New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-01
MLEWEE HITS BACK.
SOME SHARP TALK ABOUT THE GOV
ERNOR AND HIS ADVISERS.
LIVELY COMMENT on ADIUTANT- GENERAL
GENERAL. STANDS RY ALI. HE SAID

MAIPIN AND O1IIERS-TIIE LATE INSPECTOR
GENERAL STANDS Ply ALL HE SAID
N HIS REPORT.
Tho removal OF Brigadier-General McIewee was
the all-absorbing topic Of conversation in National
Guard circles yesterday, and. while some officers
contcnded that the proceeding was Illegal ana that
General McLewee could not be deprived of his star
except after a court-martia II was held by others
that Governor Morton's action was perfectly proper
As the Justice Of the action there was. OF course
n difference OF opinion. many officers sympathizing
with General McI.ewee and even some who had
suffered under his critical report said that his CON
scentious and painstaking performance OF the
duties Of his office deserved a better reward
General McLewee was not OF the number who con-
s,dered his removal Illegal He said 1.-The Governor
had perfect right under Section Article NJ OF the
Constitution OF the State to remove me. Any com
nent that may now make is as private citizen.
While I do not question his right TO remove me,
feel that am the victim OF injustice. Nothing In
connection with my report has been done which
would not do again. ! have served for twenty-five
wears and regret that at the last stage this action
should have been taken; but much as 1t grieves me
I say again that If knew that my removal would
be tho consequence would write my report again
just as did write 1t.
Il am surprised that Governor Morton has taken
this action because 1t Is the first time that he has
cvnced the remotest interest In the National Guard
Two messages to the Legislature contain not one
word to the 1900 men who compose the Natiohai
Guard; he never even made mention OF the service
rendered in Brooklyn during the trolley strike.
During all that time he has intrusted the conduct
of the National Guard to men who were known to
he incompetent and who were not criticised openly
by their fellow officers. only because that would
have been an infraction Of military discipline II
the armories and meeting places could tell what mas
been said between their walls. the State or New
York would resound with ridiclie OF the officers
rl,a napar time Mt M
Inspector General conducted on military prin-
cpes and the result that rs chief incurred the
crmity Of the make believe soldiers.
NO ATTENTION PAID TO 1T.
"As an evidence Of the Governors anxiety to see
that discipline was maintained would like to call
attention to the fact that ten months ago asked
in an official communication TO have tho 18th Sep
arate Company OF Poughkoepsie disbanded. Not
only has the company not been disbanded. but the
communication never officially acknowledged
The two politicians. Governor Morton and General
McAlpn were afraid to take action: one wanted
70 he President OF the United States. the other
wanted ANYTHING from VicePresident TO a pair OF
eold-strlped pants The fact that wanted to do
nv duty without regard to politics was miscon-
strued as antagonism to the powers at the top.
Il feel more pity than resentment toward the
Governor whose advisers are 10 blame lie had
McAlpn. who was forced TO resign from the 1th
mand OF the list Regimen, never drilled it. and
when in camp with his regiment never came from
under canvas In the daytime but took the dress
parade every evening with all the fuss and feathers
and who when he was Informed that he would be
expected TO drill his command in the encampmcnt
of 1871 resigned n few days before camp opened
Then there Major james H. Burbank.
l. s A. who was sent by the War Department to
observe the work Of the National Guard. If Gov
ernor Morton had ever seen him during the fifty
DAYS camp of last year he would possibly have
stricken him from his roll of advisers.
1T seems ridiculous that General McAlpn should
speak in criticisng way OF my performance of
duty when a book might be written on the viola
lions that he has been guilty OF. to many of which
called his attention. but to purpose. The chief
objection to my report is that in which refer to
the military code and regua lions Under this head
say in part:
THE permission given the 2sd and list regiments
10 discard the State service uniforms Is a violation
Of the law that is serious to contemplate. and
that cannot be overlooked by any Interpretation
thereof. The work Of years devoted 10 bringing he
National Guard TO a state OF uniformity in matters
of dress and equipment seems about to be lost by
this violation OF the military code. and the ulti-
mate result will be. II this policy be continued. to
find the National Guard where 1T was more than
fifteen years ago. and when ordered on duty by the
Commander-n-Chef, as prescribed In VI. C., 1o4 1t
Will present an inconsruous. unsatisfactory appear
''The criticisms about the uniforms of the Gov
crnor's stan seem also to have been particularly
dstastcfu. but they were just
DoINGs AT STATE CAMP
among the irregularities which are not men
toned IN my report. and for which General Nc
Alpin cannot escape responsibility. the use OF
liquor In camp Headquarters Row. with the ex-
ception OF Colonel Story's tent. rcscmblcd great
harroom and the condition became so bad that II
finally extended to ordcrles and servants. and in
toxicaiion was the order of The day: and the blind
ncss OF the Aduant General to this IN strange
contrast to his prominence in temperance ana
church movements.
..In one respect General McAlpin war power. In
which none OF his stan associates could reach him.
lie was "A apeechnakcr and he wanted the world
10 know II. His efforts eclipscd Mrs Darlington,
Mrs Maaprop and Tim Campbell combined. lie
was fond OF speaking OF the Governor Ills
Honor the Chief Executor"
"In one speech he gained applause by saying OF
covernor Morton: When he dies his name will go
down to prosperity aIr at one dinner the STAFF
members had 10 chew their pkine when no said: