The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-10-09
new ADJ'T. CEN.
Colonel Hunter c. White to
Succeed General Dyer.
Then Captain F. N. Sackett Will
Succeed General White.
May BE Real Tronble VIII Begin when
Assembly Meets.

NEWS one SEPTEMBER afte rnoon to the
effect that on the resignation OF Adiutant-
General Dyer, which is expected some
time about Novem Der 1, Captain II. NJ.
Sackett would be appointed Adjutant-
General pending the convening of the
in military circles, created some conster-
nation i'm political bywsys and was OF no
little interest TO the public, generally.
For, as il appears, W hile Captain Sackett
Is a war veteran, he has not been identi-
fed with the militia, and In a military
way is practically unknown TO the young
fellows who have come up in the brigade.
Why the Governor should go outside the
brigade for an appointment when he had
at command at least two wearers OF the
silver eagle who could I'LL the bill was a
matter of curious conjecture. Especially
aid the appointment appear TO overlook
one important and thoroughly available
and capable colonel, namely Hunter Z.
White, assistant adjutant-general during
General Dyer's long term of Office. Under
the law, Colonel White goes out OF Office
with his senior on the general staff of
the commander-in-chief and mill
tary men, politicians and every body else
interested in the brigade had reason to
feel surprised that Colonel White, II no
one else connected with the brigade,
should not have received the appoint
ment. Colonel Whites claims, il may be
said, would naturally have thrown any
other out OF the question II he chose TO ac-
cept the adjutant-generalship. They are
based on long military service, thor
ough acquaintance with the duties of the
Office grown familiar by his association
with them, and in q military sense he is
distinctly in the line OF promotion. In a
poiti cal sense, too, the claims OF the Col
onel are not to be sneered at, for as chair
man OF the state Central Committee IL
may be believed that the Governor must
feel under some obligation TO him and
he is naturally particularly strong with
the Assemblymen who will finally elect
the successor to General Dyer, theoreti-
cally, at least, irrespective OF whom the
Governor appoints TO fill the interim.
As matter of fact, it is understood that
Colonel White had the refusal OF the
Office, as he ought to have had, on con-
dition that he gave up the shrievaIty and
devoted all his time TO the adiutantigener-
alship. This proposition naturally did not
strike Colonel White favorsbly, as the
single star on the adjutant-general'
shoulder straps carries with il only 5000
a year, while the Office of high sheriff is
worth rather more than that. So the
Governor selected for the Office Captain
+. M. Sackett, formerly an officer
of Rhode Island battery that did good
war service,> and Captain Sackett forth
with proceeded TO oruer his uniform.
The general surprise and comment fol-
lowing the announcement OF the coming
appointment set the IN ilitary and politiCa.
gossips to talking, and all sorts OF wild
rumors got atloat. 1t WAS declared to
be the spirit of Colonel Whites friends
not 10 have him turned down liz any
such peremptory fashion, and the pros
pect was that the Assembly would fail TO
ratify Captain Sackett's appointment and
elect Colonel White in his stead. Dis
agreeable as such action on the part of
the Assembly would be for the Governor
to face the chances were good that ne
would have to face il and the chances
we're also good that Colonel White would
come out victorious when it came to
ballot. At least that is the way Colonel
Whites friends have been talking it.
But now, everything Is all right, that Is
so FAR as Col. White is concerned. Colonel
White will not be dropped out after his
long period OF efficient service that war
ranted his promotion.
This Is the way the situation is to be
unsnarled: The Governor, it is expected,
will appoint Colonel White adjutant-gen-
eral on the retirement of General Dyer.
This will satisfy Colonel White and his
friends as deserved recognition OF SER
vice and fitness. Colonel White Will become
brigadier general and may retire as
such. As a matter of strong proba bility,
he will retire at his earliest convenience
and Captain Sackett Will then be appoint
ed.
II The NEWS says so, il usually is so.
Captain Sackett will be the next adju-
tant-general by executive appointment,
although Colonel White Will have re-
celved all the honor he chooses TO take
from the Office, as ne deserves TO.
But II talk in military and political
circles means anything he incident viii
not be closed by simply making things
80 satisfactory for Colonel White The
tendency in the militia is not to NEEDLE
with politics but the officers and men
have their own ideas just the same. III the
General Assembly endorses the executive
appointment OF Captain Sackett he will
be obeyed and respected accordingly. But
Just now the militia do not take kindly
TO the idea. They have no candidate and
probably some OF their more available
men like General Kendall or Colonel
Warheld could not, for business reasons,
accept the position, II offered them. But
the duties OF the adjutant-genersPs Office
are so important, often so delicate. so
intimately associated with and far-resch-
ing throughout the entire military estab-
lishment that the militiamen feel that
justice can only be done the Office and
the brigade by the appointment of
man who has had some experience In
connection with the brigade or who can
give some evidence OF qualification other
than being a personal friend OF the com
mander-in- chief.
IL is also said that the Grand Army
rank and file do not feel pleased at hav-
ing honors go TO Captain Sackett, though
their ground OF opposition is not alto
gether clear and may not be important.
Whether this sentiment OF opposition
will endure until the Assembly meets or
whether, Is II dees, II will be organized
efficiently to combat the Governor, are
yet open questions. The militia as .
body regrets that Colonel White cannot
fill the office permanently, but his accept
ance OF the star. to retire, will ly no
means settle the opposition to Captain
Sackett.
II is said that Colonel Charles n. VIII
liams, formerly assistant postmaster,