The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-15
COL. GARRARD WILL RESIGN.
HE WILL GIVE UP THE COMMAND OF
THE VOLUNTEER GUARDS.

Meeting of the Corps VIII BE Held
TO-night-ENpected That Col. Gar
rard VIII Announce His Contem-
plated Retirement - Understood
That He VIII Maintain the Direc-
ton of the Affairs OF the Corpora
tion-Those and the Duties of the
Military Are Said to BE Too Oner-
Gus for One Man-Omcers and Men
VIII Regret the Actlon-SuccessOrs
spoken of for the Majority.
The adjourned January meeting of the
Savannah Volunteer Guards viii be held
tonight at the armory. The officers of
the battalion desire the attendance of
avery member of every class, as announce
ments ana reports affecting the battalion
will be made.
Rumor has it that the most important
of the announcements viii be the resigna-
ton of Lieut.. Col William Garrard. 1t
is said Col Garrard will not be candi-
date for reelection when che officers OF
the battalion meet to settle upon the com
mander of the battalion. That Will prob
ably be at some time prior TO Feb. /, as
on That day the legal election will be
held.
The report Of Col. Garrard's contemplate
ed resignation has reached the ears Of
several officers of the First Regiment and
other commands A meeting of the bat
talon officers was held a short while ago
and the matter was thoroughly discussed,
and it is said the agreement reached was
Ol ri TO This
against the vigorous protest of all the Off
GERS under him. as Col. Garrard is looked
upon as the best friend the Guards have.
Officers and men would be glad to have
him remain at their head. but reasons Of
fer 20 his mind that convince him the
best step for him is to resign.
1t is said some arrangement will be made
by which Col Garrard will remain in close
touch with the administration of the finan
cial affairs of the Guards. These have
become so involved that it is necessary
for one of such ability as is the COM
manding officers to look after them
vast amount of work will be required for
the successful accomplishment of ends
that the battalion seeks to achieve, and
1t would be too great a tax upon one Of
ficer TO have him undertake the direction
of the military organization, as such, and
the shaping of its business and financial
affairs.
Col Garrard is more familiar than any
other with the Guards condition. He Is
recognized as fully qualified to undertake
the task of their financial reiuvenation,
and that is a work that is regarded as
more important just now than that of the
military feature A successor may be
found TO meet all the responsibilities of
the battalion's command but il would
scarce be possible to place one in the
her nnGiticp Wi ba itaf If ho
Guards more deeply at heart, and with
greater abilities to discharge every obli-
cation the command is under. Officers
and men alike would like to see Col. Gar
rard retain both places, but 1t is said he
himself is convinced that il Is better for
him to decline reelection.
Col. Garrard has commanded the Guards
for eighteen years. His promotion to the
position of honor was from the ranks as
he was a private in Company A before
his election He was at the head of the
battalion when it served in the Spanish
war, the Guards forming the First Bat
talon of the Second Georgia Regiment of
which Col. Garrard was lieutenant colonel
Two names have been heard when spec
ulation has arisen as to the successor
Capt. Thomas Screven is senior line Off
Ger, ard ii is quite possible Company
may lose its commanding officer by his
elevation to the command of the battal-
ion. Mr.. j. A. G. Carson has also been
mentioned.
The title of the next commander OF
the battalion will he major Orders re-
Gently issued from the adjutant generals
office provide that there shall be a colonel
lieutenant colonel and three majors for
each regiment. The Guards have been an
exception to the rule governing the mill
tary establishment. and the battalion has
been under the command of lieutenant
colonel.