The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-22
poLI1ICs IN THE Esd REoIMENT.
Stories About Col. Alexis G. Smiths ResiE-
nation and the Choice of New Colonel.

Stories About Col. Alexis G. Smiths Reatg-
nation and the Choice of n New Colonel.
The veil OF secrecy by which tho resignation
Of Col. Alexis G. Smith OF the Twenty-thlrd
Regiment Of Brooklyn has been concealed for
some days was lifted yesterday when several
officers consented 10 discuss the situation.
During tho day IL leaked out that lively time
in the regiment preceded the sending in OF tho
Colonel's letter OF resignL ion. Some two
years ago dissatisfaction with Col. Smith re-
suited In the resignation Of Lieut.. Col. Ezra
DeForest and comm ittee OF officers was APP
pointed to walt upon Col. Smith and ask that he
resign. The Colonel demanded the resignation
OF a certain oflcer and by a prompt and severe
course Of action smothered the OPPOSITION to
himself. The feeling has been smouldering.
however and recently took on renewed life.
From an old offlcer OF the regiment who would
not let his name be used IL was learned yester-
day that few days ago number Of tho OH
GERS decided 10 take positive action. To the
number OF sixteen they drew mp their resiena-
lions These. It Is said. were placed in the
hands OF a former of1cer OF the regiment who
was despatched with them to Albany. where he
showed them at headquarters. the intimation
being that although they had not yet been sent
In they would be sent In unless steps were
taken to obtain the re.Ignation OF Col: Smith
ter would be looked into
Accounts differ as to what took place i'm
mediatoly afterward, Some say that Col.
smith was summoned TO Albany by the Gov.
regiment called for a change. Others saw that
n suggestion reached Col. Smith from Head
quarters that to save the regiment II would 10
advisable for him TO leave II. and that there
Col Smith. when interviewed. yesterday. said
that he knew nothing Of any feeling against
him In the regiment. Il have not been to
Albany foi months. and have not seen the
Governor" he said. since his review Of the
regiment last winter. resigned because my
business needed my attention. There was no
pressure brought 10 bear on me either within
or without the regiment"
Col Smith admitted that several years ago
the officers had shown dissatisfaction with his
administration and had openly expressed IL.
on can rest assured ri one thing" he said,
and that is that u ! had known that any my
officers ha asked for my resignation. should
not have resigned but should have fought tho
retreat under fire. | don I believe the Gov
superior officer"
Col. Smith could, not say who his successor
result In one OF the hottest campaigns that the
regiment has ever seen. Many Of the officers
are favorable to Col. A. y. Bacon. while IL IL un-
derstood that Division Headquarters tavors
stan; On accountof Col Bacon's fight for Major
q. II. Smith of tho Seventr.nrst Regiment
against the state mil tary authorities and the
Court Of Inquiry, Il L. sal that he IL persona
Albany. and that hiS election to the colonelcy Of
the Twenty third would not be agree hle to the
higher authorities. In tho regiment II Ia con-
sidered unlikely that Headquarters will take an
declare that they will tolerate no interference
with their right to make their own choice