Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-06-23
MILITARY OFFICES
Have the Same Charm for Republican
Politicians as Civil Offices An Eff.
fort to Dust 0 'Brien Moore.

Special to the Register
Charleston, w. Va, June 22.-There
seems to be an effort on the part of
certain ambitious Republicans, with
military proclivities to squeeze Col.
O'Brien Moore out of the position of
lieutenant colonel Of the Second regi-
ment, an Office which has been tendered
him by Gov Atkinson, and to secure
the office for a good Republican. The
spectacle of a Democrat holding a
So, 0o0 office in the Second regiment at
ter the two best offices in the First reg
iment have been filled with Democrats,
presents spectacle too horrible for
Republican eyes to gaze upon. Gov.
Atkinson has been besleged for several
days with working Republicans" and
committees innumerable, who have
tried to point cut to the Governor the
extreme danger with which the coun-
try would be threatened II too many
Democrats were allowed to draw big
salaries IN the army. 1t would at any
rate, cause disturbance in the ranks Of
the Republican party, and that, they
say. is what the Governor should
avoid
The offices Of the First regiment were
filled, as every one knows, by rank and
the operation Of the rule of promotion.
General Spillman held the highest Of
fee in the national guard, that Of bril-
gade commander, and, of course, must
have the highest office in the regiment.
Col Smith being in command of the
First regiment of the National Guard,
and next in rank to General Spillman,
would. of course, rank next to him in
the new regiment and fall into the Office
Of lieutenant colonel. The placing of
these two officers was practically out
of control of the Governor. if the regu-
lar rule of rank and promotion were
observed. But the Governor is not
handicapped by such circumstance
in the formation of the new regiment.
and this explains the kick on the part
of certain Republicans against the APP
pointment of Col. Moore as lieutenant
colonel of the Second regiment. The
Governor was not considering politics
when he rendered the Office to Col
Moore. hnt his party associates look
at it differently The Republicans
really have no reason to complain
While the colonel and lieutenant colo
mel of the First regiment are Demo-
Gratis. fully two-thirds of the lower Of
fcers in the regiment and in the sever
al companies are filled by Republicans.
All three of the men slated for majors
in the new regiment are Republicans.
and over two-thirds Of those appointed
captains are the same way There can
be no ground for complaint on the part
of Republicans if Democrat should
be made the lieutenant colonel.
1t is sought to be made to appear by
those who are behind the movement
to displace Col Moore that it is en-
tirelv for personal reasons. not politi-
cal. that gresham Dayton and 9th
ers are fighting him, but that is found
to be untrue. There is no personal
fight here against Col Moore, and the
fact that it has been gwen out that
there would he no onposition to his be-
ing appointed major shows it is not
for personal reasons that he is sought
to be displaced. 1t is not likely that his
personal enemies would object to his
being commissioned lieutenant colo
mel but would consent to his being
made major The truth is the Office
is wanted for Republican will. with
cnt doubt. be nut into it,. a close
friend ~ the Governor has said that
he would be willing to tender the Office