The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-29
MAY SOON HAVE AN ELECTION.
NAVAL MILITIA ABOUT READY TO
Norm BATTALION.

der-Lieut. COlding May Withdraw
as Lieut.. BrOughton Has the Sup
port of characterization May
Disintegrate Second Division.
Lieut.. c. E. Broughton, of the Third d.
vision of the naval militia, was practically
nominated for leutenant-commander of
the battalion of naval militia, Georgia
Volunteers. at an officers meeting of the
second and third divisions held last night.
This question now being settled, will prob
ably call for an early election and forma-
ton of the battalion.
There has been considerable contention
among members of the Savannah divisions
as to who would be the nominee. In the
battalion there are three elective officers,
commander, acknowledgements and
navigator, and for a long while the cleo
ton has been held in allegiance on account
of a failure of the Savannah and Bruins
wick divisions to agree on what
offices should go to each respectively. A
former effort TO elect resulted in a tie,
which could not be voted off, and the
officers had therefore to adjourn without
bringing about any conclusion. But the
grim aspect of prospective war actuated
one of the officials 10 agitate an election,
which he did by happily suggesting that
as the different political parties in Con-
gress came together and voted $1,000, 600
for the President to use in war prepara-
lions, so should the divisions of the naval
militia come together, settle their differ
ences, elect officers and form the battal-
ion. With this suggestion the matter was
taken UP by the men with a view to Sc
Letting the man who should receive the
honors at this end of the line
1t was tacitly understood that the COM
membership should go to Lieut. Frank d.
Aiken of Brunswick, by reason of his Sc
niority in office, and the office of lieu.en-
ant commander was mutually agreed by
the divisions to be given a Savannah man.
The office of navigator is to be left until
more thorough understanding can he
had as to which city shall receive it. When
the decision was reached two officers an
nounced as candidates for lieutenant COM
mander. One of these was Lieut. II. S.
Colding, commanding the Second, and
the other was Lieut. c. r. Broughton of
NHS Allu IlNAStOls uSI6 was COIlSluEld-
bic feeling among the men, several of
whom made a choice on personal grounds,
but the most of them supporting the heads
of their divisions, those of the Second di-
vision standing by Lieut. Colding, while
those of the Third division, in the main,
favored Lieut.. Broughton A meeting of
the seamen and non-commissioned officers
recently voted on the question and largely
favored Lieut.. Colding, though it is un-
derstood Lieut. Broughton took no hand
in the meeting himself and did not ave
his friends there.
Matters were soon brought to a focus
when an official letter was received from
Bruins wick agreeing to vote solid for Sa-
vannahs nominee for lieutenant COM
mander. Naturally the men did not want
TO talk over last nights meeting, as many
were disappointed, and others did not
wish to vaunt over their success. But il
was gathered that Lieut.. Coldng called
the meeting to oroer when all the officers
had assembled in their quarters. The let
ter from Brunswick, containing the propo-
sition, was read and accepted. Lieut..
Colding then announced that nominations
were in order at which Ensign c. F.
Walker of the second division nominated.
Lieut.. Colding, while Lieut.. G. E. Dick
inson of the Third division nominated
Lieut.. Broughton. The first nomination
was seconded by Ensign ]. A. Thomas,
and the second by Ensign T. NJ Baker. A
vote was taken and The tie resulted, the
candidates voting for themselves and the
officers of their respective divisions voting
With them. There vas no nomination, and
the situation for a time appeared as
though the attempt to elect officers was to
be a repetition of the former failure.
Ensign T. NJ Baker at this juncture
sprung a surprise to many by stating that
he could authoritatively announce that
the eight officers of the Brunswick d.
visions would vote solidly for Lieut..
Broughton and in the interest of harmony
asked that Lieut.. Colding withdraw. To
this request no answer was made and a
motion to adjourn was carried without OPP
position. 1t was talked after the meet
ing however, that Lieut.. Colding would
resign, though he could not be seen to
deny or confirm the report. II is conceded
that Lieut.. Broughtons election is be-
yond question as with his present strength
he would receive twelve votes from the
divisions to Lieut.. Coldings four.
The effect can not be foretold, though
it is probable the second division will be
considerably depleted in the near future.
As a battalion election is new thing to
the men, many of them may have been
hasty in their declara ton to leave in the
event Lieut.. Colding was defeated Quite
number or the enllStmentS or the sec
ond division men expire March 81 so that
If they seriously entertain
such intentions, their with
drawal would not be impossible. The men
of each division naturally have a deep
interest in the promotion of their officers
and take the defeat very much to heart
As commanding officer of the two divis-
ions since March IA, 1896. Lieut. Colding
has made himself popular with the men
and the fact he did not succeed in getting
the nomination will be felt keenly by them
for some time to come.
Lieut.. Broughton. whose rank is the
same as that of Lieut.. Colding, has been
with the naval militia since its organiza-
ton in Savannah and has distinguished
himself by moving up in the ranks. His
prospective election as lieutenant com
mander Of the battalion will be a still high
err honor, and the men, at least those of his
division, sincerely hope his choice will
produce no rupture in the militia. Es-
pecially al this time their services are apt
to be called for and any disintegrating
moves would prove a serious blow to the
battalion.
WANT MORE BRICK PAVING.
ST, Julian street Property Owners to