New-York tribune., 1898-01-01
est Side brigade would include:

Squadron A. with l65 officers and men. and the
LIST Signal Corps with forty men. could be placed 10
good advantage with the Eastern brigade.
The retirement of General Fitzgerald, while IL will
always be source of regret to the members OF the
brigade will have tendency hasten the divi
sion, and for that reason the wise look for the
appointment OF two new brigadiers Sraws point
in the direction Of the list and 18th regiments for
the honors, and II II is really true that General
Tillinghast has abandoned the fight for the two
star places New-York may soon have a major
general also, in the person OF Charles F. Roe. Of
Squadron A.
well-informed guardsman said: The appoint
ment of Butt and Greene TO command the new
brgades would make the chances Of General Robert
Shaw Oliver for the majO -gereralshp better. be-
the country troops would naturally think
that three general commissions for NewYork at
ono time would be little too much honor"
Colonel William Seward, OF the 9th Regiment. the
senior officer Of the brigade when seen yesterday
afternoon expressed great regret at General Fitz-
gerald's intention to retire. and said that It would
be a great loss the guard. General Fltzgeralds
long connection with it had led him thoroughly 10
understand 1t and It's needs. General Fitzgerald
had been largely instrumental in bringing the Ma
tonal Guard to its present state or efficiency
Colonel Seward said: IT is impossible 10 predict
what effect the retirement will have. II has been
proved that no man IS ever necessity 0, leaves a
complete vacancy behind him. and Yet an I'M
portant piece OF the machinery has been taken
away and 1t is possible for catastrophe to fol-
Colonel Seward was heartily in accord with Cen
era Fitzgeralds suggestions as to .eorganzatlon
with the exception Of the one reading that the
organized into battalons and regiments.
Colonel Seward said he had talked with officers
they thought the present organization would prove
more effective than to change II. General Fitz-
sugrcs,ons tb the Command Of the
Guard be separated from the Executive at Albany
ar di ali hS he troops had been formed into
vision. The Governor IS now the Commander-n-
the manifold duties of his office, he OF necessity
delegates much Of the work In connection with tho
National Guard to the Adjutant General. which has
had the effect of practically making that officer the
head Of the organization"
In case the rank of major-general Is created. II
would be appointive by the Governor. subject to
confirmation by the Senate, but Colonel seward
hy 10 hrigades OF the Guard. as by This means
politics would not enter into the question, and com.
peent officers would not cnanse with change or
Colonel seward expressed opinion as, to Cen
mander-in- Chiefs staff. or as TO dividing the bri-
gade saying he had not considered them SUM-
Colonel Seward then went to say emphaticaly
he dd not think the business part OF the e. co bc
National Guard or took great enough interest In
the organization This. he said. was proved by the
personal observation. where employers had toId
employees that il they enlisted in the National a
cbnree MANY members OF the Guard. he contin-
ued we're hampered in the dschaTse Of Their hnn dTeS
BY The fact that. while the city had been steadily
Increasing in growth the percentage OF young men
.aj.ino Tho Guard had been steadily decreasing.
OF ali the regiments forming the First briga9e, To
LIE ~ avery regiment should not only be full, he
said but each should have waiting list In case OF
go ~ other troubles the Guard would be or IN,
Iiv,;Soohla henent 10 the business interests. ana
,Sot Ear from discouraging their employees from
Joining employers should IN every way en'ou''s7
them. ,...,o, r-,,,oarord do
nanded on many conditions the Colonel said' sluc,
,ba hrigode might be divided which wouIn en.ah
the appointment OF two brigediers instead OF
..1,hn Governor Will appoint General fltzgeIau,
neeor said Colonel Seward ana II Is III nis a.
power to appoint the brgader himself cer @t The
-. tba First brigade 70 elect their own onc.i i"0
iacti,,e " nr,nciple has prevailed in past cases