The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-11
Officers Said to be Dissatisfied Over Treatment of Col, HigdOn
CAPT. JOHNSTON MAY RESIGN
Captain Gardner Has Not Decided On What Course to Pursue-Being Urged to Take Command
 of Rifles.

It is probable that some if not all of the staff of the Third Regiment will re- sign. This will be done out of feeling for Col. E. l.. Higdon, who has been removed from his command by Governor Jelks. The staff of a colonel is always very close to him, being appointed in fact. on his recommendation.
 The present commander of the Third Regiment, Lieut.-Col Frank P. McCon- nell is anxious for the staff to retain their commissions as such and he is friendly to Colonel Hfgdon and quite sat is1led with the personnel of the staff. Several of the staff called on the colonel yesterday afternoon and conferred with him as to sending in their resignations. In each instance Colonel TIigdon said he hoped the members would act according to their individual preference and that those who wished to remain would do so
 Dr. Hardee Johnson, who is assistant surgeon with the rank of captain, said yesterday that 1t was more than prob able he would resign.
 Capt. Walter D. Gardner quartermas- ter captain, said that he had not definite ly decided as to what course to pursue Captain Gardner Is being urged to ac- cept the captaincy of the Birmingham Rifles made vacant by the resignation of Captain Ledbetter Sergeants Frank E. Fetus, Clarance Ballard and Hines Fran cis will probably be elected as the three lfeutenants of the company
 Colonel Higdon stated yesterday that he had nothing to say In the matter ex- right; that he was acting on his own initiative and that he hoped something would develop to enable him to show that he had not done anything deserving of censure.
 Major Bankhead Talks.
 Maj. John H. Bankhead one of the off, ficers chosen in the recent harmony cleo ton, has given out the following state ment about Colonel Higdons action:
 q am very much surprised at the last position taken by Colonel Higdon, as shown by the correspondence made public by him.
 Tn repeated conversation, Colonel Hig- don stated to me that he wanted to see officers elected who would work in har- mony with him, that he wanted to be reinstated and have the officers elected in time to have a successful encampment this summer. He made this statement in the presence of Col. B. L. Holt, and re- ta1 fa ten da before the order for the election was is- sued. He shows by his letter to the Gov ernor that he requested reinstatement.
 'As soon as it was made apparent to Governor Jelks that an election would result in securing harmony among the officers of the regiment, he issued the order and complied with Colonel Higdon's request to be reinstated. But now, 1t seems that Colonel Higdon did not want his request granted.
 "So far as I have been able to ascer- tain, Governor Jelks has not from the inception of the trouble, indicated any disposition to favor Higdon or Kyle. It was made known to him that the officers were at war, and he took necessary and proper steps to reduce the regiment to peace footing. It was apparent to all that proper dicipline and organization could not be sustained with such bitter hostility existing between the field of ficers as was shown to exist by the Kyle. courtmartial.
 Temporary Suspension.
 "The Governor exercised the only pow CT he had, a temporary suspension from duty of all the field officers All the of- ing the proprieties of the situation, promptly resigned to enable the regi- ment to elect officers who could work in harmony for the success of the regi- ment.
 After the trouble was settled by the election of officers acceptable to Colonel Higdon, and 1t appeared that all was in readiness for proper military work, Col onel Hgdon attempts to create further confusion by requesting the Governor to annul the order placing him in command When the Governor advised him that he would issue the order as requested re- lieving the colonel from duty, Colonel Higdon again puts himself in conflict with the Governor by saying that he has made no such request.
 'The first order relieved Colonel Hig- don from duty. The sc'o;'i order restored Colonel Ir5don to duty. The annullnient of the second order as Colonel Higdon re- auested left the first order on the subjec- ton force. But Colonel Higdon appears b be mad because the governor did py using different words, what Colonel Itig- don requested him 10 do.
 Colonel Higdon knows that he Is guilty or impropriety, discourtesy and a breach of military discipline in addressing ar open letter to his superior officer and in issuing an open letter to the Third reRi- ment criticising by argument or statement tie acts cf the governor.
 ''To these who are familiar with tie en- tire situation, knowing Governor ;ell<s' desire to secure harmony in the regiment, knowing his expressed purpose to restore Colonel Higdon to command if an agree mcnt was not presently made for the otEer officers, knowing Colonel HisGon's apparent desire to be reinstated with the election of agreeable officers under him it is perfectly apparent that Colonel Higdon is trying to engage In politics. There are some who say that he wants to be sher,r of Jefferson county, and that by em- barassing the administration of Governor Jelks he expects to secure the support of g certain fanticn in Jefferson county
 There are others who say that certain lt aders are using the colonel in their own interests. Whether his conduct be volun- ta,. alotas