The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-06
GOVERNOR TALKS TO WASHINGTON.
Equipment of TrOOps-QuestiOn OF
Mckee's Appointment.

Governor Mount yesterday sent a tele-
gram to the War Department and after
wards wrote long letter. asking Informal
ton to the equipment of Indiana troops
with arms. Late in the afternoon a tele-
gram came from Washington, but it did
not give much light the matter of equip
ments, except TO suggest that acquisitions
be made at once on the War Department
for Krag-Jorgensen rifles for the infantry
men and 3.1-inch breech-loading field pieces
for the artillery. 1t is not expected that
any of this equipment will be turned over
to the Indiana troops until they reach
the place of rendezvous, some time next
week.
The Governor had a talk over the
long-distance telephone with Senator Fair
banks, at Washington, but owing to diff
cuties in the telephone service he was I'M
able to have a satisfactory conversation
The senator still expressed hope in the APP
pointment of General Mckee. A private
telegram received from another source in
Washington last night said: "McKee's APP
pointment is not hopeless, but it is best to
suggest to the Governor to leave open a
colonelcy for him." Since some doubt has
arisen in the last few days as to the ulti-
mate appointment of General Mckee, the
siderable pressure is being brought to bear
on the President to have him appoint reg
uar army officers to these commanding
positions, there is talk at the Statehouse
and camp of commissioning General Nc
Kee as colonel of one of the regiments, al
though it is not exactly apparent where he
could be stationed without causing compli-
cations to arise. The four colonies now in
command are anxious to serve their coun-
try, and naturally would be disinclined to
relinquish their commands. Colonel Pen
nington, of the First, is at his home suffer-
ing from broken leg.
General Mckee, in speaking of the tardi-
ness of news Of whether or not he would
be appointed hrigadier general, said: Il am
not worrying about my commission. l am
more anxious about placing my friends who
have worked for years in the period during
which the Indiana troops have been brought
to their present high plane than L am about
my own personal interests"
Late last evening the adjutant generals
office gave out a numDer~of appointments,
and among them was the following:
George III. Pennington, to be quarter
master of the First Regiment, with rank of
first lieutenant"
George H. Pennington was colonel of the
First Regiment and on one of the first days
of the camp his horse fell on him and broke
his leg. He was sent to his home at New
Albany. The appointment, therefore, Gre
ated considerable surprise, and in order
that it be made sure though it was veri-
fled at the adjutant generals office, Gov
IL, IL
telephone. The Governor said that he did
not recall any such appointment, though
the name was recommended to him. When
he was told that the name was the same
that of Colonel Pennington, the Governor
said: "Oh, Colonel Pennington! and then
became silent 1t was seen without delay
that the Governor did not want to talk
about the appointment, and the CONVERSE
ton ceased.
This appointment, when coupled with
statement that a colOnelcy is being held
open for Gen. Mckee, in order that he may
be provided for in case he should fail of
being appointed brigadier general, and
when added to the report from Washington
that the appointment for which General
Mckee waits is still in doubt, strengthens
tbority that when the Indiana Brigade
leaves for the front next week some other
man than General Mckee will be general.
The doubt of General McKees appointment
has not existed at camp in any quarter, I'M
less 1t was kept particularly secret, since
the strong influences were brought to bear
upon the President in favor of Mckee, and
he expected to hear of his nomination any
hour yesterday. If the appointment is not
made it will be a great surprise to Camp
Mount.
A dispatch received by the Journal from
it's Washington correspondent at midnight
says:
Lawton to a brigadier generalship has no
bearing whatever and does not in the slight
est degree affect the prospects of General
Mckee, of Indianapolis, as many fear it
might. The President does not take States
into account in promoting officers of the
regular army. Professional soldiers lose
their identity residents of States when
they enter the service They belong to the
whole country Nothing is certain in poll
tics or in appointments until a thing is
done, but it can be said Of General Mckee
that his nomination for brigadier general
is as certain as anything can be that has
not been done, but is to be. Appointments
from civil life may not be made for some
little time however, certainly not until the
State volunteers are formally accepted into
the service of the federal government"