The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-06-01
ANGRY SOLDIERS,
Wholesale Threats of Res
lgnations in the Fourth
Regiment.
BECAUSE THE POLICE WENT FIRST
Military Etiquette Violated in the
Parade on Saturday-Chief
Murphy Aggressive.

There is trouble in the Fourth Rsgf-
ment, and designations are threatened.
Ehe difficulty is caused by an irritation
for which Colonel Abernethy and Lieutsn-
ant Colonel William 3. Mason, who was
Grand Marshal of Saturdays parade. are
neld responsible. Chief Murphy is also
criticised, but he does not care, and han
oles the grunbling militiamen without
gloves.
1t mad been arranged by the COMMITTEES
II cnarge of the parade, it appears, that
the Fourth Regiment was to lead the
procession. The arrangement was quite
satisfactory to every one, and, according
10 agreement, the paraders assembled at
Grand and Washington streets. Chief Of
Poiice Murphy, at the head of the police
force took the position assigned him,
prepared at a moments notice to take
second place in line, behind the Regiment,
according to agreement.
When the time to start had arrived.
colonel Abernethy and Lieutenant Colonel
Mason held a conference, and it was
agreed the police should take the right af
line. This was done, it is said, because
the Chief refused to designate a platoon
OF police to act as an escort to the regi-
ment When the milidamen found they
had been relegated to second place in the
line. after it had been given out that they
were were TO lead the way. they were mad
in the dual capacity of Colonel Of the
regiment and President of the Police
Boand, could not act fairly toward both.
Ihey declared, quite eInpha ticaily too,
that the Colonel had shown mis- preferences
for the police by assigning them to the
station station Ct Ct honor. through Lieutenant
orders, although Grand Marshal for tine
day.
The militiamen grunbled all day satur-
rather than decrease appears to be in
creasing: In groups the soldiers dis
cussed the subject, and severely criticised
every one concerned in the change Some
vent SO far as to declare that it was suffi-
cenf oone ase a warrant Their geddgneons
troupie, put does not like to discuss it
at this time.
Chief Murphy. when spoken to on the
subject this morning, said:-
The policemen, 1 want it understood,
We're IN their proper place. We were
willing to take second place in line al
though the regiment led the way last
year. This whole trouble is too childish
to discuss The Grand Marshal made tae
change. and the Colonel of the Regi-
ment carried out his orders. Soldiers
have no right to question the orders of
superior officers. # men are talking
about resigning because of the change
Of positions, the sooner they get out Of
the regiment the better I want to say
that if policemen questioned orders they
would be dismissed in hurry No
time would be given them to resign 1
am surprised that militiamen are grun-
bling. The boys lost 40 homer and no
one attempted to rob them of any. This
is a subject which should be dropped at
once"
One of the resigning officers was seen
this morning. He said:-'.I do not think
now is the proper time for anything to
be said regarding this matter. When the
time arrives the necessary explanation
will be made.''
When asked as to the number of those
resigning the officer replied that he did
not know exactly how many had resigned,
but they were in the neighborhood Of sew
enteen.
Many of the officers in the regiment in
looking into the matter have referred to
paragraph 66S of the military tactics con-
cerning ceremonies. This part reads tha+
in ceremonies the troops shall be arranged
in the order giving the regulars first
place. Volunteers and State militia come
next, and then other organizations. The
police come under the head of other or
CARNATIONS. and therefore a breach of
military law was committed