New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-11
GOTERNOR AND GUARD.
An UPROAP OVER TIE SIXTY.NINTII REGI
MENT AFFAIR
no LIVELIHOOD THAT THE COMM,NDERIN.
CHIEFS ACTS WILL BIZ EESISTED-TALK
OF a MAse-MEETlNG.

CHIEFS ACTS WILL BE HE>lSTED-TAL
OF MASS MEETING.
Such disturbance as has been made over tho
| action Of the Governor In reducing the 9th Reg
ment to a battalion, by disbanding five companies.
has probably not been IN military circles since
the last war. There is plenty OF evidence that the
matter is not yet finally disposed Of. II Is evident
in fact that the worst is yet to come unless the
rumbling which has been heard is all stage thunder
Cases similar to this It would be hard to find
Military generally recognize the absolute legal
power OF the Governor to disband, cut up and con-
solda.e military organizations generally compos-
ing the National Guard. They understand clearer
to-day than they did two three years ago, before
the 22d Regiment complications arose. The troubles
In that organization somewhat similar to those
in the Goth. There two factions which were
continually fighting and pickering with each other.
Adjutant General Porter at that time realized the
fact that Of these factions must be rooted out.
He called for the designations Of all the officers.
lie told them plainly that this was the only way
in which the regiment could be saved He wanted
the option of accepting such Of the designations of
the officers he thought would settle the troubles
and bring about harmony. Some OF the officers.
notably Captain John r. Leo, refused to comply
with General Porter's request Captain Leo's CON-
pany disbanded, with one or two others. and
he was placed on the supernumerary list. Captain
Leo opposed this action and fought II TO the Court
of Appeals. The military code was stronger then
in favor of officer than IL is now. But all the
courts through which the case passed decided
against Captain Leo and upheld the Governors ac'
ton constitutional. This has not been for
gotten by National Guardsmen, and so no thought
is entertained OF contesting the acts OF the Conn
mander-n- thief in that way.
The members Of the Goth who feel agreved have
taken another method. They hope to induce The
Governor to rescnd his order by showing him
thIouEh Il Iopui"I a.io wa, ~, ,i1 a 49,
done Is wrong. Their purp1s" II TO hoid a mia
meeting to bring the fact home TO the Governor.
irish Legion have taken up the cause OF the Dis
charged men and win consider their case at meet
Is ertramcjv doubtG,l ,Shn Governors acts. which
were undoubtedly the reflection Of the advice Of
Adiutant-G General Porter. not done hastily.
They were ths result Of long rejection I'll n, ana carr
General Porter has been in constant consultation
Is no doubt whatever that the commanding Of
1cer of the 1st brigade approved what was done
about this affair but one story which printed
reduced to battalion brought out an exclamation
from him which showed how he felt about the !
This story was the announcement by Captain Cole
man that he would give an exhibition drill 10 show
II. McGraths adverse criticisms well founded |
Things have come to pretty pass General /
e caIfgfSa as s| his an 0'er Issues SO'
Colonel Cavanogh too. undoubtedly knew what !
he approved. in the main. the action taken; Major /
order came. and there were several Circumstances
which showed that he knew what was coming. .
Naturally he approved most heartily the Governors
method OF settling the difficulties.
Officers OF the National Guard outside Of the !
Goth generally inclined 10 think that II the /
regiment be saved from dishantment en-
TREY, probably General Porter and his advisers
have discovered the wiscst course to pursue.
This internal quarrel has been kept UP for
long a time" officer said. that the officers
who are now deposel had come to believe that
outside OF IN" orga MIA; zion would dare step
in and stop II. Without doubt he 6sih has been
a strong Tammany organization for years. The
only bad feature about the reorganization H. TINT
II makes the regiment solid Tammany phaunN.
Whether not this had any influence In leading
the Governor 10 n decision about which faction
was TO be rooted out do not pretend 70 know. !
believe II Is generally conceded that Iieuien1nt-
Colonel Moran started this fight several years ago.
and he has kept II up over since. Now that he has
very well for him to kick. The other officers also
chose him their leader. and they naturally fell
with him OF course only take the official
reports TO the conditions Of the companlcg
From these IL IL widen that. all things considered
the poorest companies In tho regiment Nav" been
dlsbanded. | cannot on the suppOsitiOn mat
General McGrath has made false reports simply for
the purpose Of venting personal spleen. hs som"
Of the officers whose companies have been dis
banded seem II think he has done. II II had been
any other regiment except the Gsh which had such
strong political pull about which such adverse
reports were continually made for two or three
years ] believe some action Of this sort would
nave been taken long ago. When the 2ld Regiment
got into fight Of this kind, harsh measures were
taken once