The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-02-01
HIS ACTION ENDORSED
REMOVAL OF FIELD OFFICERS
 COMMENDED.
Selmians Discuss Governor Jelks's Promptness in Setting Aside the Decision of the Court
 martial--Other News.
Advertiser Bureau. z.

Advertiser Bureau, Selma, Jan. 31.
 When The Advertiser was distributed to its hundreds of readers in Selma yes terday, the Higdon-Kyle courtmartial and the Governors action thereon was the street talk for the day. Great inter- est has been manifested here in the trial from the very first, and every line that has been printed about the affair has been eagerly read. Your correspondent went around the streets yesterday and this morning and listened to the group of men talk about the matter. and, strange as the statement may seem. not single man was heard to criticise Governor Jelks adversely. On the contrary, his setting aside of the courtmartial and re- lieving the field officers from active duty popular wish, and his quick decision and his nerve in acting has made him hum dreds of friends here.
 Your correspondent asked the opinions of those he met, and they are given be- low Only one man refused to give an opinion. and he gave as his excuse that he had not read the matter closely. but he would do so, and if the reporter would come back to him later. he would let him know what he thought about the affair. All the others approached had opinions and did not mind being quoted. and below is what they said:
 Jehn F. Burns, Quartermaster Dallas Light Dragoons-I reckon it was about the best thing the Governor could do. was in hopes. however, that he would mash them little harder.
 Col. R. D. Berry, ex-Confederate sol- dier-I think the Governor did exactly right. He has shown military genius in suppressing such Jealousies in the bud done a fO Ala bama National Guard. have heard many compliments paid to the Governor today in reference to his action.
 Law Lamar, wholesale merchant--I think the Governor reached a wise con- clusion. He did right in relieving Colo nel Kyle of that small fine. If Kyle was really guilty, he ought to have been punished. The fine imposed was ridicu- lous.
 McD. Campbell. broker-I think the one dollar fine showed that Kyle was not guilty. The Governor did right in set- ting aside the verdict. The best thing the Governor did was to relieve the field officers from duty.
 John S. Ford. Lieutenant of Dragoons-- The Governor is right. Colonel Kyle was either guilty or not guilty, and such a fine should not stand.
 W. L. Quinn, Captain of Selma Guards Colonel Kyle had a personal grudge and ought not to have served under Colonel Higdon. As he was an officer under Hig- don. he ought to have obeyed his orders. If I had been Higdon I would not have taken Kyle's insult, but I would not have called a courtmartial.
 w. w. Stewart Roosevelt Rough Rider -I think Higdon ought to have whipped Kyle and not put the State to the expense of a courtmartial. approve of the Gov- ernor's action.
 B. J. Schuster, hardware dealer-Gov- ernor Jelks acted wisely. If guilty. Kyle ought to have been punished. A fine of
 1.0o was child's play. Governor Jelks has done the military of the State A great service in acting as he has. I ap- prove most heartily of his setting aside the verdict and relieving the field of- ficers of active duty.
 R. B. l.. Mel, editor Journal--The Gov ernor has taken a course that is the absolute salvation of the military of the State The action of the courtmartial appears to have been very frivolous, and if allowed to stand by the Governor would have made the Alabama National Guard the laughing stock of the whole country.
 J. L. Bishop. lawyer-I think the Gov ernor did right. He did not go quite far enough, however, for some of those cap- tains ought to be relieved along with the field officers. Higdon ought to send in his resignation at once.
 D. A. Kennedy, wholesale grocer-I think the Governor has pursued a wise course.
 Capt. R. D. Walker, City Tax Assessor The Governor is right from start to finish. It is all d. foolishness to have the officers of the State troops squabbling that way. think both Kyle and Higdon should now resign.
 Pat Loughlin. Councilman from Fifth Ward-I approve of Governor Jelks's position. I think one of the parties to the courtmartial was afraid. and the other was glad of 1t. The State ought never to have been put to the expense of a courtmartial on so frivolous a charge.
 w. R. Walker. auctioneer-I see no use in soldiers falling out in times of peace. Both ought to resign.
 Louis Bamberger, Business Manager Times: Don't ask me about court mar tials. In 1888 when Captain Tisdale com manded the Dallas Light Dragons, I made a mistake in getting out of camp in Montgomery without a pass, and went home and sold my uniform, which had paid for out of my own pocket, and the first thing I knew 1 was facing a court martial in Selma. It cost me 8. If they keep politics out of court martials they may be good things. The Gov ernor's course is approved by everybody. | under the circumstances.
 T. W. Barker city circulator of The Advertiser: I think Governor Jelks acted | exactly right. We have a good Gov | ernor in Mir Jelks.
 J. R. Satterfeld, attorney: I think the | Governor is right. If Kyle was guilty of anything his punishment ought to have been greater than that fixed by the court. |
 Henry Franelich, corporal Dallas Light | Dragons: The Governor is right I | agree with him in the opinion that if Colonel Kyle was guilty the punishment | was inadequate, and If not guilty he ought to have been cleared. Governor | charge of the officers of the regiment and | he will save the State many a dollar by | relieving the field officers from further | duty, owing to the dissentions among | them.
 John G. Norris, contractor: The Gov | ernor did right. Kyle and Higdon ought | to be put in a ring and made to fight | 1t out. I would like to referee the | fight. I would see to 1t that the boys got | the worth of their money.
 Louis Phillips, First Lieutenant Pettus | Light Artillery: Kyle and Higdon ought | to send in their resignations without any | more red tape. They ought to do that | for the good of the regiment Governor | Jelks is right. J. E. Golson, editor Times: The Gov ernor has acted wisely. Higdon, Kyle and | all the other field officers ought to re- sign and none of them should be can- didates for reelection.