Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-01
NATL GUARD WAR.
~ * StNv,urLy ENDED Bi GOV
EnsOR MORTON.
INSPECTOR GEN'h N'LEWEE REMOVED
Scverc Public Criticism on His F'rt
of superior Officers the Cause Oh
Aipin.

ALBANY. ~ Y. December 5l.-Gover-
nor Morton this afternoon. took summary
action and removed Frederick G. Nc
Lewce. Inspcctor-GcnerM or his STAFF.
from Office. and at the same time appointed
CAPTAIN Hoffman. Of Elmra 20 his place.
Captain Hoffman has already been APP
pointed TO serve as lnspector-General on
Governor Blacks stan.
Acknowledgement McAlpin arrived at
his Office to-day lie was very silent and
angry when no read Inspector-Geueral
McI.ewec's report for the past year. which
was published I'm this mornings papers
This report contained severe criticisms
of Governor Morton as commandments
chief. Admtant-Gencral McAlpin. and
brother officers. and aroused the wrath of
nearly every member OF the National
Guard I'm Albany. from Governor Morton
down.
Acknowledgement McAlDin Immediately
sought Governor Morton at ,hc Executive
chamber. The Governor had already read
General McLewoc's criticisms Of his sill
perior officers. and was about prepared
TO act. He Immediately promulgated am
order for General Hcl.ewec removal.
4 court-martial was suggested. but thls
was thought 20 he too SLOW procedure
especially as General MclcWee's service
I'm the Guard would havo ended Tonight
when ne goes ont of Office.
General McAlpin said to-day; me
regulations require that a renoft OF q
subordinate officer should be fled with
rfk
not done by General McLewee. He gave
the report out himself in New York. ana
took pains 10 point ont 10 the newspaper
men the superior officers against WhoW
mis- revcnqeful thrusts were aimed The
regulations also say that report con-
flaming criticisms of officers of the Guard
shall be- confidential Here there was dlso
"a violation by General Mclewee. He mas
also violated the regulations i'm many
other partculars His main violation,
however. was his disregard OF that Ifln-
cipal article Of war which PROMPTS
subordinate officer from criucislns a SUE
perior officer The Governor MS COM
nander-in-chlef took the most appro-
pirate action he could. under the c.rcum-
stances. ana removed General McLewee.
At The Adiutant-Gonerals office il was
stated that General McLewce would nave
been dishonorably dismissed from the
service. except that this could not pr
done until he should receive coNti-inai
tial trial and the charges Doe proven. ~
Governor MOrtOu's term and Adiutdnl-
General McAluin's term both expire to-
night. they thought 10 better TO act in the
most summary manner poSsInl "nlch
,,as for Governor Morton to remove the
Inspector-Gcneral The Govcrno" did not
take long 10 consider the question, hnt
acted at once
a FIERCE FIGHT
Thus ends the fercest feht which has
disturbed the National Guard for years
that which General McLewee BIAS Wasrh
AGAINST Adjutant-Gcueral McAlpin Tor
two years General McAipin rttirrs nom
orably from the Guard. and General NC
Lewee is removed from Office as he was
about 10 retire. after twenty-five years
service. General McAluin's friends SOW
that since General McLewee was a
pointed Inspector-GeneraL two years ago
he has devoted his energies o. under
MINING General McAlpin among the oii-
GERS and members of the National Guard.
Adiutant-Genoral McAlpin was candi-
date for reappoin;ment ass Adiutant-Gene-
raj by Governor-elect Black. General Nc
Lcwee was also candidate for this po-
sition. and it was claimed b. had sue
ceeded i'm getting the endorsement of
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 CON
trovcrsy. and he accordingly appointed
his personal friend. G.. Vs. Tulinghast
Second. of Troy. To be Adjutant-General
The excitement and interest shown I'M
Governor Aorton's action I'M This matter
has not been equalled about the Capitol
regarding any official action of the Chiet
Executive I'm years.