The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-29
UPON M'KEE
GOVERNOR AND MILITIA OFFICERS
STAND STRONGLY By HIM.
correspondence with Senator Fair
5anks-PetitiOn Sent to the Press
ident Last Evening.


Col. Henry w. Lawton, United States army,
formerly of Indiana, was to be appointed
brigadier general of the Indiana troops.
aroused the Indignation of Governor Mount.
In discussing the situation yesterday he
said: 1T shall not be Will j. Mckee will
be in command Of whatever troops of the
Indiana National Guard are sent to the
front. ] have received no intimation Off
cially that Colonel Lawton was to re-
ceive the appointment and do not believe
it is true. But if such thing is thought
of | say it shall not be. 1t would be an
insult to the whole of the Indiana National
Guard 1t would be the death of the In
diana National Guard in the future. Gen.
Mckee has been connected with the guard
for twenty years. working himself up from
the ranks by merit and seniority to the COM
mand of the brigade. If this is not to be
recognized what reward is there to hold out
to a man to be loyal and jealous mem
Der Of the guard? These men have stuck
with the Indiana National Guard through
thick and thin. They have served at times
when they We're Kissed and jeered. They
have served the State at times when labor
organizations have passed resolutions de-
nouncing them. But they felt that they were
right; they had the law on their side and
were supporting the Constitution of the
State and the oath TO which they swore.
Through all this they had d shadowy pros
pect that some day there would come
time when there might be something more
than petty internal affairs to occupy their
attention. Now that it has come, how I'M
just it would be to have an outsider come
in and take the place of the man who has
earned the right to command the brigade.
1t is unreasonable and l say it shall not
be-"
The rumor that it was probable that
other man was to take command of the
Indiana brigade reached Camp Mount early
yesterday morning and caused consterna-
ton among the militiamen. from the high
est officers down to the 'rawest" recruits.
At o'clock the field officers of the four
regiments held a meeting and entered
formal protest against any such a change
of affairs in the following petition directed
to President Mckinley:
we, the undersigned officers of the In
diana National Guard, assembled in Camp
Mount, Indianapolis, Ind, respectfully rep
resent and show that Brigadier General
viii ]. Mckee has been in command of
all Indiana's military organizations in the
field since commissioned as such, in 1882;
that he is Il thoroughly equipped soldier,
having devoted much of his time to his
native State in this capacity during twenty
years in which he has occupied every posi-
and withal Is strict discipllnarian and
gentleman that we have. absolute conf
dence in his ability perfectly to fill any
position to which the service of our country
might call him, in which firm confidence we
are confirmed by the opinions of all the Off
GERS of the regular army of the United
States of America who have been stationed
with our troops, and believing that nothing
is so conducive to the efficiency of an army
In the field as an absolute and implicit con-
hdence abiding with the rank and file in
the ability and confidence of their COM
mander, and knowing that such is the feel
ing that now exists. for General Mckee,
we further respectfully represent that his
relief from this command would demoraliZe
our troops and ruin our esprit de corps,
which has been carefully nourished for
years;
Wherefore We most respectfully pray
your Excellency to so act in your wisdom
as to maintain him as the highest ranking
officer accredited to the State of Indiana,
and most respectfully insist on this request,
in so far as such insistence is respectful"
This petition was sent to Governor Mount
and through him was transmitted to Wash
ington. Governor Mount also made an
earnest appeal to the President for the APP
pointment of General Mckee, urging the
reason given in his statement made above.
The petition and the recommendation of
Governor Mount were intrusted to Colonel
Russell B. Harrison, member of the Gov
ernor's staff. He started for Washington
yesterday and expects to place the docu-
ments in the hands of the President by to-
night. Governor Mount is in earnest
about the appointment of General Mckee.
He believes the appointment of any other
person would cause the Indiana National
Guard to go to pieces. Certain it is that
many of the commissioned officers would
resign. They have so expressed themselves
If they go the members of their regiments
and companies will refuse to be mustered
into the United States service. Governor
Mount wired Senator Fairbanks yesterday
as follows:
"Lawton is an absolutely unknown GUAM
ttty in Indiana. His selection would dis
test vigorously against his appointment 1t
must not be. / cannot consent to the APP
polntment of Lawton for the office of brig
adler general. He has no identity with m
diana. If the powers that be insist on his
preferment, we may as well at once aban-
don the camp and disband the troops
To this Senator Fairbanks responded:
Is ne favored by you? May be advisable to
act Immediately, so will be obliged for any
suggestion in advance Of messenger
And Governor Mount wired back the fol-
lowing message:
II respectfully insist on the appointnent
OF William j. Mckee as brigadier general
lie has earned, and is Justly entitled TO
this consideration. Any departure from this
RECOMMENDATION would be suicidal, so far
as the Indiana National Guard is concerned
l earnestly insist upon his appointment
A.