Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1897-01-16

lam Austin. The cavalry battalion has
two troops In ChicagO-A and C-cOm-
handed by Capts. Paul Il. Limo and
Metellus l.. G. Funkhouser.
Brlgadler General Harris A. Wheeler
Ii an appOintee of ex-GOv. Altgeld. In
politics he II a Republican. and at one
time was colonel of the I'd infantry. In
business he is secretary to n. X. Fair.
bank. When appointed to the command
OF the brigade he was out of the mill
tary service Of the State. and succeed
cd Gen. Charles Fitz Simons. who had
been the brigade commander for years.
hut who was removed by Gov. Altgeld
FOR political reasons. Gen. Fitz Simd1is
Mt one time commanded the LIST infan-
try. and Is the senior member Of the
Fitz Simons &'Connell Company.
Brigade commanders In Illinois are
appointed by the Governor direct and
hold their commissions during his
pleasure. Vacancies occur only through
resignation. removal or death. Gen.
Fitz Simons served through three adj.
ministrations.
With the election of Gov. Tanner Il Ii
said that friends of Gei,. Wheeler inter-
ested themselves and cxerted their in
fluence to secure his retention. 1t was
represented TO the Governor that Gen.
Wheeler was n Republican and that he
had contributed to the Republican CAM
pnign fund. although he had taken no
active part In the campaign. To this 1t
Ii alleged the Governor intimated that
such passive measures did not appeal
very strongly to him. and that the cir
cunnstances of Gen. wheeler's appoint.
mcnt did not incline him to continue
him In office. II was also given out and
is common talk In Springfield that the
other two brigade commanders are to
he removed.
Who will succeed Gen. Wheeler IL a
matter Of conjecture. II Gen. Fitz
SimOns will accept the place he may
have 1t. according to good authority.
When asked about the matter, he snid
that lie was not looking for the com.
mand Of the brigade, and did not think
he would care to take the position II 1t
were offered. He thought 1t would be
proper to give 1t to younger man, but
admitted that some of his friends had
been urging him to accept the place II
rendered. Continuing. Gen. Fitz SimOns
said.
IL don't wish to talk about this mat
ter. I am Indifferent. There IL no
honor or glory In the place for me. It
Is true that some Of my friends urged
me to accept the place, II rendered, but
It has not been directly rendered to me.
and don't know anything about the
rumors regarding the appointment.
Gov. Tanner will undoubtedly All the
place to his satisfaction when he IL
ready"
1t Is definitely known that the friends
Of Gen. Fltx SimOns IRE anxious to
have him accept the command Of the
First Brigade. One Of them said:
II know that Gen. Fltx SlmOns can
have the place II he will but signify his
willingness to accept the position. Ht
ought to take 1t for the good of the
guard, and know that his old stan
will be glad to serve under him once
more. The Generals prominence In af
fairs makes him peculiarly strong
man.
"rhe matter of reservation for mill
tary purposes OH the lake front vii
soon be an interesting subject, and thu
General would be the man to get tn,
best settlement for armory purposes
His war record and his success as ,
brigade commander make him the idea
man for the position, and his friend
think that he should set aside his per
sOnal lnclinations and take up the wOrl
for the benefit Of the Illinois Nationa
Guard. He has had every honor tn
organization could offer, and It Is nov
time that he reciprocates and honor
the orga nlzation."
| Col. Henry Il. Maxwell, a close pei
sOnal friend Of Gen. Fitz SlmOns, an,
formerly assistant adjutant general o
the First Brigade, has been mentiOne
rs brigade commander, In the event o
the General absolutely refusing to nc
cept the position. He said that h
would be willing to serve under Ger
Fitx SimOns again, but wished to sc
his former chief accept the position.
To succeed Gen. Welch, of the Thir'
Brigade are mentioned Brig. Gen. VIII
lam G. Clendennln, Of Moline, and Col
Fred Bennitt, Of Joliet. Gov. Fife
made Clendennln third brigade com
mander before he went out Of Office
and Gov. Altgeld removed him almos
Immediately after his Inauguration
Col. Bennitt Ia a Democrat and com
mands the Third Infantry. He was al
active advocate Of sound money durinl
the campaign and supported McKinle!
and Tanner. He Is a lawyer by profes
sion, and was ut one time prosecuting
attorney Of VIII County.