The morning times., 1897-01-01
CEN. M'LEWE[ REMOVED
His Harsh Criticism of Gov.
Merton the Cause.
HOFFMAN TAKES HIS PLACE
He Used Severe Language Toward
His Commander-in-Ch Entire
Staff's Wrath Aroused at the Re
port-Fiercest Fight for Years
in National Guard Is Ended.

AlbanyN Y, Dec 31.-Gov Morton this
afternoon took summary action and re-
moved Frederick McLewee, inspector general
on his staff from office, and at the same
time appointed Capt Hoffman, OF Elmira,
IN his place. Capt. Hoffman has already
been appointed to serve as inspector general
on Gov. Blacks staff.
Adit Gen. McAlpin arrived at his Of
flee today. He was very silent and angry
when he read Inspector General McLewee's
report for the past year which was pub
lished in this mornings papers.
This report contained severe criticism
on Gov, Morton as sconInander-i -in-chief, AdjU-
Gen. McAlpin and brother officers, and
aroused the wrath Of nearly every member
of the national guard in Albany, from Gov.
Morton down.
Adjt. Gen McAlpin Immediately snIght
Gov.Morton at the executive chamber. The
governor had already read Gen. McLewee's
criticisms of his superior officers, and was
about prepared to act. He Immediately
promulgated an order for Gen. McLcwee's
removal.
A court martial was suggested, but this
was thought to he too slow procedure,
especially as Gen. McLewee's twenty-five
ended tonight, when he goes out OF office.
Gen. McAlpin said today
General McAIpin Talks.
The regulations require that a report
OF subordinate officer should be filed
with his chief, whose property il is.
This was not done by Gen McLewce He
gave the report out himself i'll New York
and took pains to point out to the news
paper men the superior officers against
whom his revengefi thrusts We're aimed.
The regulations also say that report con-
timing criticisms Of officers or the Guard
shall be confidential.
Here there w;iS also violation by Gen.
McLewce. He has Also violated the regu-
lations in many other Particulars. His
main violation, however, was his disrc
gard Of that principal article OF war which
prohibits a subordinate officer from criti-
cising n superior officer. The governor,
as commander-n-chief, took the most ap-
pruprate action he could under the ~
cumstances ana removed Gen. McLewee'
AT tile adjutant generals office it was
stated that Gen. McLewee would have
been dislonorably dismissed from the
service, only that this could not be done
charges be proven.
As Gov. MurtOn's term and AdJutant
General McAlpin.'s term both expire to-
night they thought il better to act in the
most summary manner possible, which was
for Gov. Morton to remove the Inspector
general.
Tie governor did not take long TO consider
tine question and acted at once.
Ftercest Fight for Years.
Thus ends the fiercest fight which has
disturbed the National Guard for years,
that which Gen. McLewee has waged
against Adjutant General McAlpn for tive
years.
Gen. McAlpin retires honorahly from
| from office as he was about to retire after
| twenty five years service.
Gen. McAlpin's friends say that since
Gen. McLewee was appointed Inspector
general two years ago he has devoted his
| energies to undermining Gen. McAlpin
among the Officers and members of the
| National Guard.
| Adjt Gen. McAlpin was a candidate
| for reappointnent as adjutant general by
| Governor r-elect Black.
zen McLcWee WAS also Cdhulddte LOT
| this position, and IL was claimed he had
succeeded in getting the Endorsement Of Il
large portion of the National Guard by
reason OF his official position.
| The strife between these two candidates
| became so bitter that GOvernor-elect Black
| thought il better for the interests of the
| guard not to recognize either side OF the
controversy, and he accordingly appointed
| his personal friend, c. Whitney TilIinghast
Of Troy, to he adjuta mt general.
| The excitement and interest shown in
Governor MortOn's action in this matter
| has not been equalIed about the capitol
| regarding any official action of the chief
| executive in years.
EUGENE Y. DEBS A SOCIALIST