New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-05
AN AMERICAN NEEDED.
A MEMBER OF THE 69TH BATTALION ON
THE TROUBLE IN CAMP
HE SAYS THAT An FRESHMAN IN COMMAND CAN
NOT MAINTAIN DISCIPLINE. AND FAvoRS
LrEtTEHANT-CoLONEL SMITH


LIEUTENANT COLONEL SMITH
The reported petition of five OF the six captains OF
the Goth Battalion to have Lieuenant-Co Colonel James
Moran placed In command of the organization WIN
a view to Its reorganization as a regiment crea'eu
considerable excitement in National Guard circles
Yesterday. although a fight in the 18th has become
the rule rather than the exception Guardsmen are
divided to the military requirements OF the Two
men who are candidates for the leadership OF All
that is eft Of the once gallant G9th. but doubt
the absolute inef.icency OF the battalion as BODY.
The command made a show Of itself at Van Cort-
landt Park some time ago when IT'S eVolutohS
brought ont unfavorable comment from officers gem
orally. Including the brigade commander. Inc poor
work that time doubtless remembered when
Major Duffy was set aside at Brooklyn and lieuten-
ant Colonel Smith was placed In command. 1t has
been suggested that despite his evident neficiency
Major Duffy retained in command partly
through the influence Of Tammany politicians and
chiefly through the friendship Of Brigader-General
Louis FITZGERALD
Major Duffy at the seth Battalion Ar
mory last night. and said that he had received
no official notice OF the communication sent TO
Governor Morton by his captains. lie did not
doubt that the communication had gone forward
but he seemed to feel no anxiety as to the outcome
OF the matter.
Members OF the regiment were more outspoken
on the subject of Ma or Duifys contemplated re-
moval than they the day before. and the
general opinion that change OF commanders
was absolutely necessary. I'VE want comman-
der" said "A member Of the 69th, who Is compe-
t"nt to handle a regiment. and who will restore
the command 10 something like the standing which
IT once occupied. We favorably inclined toward
Lieutenant Colonel Moran" he added. but do not
think he Is the only man. In fact, think that
Lieutenant Colonel Smith. of the 1th Regiment, or
some other American would be a better man for
the office than Moran. An Irishman VIII not be
Ia ont, afrlf, aronp lriSnmpn
nearly 50 well an American"
'The whole thing will end in wind" said another
member OF the battalion. The various com
mandcrs OF the cath Regiment and Battalion have
succeeded in making politicians believe that the
command oNerts a great political influence and
that 10 offend or stand against II means 10 antas-
onize IN" greater part OF the irish vote the con
sequence Is that people are afraid 10 act. Now,
that is nothing but a great blum. The commander
of the e'th Battalion can't control twenty votes
In IN" command. and the men would vote as they
pleased, no matter who was In command
on All sides III" opinion was oppressed Inat tn
good OF the battalion demands the appointment OF
new 'ommand'T. ana rather than nav tne com
nait To- On In It's present sllpShOd manner many
members would prefer 10 see II disbanded
BrHili'r-(irn"ral Louis Fitzgerald was seen az
hrigal- heIdquarters Thirty -fOurth-st. and Park
ave" last uight. The much-spoken Of communtca-
ton from the captains had Just been received by
him. and he said that ii would b" forwarded 70 ne
said hat ne had no knowledge Of Major Duny's
Incompetence. and that the officers of the s9th
Battalion had never made any complaint to him on
IS to Major Duty having been retained through
his Influence. General Fitzgcrald said such was
not the cage. because he could neither retain nor
dismiss officer simply because OF his likes or
w have not seen the end OF this yet" said
over the affair. Tho Goth may not live TO hear II,
but thcreil hc music just the same