The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-24
THINKS THE MEASURE SOUND.
MAI. GORDON STANDS BY THE MIL-
IFARY ADVISORY BOARD.


believes 1t Proper That Periods
should Be Placed ON Commissions.
Critical Officers Might Think Bet
ter of the Bill if They should Read
It-Was Not Inspired by a Desire
for the Removal of Col. Gambler.
Poor Material May BE Got Rid of.
and Mai. Gordon Believes That a
strong Consideration Measure
Has Many Opponents in savannah,
who Believe 1t VIII Impair the
Service.
The Governor has signed the bill max
ing the commissions of all officers in the
state service expire Feb. / and at the end
of every three years thereafter. The in
formation was conveyed in an Atlanta dis
patch in the Morning News yesterday.
Opposition TO the measure has been gen
eral in Savannah. Every officer, save one.
who has been heard to give an expression
of his opinion has opposed it. The ex-
ception is Mai. Beirne Gordon, who says
he is confident that many of those who re-
gard the measure as likely to be detrimen-
tai to the service would have their views
altered IL luSy SHOuLu see the Dill and
know just what it contempates.
Maj. Gordon is member of the Mil
tary Advisory Board. The board recon-
mended that the period be placed upon all
commissions, and il is doubtless as a re-
suit of that recommendation that the bill
was proposed in the Legislature. AT the
time the measure was so thoroughly dis
-,
few months ago, Maj. Gordon approved
of it, and since then he has had no reason
to believe he was wrong
The idea of the board was that ineffi-
Gent officers could be got rid of by their
commands if such law were in effect.
Maj. Gordon does not believe that the in
PRODUCTION of political methods will neces-
sarily follow or that officers will feel that
they have to sacrifice their conception of
duty to a necessity of remaining on the
best of terms with their men if they de-
sire to retain their commissions. 1t is his
belief that the men understand and appre-
ciate thoroughly just what constitutes a
good officer, and that none of them would
care to stoop so low as to seek TO Gust
such an officer for the satisfaction Of some
personal grudge.
There will be no necessity for the re-
examination of officers, who may be re-
elected by their companies to the positions
they hold. If there should be a promo
ton, there would, of course be an exam
ination for the new grade but Mai. Cor
don says it was never contemplated that
reflections should be followed by re-ex-
aminations, as that would be obviously
unjust and unnecessary.
officers in Savannah are all in the dark
as to just how the law will be made eff
hot xrFfI all
orders sent out by the adjutant generals
office. 1t may be that everything can be
managed without difficulty, but it would
seem that there would be utter confusion
compassed by having all commissions ex-
pire with Feb 1. None would have au-
thorty to pass upon matters in connect ton
with the elections, the entire machinery
of the choice of officers being made up of
officers themselves. Officers all over the
state VIII await this information with no
little interest.
Maj. Gordon in so far as is known, is
the only officer in the city who has seen
the bill and thoroughly understands all
of its provisions. Others would be glad
to see a copy. Its close study might dis
close something that has not appealed to
them thus far and effect a change of the
present sentiment against the measure.
Some provision may have been made for
a gradual expiration of commissions,
thereby leaving some officer in command
of a company until an election is held
Unless there has been something of that
kind determined upon it would be difficult
to understand just what would be done If
there should be a call for riot duty during
the nterregnum.
The feeling aroused among some of the
officers when the passage of the bill in
the House was announced has shown not
the slightest diminution, and they are as
bitterly OOpOSed n ii a thew hGfnrn
It received the Governors signature. They
are confident that the, measure will inter-
fere with the proper conduct of the ser
vice and impair its efficiency.
a prominent officer whose position IN
the command of his company is assured
beyond all peradventure for as long as he
may desire to hold It, is among those en-
listed against the measure, as he believes
II a menace to the service. 1t is that Off
GERS belief that good officer may some>
times be induced 20 give up his commits
sion and not stand for reelection simply
because he knows of some opposition that
has been manifested to him. 1t is also
that officers belief that even the present
system of electing officers is wrong, as
the places should be appointive, rather
than elective, the idea of an election be-
ing opposed to the real ethics of military
ana controversion Of the policy that pre-
walls in all regular establishments, where
SNiCANS pIcNdIS duA TIC llOhSht
and experience of ages have come down
as heritage to fighting organizations.
or course there will be nothing for It
put acceptation. The law will be recognize
ed and elections will be held every three
years for incumbents to have their popu-
Iarlty with their commands tested The
oohtical idea may or may not become
grated upon that of adherence to duty
but it is the belief of nearly all the Off
GERS that the service will be harmed There
IS the satisfaction of knowing that the last
Legislature is not the last for all time
however, and those interested in the WI
1are of the military hope that, If the meas
ure does prove hurtful, its repeal VIII De
as easily effected as was its passage.
Maj Gordon says he knew nothing
ABOUT the report that the recommend a lion
OF the Advisory Board was influenced by
the desire to GUST Col. Gambler from the
command of the Fifth Regiment If there
was any such Interior motive in the minds
OF any members of the board II was not
communicated IN him was sinlDiU the