The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-07-27
MUST DISBAND.
Hackett's Old Company found
Very Deficient.
Discharge from the Regular Service
Recommended from Headquarters.

In compliance with special orders is
sued by Brigadier General Kendall, COM
handing the State militia, Assistant Adj
jutant General Warheld and Assistant
Inspector Carter visited Co. f., Second
Regiment of Infantry X. ]. M, on the
evening of June 3, 1894 for the pur-
pose of investigating the condition of the
company. The first matter of inquiry
was as to the condition OF the lockers in
the compan room. The greater portion
of them were found to be badly damaged
by having been forced 9pen
bsyonet or convenient tool. 1t was
earned that this practice had been going
on from the time when they were pur-
chased by the State. This habit had
arisen partly from the fact that the pre-
vious commanding officer had taken pos
session OF the keys and had charged each
man.
Fifty Cents
for the privilege of using them. AS a
number of the men refused to advance
the money TO pay for the keys their only
method of using the lockers had been TO
force the locks. The money thus received
by the officer, so far as could be learned,
has never been accounted for. h
method Of opening the lockers was well
known to the commissioned officers OF the
company.
1t was also found that a number OF the
u iiforms were missing and the Lieutenant
Ia command stated that he had no know
ledge where they were and was not sure
they could be found. Such uni
forms as were present were found
in fair condition. The company Is at
present in command of First Lieutenant
George j. Leach, detailed temporarily by
Colonel Moran, the only COM
handing officer being absent from
the State without leave having
been granted. The company has a total
Of as men on the roll books. rhe average
attendance at drill has been from twenty
to thirty men each evening, but no drill
was recorded from January 20 to May
IL, 1894. 1t was stated that
the usual drills had been held
with one exception, but no record
of them was found until since May
IL. The testimony given showed that the
paired more by the general feeling of dis
content among the men ct the absence of
regular officers than from lack
Of qualifications of The Lieutenant
detailed. This is s~ubstantiated
by the testimony of the major in COM
mand Of the battalion to the effect that he
had been frequently present at drills and
drilled the company himself.
An Election Impossible.
An important part of the investigation,
as the commission understood ii, was to
ascertain the advisab ility OF an immediate
election of mpan officers. Inquiries
were directed to that end. There were "a
men present although it was learned that
no notice OF the meeting had been issued
committee. 1t was nearly the un-
unanimous opinion of those pres
emit that an early election should be held,
but when questioned as TO whether there
were suitable candidates available, the re-
plies were not satisfactory. 1t was evil
dent that a large number OF the mel
were in favor of the reelection oil
Captain Hackett, and il was equally evil
dent that no other candidate WOULD
be satisfactory. The testimony showec
that a committee of five ~privates had been
elected at a previous company meeting Il
nominate candidates, but had never re-
ported, and up to the present time hav'
no names to present. The result OF the
Investigation showed that il would be i'm
possible to hold an election at present.
The company was then questioned as Il
their willingness to attend camp. The.
refused almost unanimously TO attent
under the command of the lieutenant II
command, although protesting. no per
s6nal feeling against him. When informe'
that Lieut.. Kirwin, their senior officer
had written to say that he should tax,
command in camp, they stated thei
willingness to serve under him, bu
were not inclined to believe he woul
be present. The general testimon
; showed n very poor condition OF affair:
The men freely accused each other G
InsubordinatIon and Misconduct.
IL is plainly evident that the futur
success OF the company VIII require Tn
services of an exceptionally able CON
manding officer, and IL such can be foun
and elected he will have strong opposi
ton, which can only be overcome by IN
discharge OF a large number OF The presen
members.
bad Financial Condition.
I The company is also IN a bad flnancii
condition. II owes debts in different place
and the assistant adjutant general ha
been frequently visited by its creditor
who hoped thereby TO receive assistance.
Is understood that in the event OF Lieuter
ant Kirwjhtaking command OF the CON
pany through camp he will immediatel
thereafter leave the State for an indennt
period, leaving the company without an
commanding officer.
q DISARMAMENT Recommended.
I In view OF the condition Of affairs, (,
q gether with the many obstacles to |
a overcome In placing IL upon = proper 100
ing. the investigating commission advl
that the efficiency Of the service will
better maintained by the DISARMAMENT
the company, thus leaving the Tie
open for the formation Of a new comman
nj such time ~ the authorities may thin
v advisable. The report l. signed by Arth'
n V. Warfejd, lieutenani-colonel ana a
y sistant acknowledgement, and John
Carter, major and assistant inspecto
= general. Brigade Rhode Island Militia.
e Officially Approved.