The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-02-25
MILITIA CHANGES.
Proposed Reorganization Of
the National Guard
Creates Comment.
TO ABANDON CAVALRY
Rumors That the Number
of State Regiments Nay
Be Reduced to Four.

From the Newark Call of last Sunday.
TIL most absorbing State theme at the
present time is the changes in he Ma
tional Guard. The election of General w.
J. Sewell to be division commander means
a number of changes within the Guard,
and on his acceptance is contingent the
reorganization of the National Guard of
the State
General Sewell was notified by teie-
graph last Tuesday that he was nominate
ed and confirmed, and he acknowledged
the telegram, but as not yet formally
accepted the honor. Everything in mill
tary matters hinges on that acceptance.
General Sewell is expected at the State
House on Monday afternoon. He is COM
ing to Trenton to attend the reception of
the Republican Club. 1t is understood
here that he will be on hand to confer
with the. Governor on his future plans for
the National Guard.
All the National Guard information at
this time is speculation, and that ac-
counts for the many contradictory stories
in circulation. There are some minor
plans that are define, and which those
in authority do not hesitate to discuss.
They are, not official statements, put in
the opinion of military officials, they are
most likely to happen. General SeWell is
the big energetic ''if'' that enters into all
discussions, and until he unbosoms him
self, something must continue to be spec
ulatiye. Governor VOORHEES, most en-
phatically denies the stories that the Ma
tional Guard is demoralized and reouced
to a squad untitled for any public .serv-
ice. -
The Adjutant Generals Department. re-
ports that the ranks are not depicting,
that, so far, there has been less tina 200
men discharged from the service of those
who volunteered in the recent war, and
whose period of enlistment expired during
the period they were in the Governments
service. The National Guard is particu-
larly crippled because it has no equip
ments for its men. 1t needs uniforms,
tents and camp equipage. 1t is figuring
on buying new tents and uniforms as
soon as Uncle Sam settles with the State.
AS it is now, those who are being muster
ed out of the Government service come
home with their uniforms. but they ARE
worn out. The United States owes New
Jersey about 500, 600, and the State can
use IL Just DIS SOOI dS llc SnCIh LIVES.
The designations of the division staff Of
ficers will not be accepted for some time.
1t is not known what General Sewell
wants to do. The Governor will not al
low him to go into the division head
quarters without a military household.
1t is thought that there are some of the
officers hat the general may desire to re-
tain. Whether he does or does not, he
must have a staff.
The most important news in con-
neetion with military matters is the
passed in 1890, retiring National Guard
officers after service of fourteen
years by giving them a brevet title
ice. Under this act Colonel Hugh H.
Abernethy and Colonel William B.
Mason, of the Fourth Regiment, be-
onel Skirm, of the Seventh, and Col
onel John c.. Owens, of the general
staff. There are now at least fifteen
men in actual service who can retire
and become brigadier generals, SO
that the title of general will become
as common as colonel in Kentucky.
Governor Voorhees, refuses to create a
staff of civil c~olonels for no other reason
| than that he did not believe in that kin
| of fuss and feather business, and he o
| advances one step further and declares
that he will not make brlgadier generals
out of men whose only claim to the honor
is that they served fourteen years OF
| more in the National Guard. The Gov
ernor is decidedly opposed to Georgia or
| Kentucky military tactics. and does not
| hesitate to say so. His opinion in this
| line was volunteered the other day when
he was importuned to accept the resigna-
| ton of General Plume's staff officers and
advance those entitled to it to the rank
of brigadier general. This touched the
| Governor in a tender spot, because he
was elated over the many letters of con-
graduation that were coming to him on
| account of the promotion of Colonel
| Campbell. Many expressed the opinion
| that promotions should be made only for
merit. This was entirely in keeping with
his views. but it never occurred to him
how shallow was the law which made
everybody a brigadier general. Several
well known National Guard officers took
the cue and have prepared a repeater,
which will be introduced on Monday
night. They believe that they are pleas
ing the Governor n that he will sign the
bill. The notice that a bill of this kind
is to be introduced has received many
hearty samenS from proniiheHt inintdrs
officers.
The effect of this move is Of the nature
of a coup on the division. officers. 1t will
keep stars from the shoulders Of Colone
Marvin Dodd. Lieutenant Colonel William
s. Fighter, Colonel George W. Terriberry
and Colonel A. Judson Clark. 1t will also
affects Colonel Charles 8. Bamford, of the
Seventh regiment, who has resigned ane
wants to be a brigad.er.
IL the act is allowed to continue il
force it is only a matter OF a few year:
when there will be fifteen breveted briga
der generals in New Jersey. This is re
garded by the old military men as q.
alarming apectacle. The colonels Of eaei