New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-20
FIGHT OVER MAJOR SMITH.
PAPERS OF FOUR OFFICERS WHO FAVOR
HIM FOR COLONEL HELD BACK.
THEIR EXAMINATION POSTPONED. WHEN,
1T is ALLEGED. THEIR VOTES WOULD
HAVE MADE HIS ELECTION SURE.

HAVE MADE HIS ELECTION SURE.
Much discussion marked the closing phases yes
terday Of the canvass for colonel OF the list Reg
ment a result Of the discovery by the sup
porters OF Major Clinton H. Smith that the papers
In the Of the four newly elected officers had
not reached the Brigade Examining Board II be-
came known yesterday that the Board met a
couple Of nights ago prepared 10 examine the four
officers so that they might receive their commits
sons from Albany in time vote at the election
for colonel tonight. The officers presented them
selves promptly before the Board. but were sur
prised to learn that their papers had not been sent
to the Board and that their examination would
have TO he postponed.
BY the failure Of the four officers TO be examined
Major Smith loses the chance of having their votes
recorded for him tonight. The four officers con-
cerned Lieutenants True and Blauvelt OF Com
pany K, and Boynton and Halliday, of Company F..
all of whom fought at San Juan. They were elected
November s. II not till after their election
that It positively known that they would vote
for Major Smith. With their the Major count
ed having a clean majority over all opposition,
and his friends were indignant yesterday when they
learned that the papers had not reached the Board.
One OF the anti-Smth faction said yesterday
when asked about the delay in forwarding the
papers to the Brigade Board: "Regimenta or Bri-
gade headquarters have right to take their time
In forwarding papers. long as they do not ex-
haust the legal limit. They have large eeway
Of time. that all errors can be corrected. Most
papers have errors and must be corrected before
being sent to the Brigade Examining Board. OFTEN
papers get far Brigade headquarters before
errors discovered. Then they have to be sent
back to Regimental headquarters for rectihcation.
II there has been any delay in getting these papers
before the Examining Board there Is no doubt 1t
caused by errors"
A statement by Lieutenant Charles +. Boynton,
one OF the four officers caused much comment yes
terday wherever Ii discussed 1t Is as follows:
las I seem to be considered in some quarters as
the principal witness against Major Smith, Il wish
10 say that what | saw of Major Smith at san
Juan In wise reflects upon him. | was sent from
the top Of San Juan hill the night OF the first day
fight to convey a message from General Kent to
Colonel Downs. Night had practically settled down
on lines the hill and firing ceased when
left the hill with the message. The only firing was
being done by the sharpshooters OF the Spanish
trail that Colonel Downs and Major Smith were
or groups OF men passing to and fro II was IN the
trail that Conole Downs. and Major Smith were.
| was only minute behind them in the trail. IL
was then dark, and they were gathering their men
together for the night. They could not have been
running away then. for the hghting was all over
for the day. Nothing that | saw In any way re-
fected Major Smith. Several times during the
day him coolly walking up and down the line
under a CALLING fire. and one man died In his arms.
Should another break out should be proud to
Join command under Major Smith,.