The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-05
NAVAL RESERVES IN A. STEW.
LACK OF HARMONY MAY LEAD TO
DISRUPTION OF TIE BATTALION.


and Those of Lieut.. BrOushton at
Odds-Queer Proceeding in Black
baIIing an Applicant for Member
ship by the Third Division After
Lieut.. BroughtOn Ordered His Men
Not to VOte-The Reaction of the
ACCOMPLISHMENTS Rivalry Up
on Savannah.
There was a hot time at the meeting of
the Savannah naval reserves last night.
The differences which have been brewing
in the ranks of the naval militia on ac-
count of the selection of lieutenant COM
mander for battalion cropped out and the
evidences of dissension were so plain that
many members predict the dissolution OF
the Savannah divisions.
The readers of the Morning News are
already familiar TO a considerable degree
with the trouble of the naval reserves.
1t had its beginning in the rivalry between
the Savannah and Brunswick divisions.
With two divisions at each place there was
an equal balance of power between the
two cities. When it was undertaken TO
organize the four divisions into a battalion
both Brunswick and Savannah naturally
wanted the first officer or commander OF
the battalion, Brunswick naming Lieut.
F. D. Aiken and Savannah naming Lieut..
II. S. Colding, the ranking reserve officers
in the respective cities. Brunswick claim
ed the office by right of precedence, the
first naval reserve division having been
organized there. Savannah claimed 1t by
right of being the principal seaport, also
claiming that there were a larger number
of men in the divisions here and that
they were in better position to support
the rank of the commanding officer and
his staff
The cruise and encampment of the naval
reserve last year added fuel to the flame
by reason of the structures made upon the
Brunswick divisions by the naval inspect
ing officer. The Brunswickians charged
these unfavorable criticisms to the infiu-
ence of Lieut.. Colding, and since then
the latter's name has been Dennis with
the Brunswick people
On account of the inability of the officers
Of the two cities to agree the organiza
49, - NAAS pottebiiOi mas DScH postponed
from time to time, but has now been def
nitely ordered for next Tuesday. Two
of the officers of the Savannah naval re-
serves having rendered their designations
some time ago, the Savannah divisions
were at a disadvantage, though it was
subsequently agreed to hold up the ac-
ceptance of the designations pending the
election n ba ir,tn -
Colding agreed to accept the second posi-
ton in the battalion, giving the first to
brunswick, and for this position it was
understood that he would have the full
support of the Savannah officers. In the
meantime word had been received from
brunswick that the officers of the two
divisions there were so sore on Lieut.. Cold
ing that they would not vote for him for
any Office and negotiations were set on
foot to place Lieut.. c. p. Brouvhton
OF the third division in sec
ond place. 1t seems that T,ieut
Broughton and the officers of his
division agreed to this holding that If
would be impossible to elect Lieut.. Cold
ing.
AT the meeting of Monday night of last
week the vote for lieutenant comma nder
was tie. each candidate receiving four
lent
Broughton's division suggested that Lieut.
Colding retire in the interest of harmony
AT previous meeting Lieut. Broughton
mad exhibited a letter received by him
from Brunswick, guaranteeing him the
eight votes from that city in return for
one vote for commander and navigator
the latter being the third officer TO be
elected, for Brunswick. This proposition
Lieut.. Broughton spoke of as insulting.
a NJ eli fN,~
which was granted,
AT the meeting last night Lieut.. Colding
who presided as senior officer. announced
that he had rendered his resignation as
commander of the Second division to the
Governor Lieut.. Broughton's election as
lieutenant commander of the battalion
which seems probable, and the acceptance
of Lieut.. Coldings resignation, will leave
both the Savannah divisions without COM
,mandlng officers, and il is feared that in
the present state of dissension the result
viii be very disastrousoto the battaiicn.
Lieut. ColdIng's men have warmly cham
pioned his cause, and they claim that they
have the sympathy of many of the men
in Lieut.. Broushton's division, though the
majority of the men there have naturally
supported their own commander.
The differences came out very conspicu-
uously In the matter OF the election of
hiVhibtiS last night. Inc TWO divisions
hold their meetings together. the senior
officer presiding, but In the election of new
members only the division votes In which
The applicant applies for membership. One
name was uD having been read at the
previous meeting under the rules. The
name was read out, and Lieut. Coldine
directed the balloting to proceed. The ap-
p.icant was for Lieut.. Broughton's divis,
ion, and Lieut. Broughton announced.
without giving his reasons for doing So
that he did not care 10 have the name
balloted on. Lieut.. Colding ordered the
balloting to proceed anyway, the rules
having been complied with. Lieut.. Brough-
ton thereupon ordered his men not TO
vote. Instead of obey,ng this order when
the boxes were passed nearly every man
voted a black ball Ii is said that all the
black balls were exhausted. The applicant
was the unfortunate victim of cbrcuna.
stances. Lieut.. Colding's men claimed that
the men Of Lieut.. Broughton's division
voted in this manner to show their dis,
approval of their commanders action. Az
any rate Lieut.. Broughton, it was stated.
reduced two of his subordinate officers to
ranks after the meeting for insubordlna-
ton.
The meeting is said to have sadly lacked
in harmony and to have been somewhat
bosterous. Many of the members pre-