Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-05-28
scHEA1E OF POLITICIANS.
Hampton People Criticize the Election
of Capt. Terrell Major of the Fourth.

Hampton People Criticize the Election
OF capt. Terrell Major of the Fourth.
A high tide OF indignation swept
through Hampton Thursday night
when the news was received that Cap
tain Hope had been defeated in the
contest for major of the Fourth reg1-
ment In view of the fact that for
long time he has ranked first in the
line Of promotion, to say nothing of HIS
qualifications for the position, which
are admitted by all who know. him, his
| friends here Confidently expected that
he would carry, off the honor. Indeed
it was the certainty which they felt
that any fairly conducted contest must
end in his favor. that gave birth to the
sharp comment which was heard OF all
sides yesterday morning. But II any.
thing were needed to intensity the
caustic character of these utterances
| it was supplied in the statement. which
| became current at an early hour, that
Captain Hopes claims upon the ONCE
could not be considered because ne IS
so unfortunate as to be nonresident
| of the city Of Norfolk. This sent the
cauldron of indignation to the boiling
point in short order and long before
| noon talk of a public meeting began Co
| be heard. Such a step may take place
at an early date. in which case the
| military sharp of the Peanut City and
|
at least be treated to some vigorous
expressions of opinion. A
| No one here doubts that Captain
| Terrell owes his advancement to
| scheme devised and carried out by
| cunning politicians, and that they We're
aided by high State officials In Rich
mond Even Governor Tyler before
whom Hon. E. E. Montague ana others
from this city laid the plain facts OF
the case, is severely criticized by men
| who were front and foremost In ad-
vancing his election. 1t may be, how
ever, that this criticism is premature
At all events, it Is not known that the
governor took any part in the consplE-
acy alleged to have been devised &c
overthrow Captain Hope. But pc ina,
as it may, Democrats of the greatest
prominence in this city will continue tt
hold him under suspicion until he shall
have furnished satisfactory evidence
Of his innocence.
Attorney S. Gordon Cumming, VINO II
| we'll versed in the methods OF proceed
ure prevailing in the regular army II
the matter Of promotions, SAID yester
day morning that the election or cap
tain Terrell was not in harmony Will
military usage. Had 1t occurred befor'
! the men were mustered into the service
| OF the United States the case Wouit
be different and the proceedings woui'
have to be accepted as having beel
conducted in accordance with law. Blu
, the moment Company D. by the en-
listment OF its members in the regula
service, lost its identity as g. State or
ganization. 1t became subject to tn
rules governing the United State
army. Captain S. B. Wood, Sheriff
| Curtis, William Westwood and othe
!, well informed veterans. who have kel
: pace with the changes In military OF
q CARNATIONS regarding promotions
! view the question in the same tight.
o the position assumed by these gentle
q men Is correct. the commissioned off
: GERS Of the Fourth regiment had n
q right whatever to- go into the electio
q of a successor to Major Hodges III
Il rankink captain OF I the egiment Swa