The herald., 1895-03-29
The Seventh Regiment in a
State of Excitement
AN ELECTION WHICH FAILED
The Warriors Will Now Have Another
Charte
A Lieutenant Colonel and q Major to Be
Chosen---A Rather Amusing
Affair


have another election for Lieutenant
Colonel and Major. 1t is true that they
had one election only few weeks ago,
but that has been declared null and void,
and now they are to have another try and
see whether they can make a 60 of it.
But back of this double barreled election
there is quite a little story, which would
seem to indicate that even among the mil
itary political methods prevail. No sooner
were the orders issued for an election to
fill the vacancies caused by the expiration
OF the terms of Lieutenant-Colonel How
land and M. l.. Starin. retired, than the
log-rOlling commenced. No opposition
developed to Colonel Rowland, VINO, when
he is not playing soldier, grows olives up
at Pomona, and it was conceded that he
would be hopored with reelection. For
Major there were three candidates: Cap
tain Halpin, of the Anaheim com pany.
who was warmly supported by Colonel
Schreiber and was known as the admins,
tratlon's man, Lieutenant Kennedy ana
Lieutenant Weller. OF course Weller, who,
it is said, has not yet attained his ma
jority, was not in it really, and the Hal
pin and Kennedy forces broke even, the
former having some advantage in the
Colonels support. Kennedy's friends,
however, were workers, and they put in
full time pushing the claims of their man.
1t was urged that Halpin was ineligible,
as he was not citizen of the United
States. but that made no difference,
and the merry war went on.
When the election came around four
teen officers were in attendance at the
Armory Colonel S hreiber presided.
Lieutenant-Colonel Rowland was prompt
ly reelected without opposition. and then
the fun commenced. The three candi-
dates were placed in nomination. Lieu
tenants Musselman and Collingwood were
named as telers. and the balloting COM
menced. Colonel Schrieber voting as did
the others, notwithstanding he was the
presiding officer. Weller dropped out after
the second ballot, and then it was seen
that there was deadlock. Six ballots
were taken, the result being the same in
every instance, 7 for Halpin. for Ken
ne1y. On the seventh ballot one of the
warriors fell down under the heavy strain
and failed to vote, and whgn the ballot
was announced it showed for Kennedy
and 8 for Halpin. The vote was duly
polled, and Colonel Schneider announced
that Lieutenant Kennedy, having been
elected Major. could have some more
decorations put on his soldier clothes and
would hereafter ride large horse at the
head OF the procession, instead of footing
it along by the side OF the company.
Then the. distinguished warriors laid aside
their implements and likewise habil-
iueHtS VI WAT, anu, dlJoT bdkllS ClSdTo
with the new Major, again became peace
able citizens. They then went out and
INDUCED in light liquid refreshments,
such as soda pop and other cooling decoc
tions after which they dispersed to their
respective domiciles and slept the sleep
of the just.
Colonel Schreiber however, was not
satisfied. He had set his heart on making
Halpin major, and he was much worried
| over the miscarriage of his plans. Just
| how is not known. but in some manner
| he was seized with an inspiration that
| there had been mistake somewhere. 1t
| may have been only a troubled dream,
but at any rate he acted on it, and next
morning-which was Sunday-repaired to
the armory. By a strange coincidence
the ballots taken the night previous had
not been disturbed, and on recountng
the votes he claims to have discovered
| that there were seven votes for Hapin,
whereas Kennedy had but six. 1t was an
awkward position. to be sure, as he had
| announced kennedys election. and, be.
| sides, it would be difficult to make the Off
GERS believe that the ballots might OF have
been tampered with, especially as no safe
| guards had been taken to prevent such
contingency. But Colonel Schreiber was
| equal to the emergency. He promptly an
| nounced that he had been mistaken, the
| inference being that he had been buncoed
| by his brother officers, and he refused to
| certify to kennedy's election or to issue
| him certificate. Not only this, but he
reported to the brigadier-general that
! there had been no legal election for ma
! jor,' in the excitement forgetting to men
| ton the leutenant-colonelcy. This knotty
! question was referred o the Judge advo-
| cate, Colonel G. Wiley Wells, for decis-
| ion, but that official was out of the city,
| and SO nothing was done. And now
| finally, after weary waiting, another elec.
| ton has been called to settle the impor-
| tant question, as will be seen by the fol-
lowing order, officially promulgated
last evening", by Leutenant-Colonel
! adjutant-general and the whole battle
will be fought over again:
HEADQUARTERS
FIRST BRIGADE, N. q. c.,
Los ANGELES. Cal, March 81, 1895.
| Special Orders No. IL.
| First-The officer detailed in S. o. No. z. C. S.
from these headquarters, to preside al the elec-
tion therein orde I'd to be held by the fl Id
and line officers of the Seventh Regiment of
Infantry National Guard California, having
failed to report that any one was legally elected,
and Laving reported i'll a communication tnat
in the case OF the office of Major no one was
legally elected, therefore the said order is
hereby revoked, and the field and company
officers, above referred to, are hereby ordered
ment on sa urday, April the 9th. proximo, at 8
O'Clock p. m, and hold an election for Lieuten-
ant-Colonel and Major of said regiment, vice
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS dOWlanQ, term expired,
and Major starin retir d.
second-Major M. T. Owens, signal officer
this br gade, is hereby detail lied to pr side at
said election. and in discharging the duty will
conform to sections 1927 and 1885, Political
Code, and the provisions of the laws and regu-
laions governing elections in the National
Guard OF California.
BY command of Brgadier-G General E. P.
Johnson.
L. s. BUTLER
Lieutenant Colonel and Acting Adjutant-Gen-
eral