The Portland daily press., 1900-08-17
Result Of First Regiment Election
Yesterday.
Lieut.. WEIGH of A Co.
Elected Major.
Seven Ballots Required for
Lieutenant COlOnelcy.

Augusta, August 16 An election was
held at the general headquarters of Camp |
Powers, this evening, at when Major
Charles Collins of the 1st battalion was
elected lieutenant colonel. 1t was close
contest requiring seven ballots. On the |
last ballot Major Collins had 10 votes and
Major w. 0. Peterson OF the I'd battalion
mad Is.
In the election for major to fill the
vacancy caused by the advancement of
Major Collins, Lieut.. f. B. W. Welch Of
Co. A, Portland, received 20 votes on the
first ballot ana was elected.
The news of this election in the LIST
regiment will be very interesting to those
who are interested in the National
Guard OF Maine and to Portland people
in general. They Will be pleased because
the offices have come to Portland and be-
cause the hard work of the officers and
men of the Portland battalion of this
regiment have been so httingly racog-
nized.
Major Charles Collins, whose election
as lieutenant colonel is announced in the
above despatch, is an enthusiastic, hard
working, cool headed young man who
has made his way to the top by his own
conscientious work and his attention to
business. He has brought the Portland
battalion to a high state of efficiency, has
inspired the officers of the Portland COM
panies with his own enthusiasm, and
they have in most cases been his loyal
friends and co-workers. He began his
military career with Capt. Isaiah Baker,
became second lieutenant in that COM
pany and was then elected major. In this
capacity he entered the government SER
vice in the 1st Maine volunteers and
served with them at Chickamauga park.
Although slight of build and not of ro-
bust constitution he did not spare him
self hard work at this big camp, but par
took of all the hsrdships OF his battalion
and kept up his enthusiasm until forced
to return home by i'll health. Since his
discharge from the volunteer service
Major Collins has continued to admins
ter the duties of major of Portland's hat
talon. It was Major Collins who or.
ganized the officers association and who
planned the out of door exhibition so sue
cessfully given this spring, and who ha
so interested the Toung men of Portland
in military matters that none of the COM
panies here are ever lacking for recruits
His election is recognition of his popu-
larity. mis- untiring work for the Nation
al Guard Of Maine, for his upright, man
L.,
edge of military affairs.
The election OF Lieut. Frank WEIGH to
fill the vacancy caused by the promotion
of Major Collins is also very pleasing to
Portland people. He has worked his way
up from the ranks, having served faith
fully as a private and non-commissioned
officer in Co. A for many years. He, too,
is enthusiastic hard worker and an ex-
cellent tactioian. at the outbreak OF the
Spanish war Co. NJ of Westbrook went to
Augusta without "A captain under the
charge of Lieutenant Welch lie was
very popular with the Westbrook men
ana might have had promotion to a cap
taincy, so it was stated at the time, if he
had desired 1t. He preferred to remain
with his own company and served all
through the term Of enlistment in a very
creditable manner, winning high praise
from his superiors and from the regular
army officers with whom he came in con-
tact He was offered a commission in
the provisional Philippine army after
his discharge from the volunteers but de-
cided TO remain at home rather than 90
30 the Philippines in the provisional
army. He is a very popular, clear
headed, bright and upright young man
and his election viii be as good thing
for the LIST regiment as could have hap
Pened.