The evening times., 1898-05-26

New York May 6.-Much comment ana
no little surprise have been caused by the
failure of President Mckinley to select
a major general or brigadier general from
the State OF New York. In view Of the
fact that the State furnishes the iarEesu
number OF troops, its quota being nearly
one-tenth of the entire number called ior'
the omission Of the President 20 recog-
nixe 1t in filling the higher military Of
fees at his disposal could not have faii-
ed to cause remark, had no application to
him for appointments been made.
Application was made, however. by
Gov. Black when he sent telegram to
President Mckinley announcing that New
York.s quota of the troops asked for IN
the first call was ready. The dispatcn
was as follows:
1.-The governor OF the State OF new
York tenders the twelve regiments call
ed for from this State as division Of
four brigades. and will be pleased to have
Charles Francis Roe appointed major
general, and Peter c. Doyle. Robert Shaw
Olive, McCoskry Butt and George Moore
Smith as brigadier generals. the positions
held by them in the State service Roe
Is a West Point graduate. and former Ar
my officer; Doyle Is a former volunteer
officer, war OF rebellion, and Olive Is a
former Army officer. The others have
seen long service in the National Guard
of this State"
Major General Roe's military record Of
fers no point Of objection. He organized
and built up the cavalry troops of the
Guard so that In case of emergency there
would be no such lack of efficient cavalry
officers as there was at the outbreak OF
the civil war. The other officers men,
toned in the governors dispatch are ac-
knowledged to be thoroughly competent
to receive appointments.
President Mckinley. instead OF granting
Governor Blacks request, offered an ap-
pointment as major general to Grenvilie
n. Dodge. 1t was refused because Cen
eral Dodge is more than seventy years
old. or past the retiring age of Army OH.
GERS.
This is the only recognition that New
York has received. while nearly every
other State in the Union has obtained ap.
pointments. OF the officers of the Guard
Captain Putnam Bradiee Strong, the sor
of former Mayor Strong. personal FRIEND
of the President. has been appointed or
the staff of General Merritt to go to the
Philippines with his Guard rank of cap
tain. Major Avery w. Andrews has beer
made chief auartermaster. with rank OF
lieutenant colonel. No other special rec.
ognition has been given.
While others have besieged Washington
for appointments, Major General Roe ant
the four brigadier generals recommended
by Governor Black have been busy pre-
pairing the volunteers of the Guard fol
service Having accomplished their task
| they are left without employment by tn,
| departure OF the regiments for the front
Gen.. Roe left Camp Black yesterday
1 H1y. ~F r. De-. IL
1 Army. and from another State. will TAX
| his place in command. 1t is the opinion
| of those competent to Judge that Gen
Roe acquitted himself well of q Difficult
task. and his present enforced idlenes
is regretted.
While the men who have served long II
the National Guard have been left higl
and dry. II is predicted that Col. Fred
erick D. Grant will receive the appoint
ment of major general which Gov Blacl
asked for Gen. Poe. It is said that Col
Grants appointment in the Guard wa.
not popular with the officers of longel
service. and that. In consequence, he hat
much to contend with while he. was a
Camp Black. 1t is even said that h,
made application at Washington to be or
dered away as soon as possible. Their,
would certainly be criticism Of his pro
motion. Senator Platt favors his an
pointment.
1t is said that the friends Of Brig
Gen. Louis Fitzgerald, retired. are urgint
his appointment as major general. ant
that he has a powerful backing in tn,
business part of the city.
1t is asserted that on the occasion o.
his recent visit to Washington Governor
Black took occasion to urge that the com
| missions which he had recommended b,
| conferred Nothing. however. has com,
| of this renewed request. and New York,
generals are on the shelf.