The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-10-21
ABBB4T'S PLAIN Talk
Second Regiment Must Obey
Orders Before He
Will Act.
he TERMS THE MEN REBELLIOUs
His Frankness PIeases the Soldiers
Fifth Regiment Court
martial Begun.

a delegation of the old Second Re gi-
ment of Hoboken. accompanied by Judge
William d. Daily and Ass embiyman Eel
Ter, went to Governor Abbett's Office in
New York Wednesday afternoon. and
talked over with the Executive the griev-
ance which the Second Regiment men
claim they have. The Governor met the
gentlemen coHrteously. and listened al
teptively TO what they had to say. Judge
DAILY Intro duced the visitors and ex-
planned to the Governor that they were
present at his invitation in order that
they might be convinced that he was do
ing all in his power for them. The Judge
also explained the object of his visit, and
said ne was there to present the griev
anCes of the men and to request the
Governor a. d personal favor to
him to adjust the matter amicably
in as speedy a time as pos
sible. He said thar the men were anxious
to accept any Condition that was fair, and
were particularly desirous to ave the
matter quickly settled. The Judge re-
viewed the tactics resortsd to by the
members of the Fou nth Regiment 10 the
recent election, of which the Governor
said he was aware. aud then Judge DAILY
Introduced Assem- blyman Zeller. The
popular North Hudsonite made a plain
and straightforward explanation of his
interest in the matter. He said that
many of the members OF the OH Second
Regiment were Democrats and his con-
stituents, aud had requested him to in
terest himself in their behalf.
GOVERNOR ABBETT'S FRANKNESS.
Governor Albeit listened Iutently to
the argument Of Dolh.gentlemen and then
gave a plain and concise statement Of his
position in the matter. He said:-
II am pleased that you gentlemen have
called and placed your grievance before
me, as 1t has afforded me an opportunity
to explain my position and also show my
feelings in the matter. Ii Mr.. DAILY and
Mr.. Zelier have come here to Use their ln-
hnence In a political way to effect q reor-
gantZatiou. in the interest of an organiza-
ton that threatens political opposition,
my answer is. gentlemen, go right ahead.
| cannot consistently permit my ACTIONS
to De guided by a political organization
and maintain the honor and dignity of
my Official position. l wouldn't care il l
lost every vote in the State; I would
rather be knocked down aud kick ID
about tn. street than to take a position
which l knew To be unjust.
You gentlemen" addressing the mill
tia men, shou, understand that you are
NOT soldiers. You have mutinIed. You
cannot ask me to lake such an important
step at the solicitation of men who have
rebelled. men who have positively refused
TO obey tbs orders OF their superiors, /
aave been informed. u correctly. too. l
believe that an order issued from regi-
mental headquarters two weeks ago last
Tuesday commanding the appearance of
he Aouoken Battalion ut drill, was re-
Gently Ignored by its mem pers, thus pIac-
ing themselves In contempt, and q SO rem
fl0ti1Np than 1io hIa RI Conrf Mo.nii I
am afraid that II continued refusal to obey
orders Will result III Lhe disbandment OF
the Batttliop.
THE MEN ARE MUTINEERs.
lyon gensie .nen, 1 think, viii coincide
with me when l say | Gould not consclen-
tiouslv act otherwise under the circum-
stan. es. Place You self in my position,
and ! believe you will agree that / would
not he Justified Ia efectlng a r~eorgsniza-
tiou uuder the existing condition of
affairs. l believe that the Battalion acted
with undue haste in this matter. Had
they exercised their good Judgment Il
favorable adjustment would nav been
more speedy IN Its arrival. The dissatis-
faction arising from the recent election of
officers was apparent to me. The matter
had been thoroughly Investigated
and evidence placed before me
which concluded warranted a
reorganization. | had instructed
SCfyker 70 erect one,
when he WAS requested to wait ten days
longer in order that a few other details
could be Investigated. 1t was during this
interval that the insubordination &C.
Cured and was compelled in honor to
myself n my official position to let
matters rest as they were. would advise
you. gentlemen, to prove yourselves true
soldiers, and obey orders as they are
given you. That is the only way an
amicable adjustment of your grievances
can be obtaiued."
WILL MAKE NO PROMISES.
Sergeant CHASER. when The Governor
hau concluded. asked him If he meant to
say that IL the men obeyed orders and
continued to turn out that he would
order Il reorganization.
The Governor replied empnatically that
he would make no promises; that the re-
suit Of their differences depends entirely
upon the nature Of their conduct in the
future. The visitors then retired and
dined with Judge Daily.
The militiamen were pleased with the
Governors franKness.
The Reform League will meet Satur-
day night at Bar rs Hall. Judge DAILY
and Assemblyman Zsller will be present
and address the meeting.