at high noon There was constant cheering and singing. There was the Iowa delegation that never lost an opportunity to tell the world IheT d1dnt give for the other fortyseven states for they were from the state where the tall corn grows"
 Pennsylvania was ever present with the cry that they didn't give al - Tor the whole state of I-o-way for they were from the Keystone State Every once in a while you would hear some wild and woody guys telling the world about Powder River"
 Even the ladies took turn atI painting China Town. The Eight Forty an honorary order in the AUX 1llary initiated about thirty or forty candidates into it's mysteries. Mrs Fucker and Mrs. Simpson being two or this number. They invaded China town in war paint, and even attempted big Chinese dinner.
 "A really fine thing was accomn,ish. ed by Mrs. Simpson, who carried toI San Francisco large amount of gar den truck and grain which had heenI on display at the fair at Juneau, This was placed on display in window in market street and proved a big at- traction. It was interesting to listen to some of the remarks of spectators. The fact that such things could he grown in Alaska was so unbelievable that many thought it must be joke
 The next convention will be held at St Paul, Minn. It hardly seems possible that there could be a greater convention than the one at San Fran cisco, but any Legion Convention is we'll worth attending. It may require sacrifices, but one feels we'll repaid in the inspiration one gets upon seeing the workings of such a great body in the interests of our America. There IS no greater stabilizing force in the world today than the American Le- zion. In it the highest ideals of Amer1canism will be realized. Every ex-soldier should realize that it is a | great privilege to belong to the Amer 1can Legion. It has a great work and a work that every American should be proud to have a part in. It will be the effort of the Legion this year to increase its membership and 1t is to De hoped that the Post of Seward and the Department of Alaska will contri- bute to this increase"