New-York tribune., 1901-02-25

PARTIsANs OF EX-MAJoR SMITH CHARGED WITH
BREAKING PLEDGE.

seventy-hrst Regiment troubles furnished food
for discussion yesterday in National Guard circles
and. while officer would be quoted in relation to
the factonal fight OF a sister organization the
opinion was general that the Smith party was
acting in manner detrimental TO the interests OF
the list in its persistent efforts elect an officer
who had been reported upon adversely by State
board Of examination.
II was also conceded that general headquarters
must take some heroic action against the Smith
party II 1t continues past tactics This can be
done by ordering officers before a State board or
disbanding their companies and then reorganizing
them with new officers.
No little excitement was created yesterday by a
report that the regiment 10 be reduced 10 a
battalion and placed in command OF major This
report. II Is asserted, spread by some OF the
Smith faction. who. it is also said have no love
for Colonel Bates and desire TO make things as
unpleasant possible for him. in hope that by
so doing he may resign and thus give them a
clearer field
Colonel Bates, it IS known. is not going to resign.
and it is also known that he has the full support
Of general headquarters against those who. falling
to elect eX-Major Smith, now seek the scalp of the
Colonel
Major General Roe when seen yesterday and asked
If there vas truth in the report that the list
Regiment was to be reduced battalion and
Colonel Bates made supernumerary. said:
There is positively foundation for such a
report. No such scheme has even been suggested
"oulu seek rather 10 increase the regiment than
reduce it"
The General declined to discuss the factiona fight
in the regiment, what might might not be done
in the OF any officers who might be considered
as working against the interests OF the regiment
Another high officer. who would not allow his
TO be used said:
General headquarters has become tired Of the
eHorts on the part of few officers block the
progress of the list by trying all kinds OF schemes
10 elect a man who they know under the
laws OF the Guard cannot be commissioned. The
Smith men, when they asked for an election gave
their solemn pledge that X-Major Smith was not
candidate. and that under circumstances
would his name appear. II was under these Condi-
rons that Colonel Bates decided order the cleo
uon. l would further say that the name OF Can
tain j. H Wells for the lieutenant -colonelcy was
proposed by Smith partisans and by Colonel
Bates. The Colonel however. was friendly to Can
tain Wells, and hoped for his election Wells how
ever, being IN the past a strong Smith supporter.
was not looked upon favoraby by the anti-SmIth
ofcers In the regiment. who for this reason cast
the thirteen blank ballots. This was by no nca MS
slight 10 Colonel Bates The Smith men. instead
OF keeping their promise, broke II, and cast thir-
teen ballots for eN-Major Smith. l have hesita-
ton in saying that there will be some very sum
mary proceedings against officers unless they
see the error of their past ways
Another rumor that could not he confirmed yes
terday that Captain J. II. Wells the defeated
candidate for lieutenantcolonel had decided to re-
and il is said he would have been candidate
except for the promise that he would receive the
support Of the officers who voted for Smith