The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-06-13
Second Regiment Election Re.
suits in Same Commanders.
THE OPPOSITION WAS WEAK
As Expected Some Opposition OsVslopei Tor
Colonel and One Majors Position, but
NOT Major kc6lll.

AT the election OF colonel and battalion
commanders for the Second Regiment OF
Rhode Island militia there was some con-
test developed against the reelection OF
Col. Mccain and Major Sweeney but not
nearly as much as anticipated. None OF the
candidates proposed had sufficient back
ing. however and at the hrst ballot the
result was as follows
For colonel Col James II. McGann. is
votes Col Thomas II. Donahue' .. For
major. Major y. A Sweeney, ID; captain
Il. ]. O'Connors. g. For major. Major
Thomas F. MeGill. 2S' no opposition can
cidate
When the ballot was announced II was
Immediately made unanimous. The olf-
GERS elected are 20 serve for the regular
term Il four years and the stan VIII re-
main the same at the option OF the COM
mander.
The election was held In the Second
Regiment headquarters. and with Brig
Gen. Tanner as presiding ofhcer' a
captain and two lieutenants were present
from every one OF the eight companies In
the regiment with the exception OF
lieutenant from Company OF Bristol
where that position is vacant. This made
a total OF % possible electors AZ the
close OF the balloting, which occupied but
q brief period Capt W. l.. Tanning OF
Company A was sent 10 inform the sue
cessfui candidates OF the regiments
choice.
They were received with hearty ar
piause when they appeared before the as
sembied officers. and after few remarks
by General Tanner, Colonel McGann re-
eponded 10 a call for a speech ana
thanked the officers for their vote OF
confidence" He stated that he would
.fsn apl In
mind over the campaign of the last few
weeks but asked that the regiment might
go on as before, with a friendly and har-
monious effort TO further mutual inter-
ests Majors Sweeney and McGill fol-
lowed in the same VEIN. promising 70 do
their best for the regiment In the future,
as In the past
Brig Gen. Tanner then made an ad-
dress upon the coming camp. detailing
what he expected from officers and men
and announcing certain minor changes
which would take place this summer at
the sessions conclusion. A vote OF thanks
was given Gen. Tanner.
Col. James II. McGann began his MILL
tary career in April. 1869. when he joined
the Meagher Guards, then Company OF
the old Rhode Island Guards, May y.
1870, he was appointed first corporal and
subsequently passed through the grades
OF sergeant. He was commissioned sec
ond lieutenant OF Company A, Rhode ISL
and Guards, May I, 1871, and the COM
mission was signed by Gov. Seth Padel-
ford, May 6 OF the following year he was
elected first lieutenant, and held the posi-
tion two years. when he was elected TO
the captaincy April H. 1874. This office he
was forced TO resign in November OF the
same year for business reasons. In June.
1876. however. he was appointed adjutant
OF the Fifth Battalion OF Infantry by
Col. James Larkin. and when this bat
talon was merged with the Second Bri-
gade Col McGann was commissioned as
captain and adjutant by Gov. Howard
Sept l. 1876. This position he held until
1879, when the militia was reorganized.
Business reasons again forced him 10
leave military circles This time he was
away until 1887. when. without his knowl-
edge. he was unanimously chosen by the
officers OF the Second Regiment to the
grade OF lieutenant colonel
He has been colonel OF the regiment
since June 1899
Maj p. A. Sweeney received his nrst
military experience In the Providence
United Train OF artillery. entering Com
pany ID, OF that organization as a pri-
vate in 1885. Two years later he was
made a second lieutenant and in 1855 was
elected TO the same position in Company
ii. Second regiment. Il. r. l. NJ. He
was chosen captain OF the company In
1889. and served in that capacity con-
tinuously until June 20. 1899, when ne
was elected major, serving his four
years fn command OF the first battalion
until the present time The major has
been influential In time past in bringing
about favorite legislation in the way OF
armory improvements for certain Second
regiment companies.
Maj. T. F. McGll first entered the
militia as private In Company u. Sec
ond regiment. Woonsocket. on July 8.
1885. Three years later he was appointed
corporal and in 1890 promoted to be
sergeant and the first sergeant I'm 1872
In June. 1895. he was elected second lieu
tenant OF the company and in December
OF the same year was elected captain
OF Company ID. When the Spanish war
broke out. Maj. McGill accompanied the
First Rhode Island as captain OF Com
pany d. Returning at the end OF II
months he was reelected captain OF
Company u. Second regiment. Il. r. I.
NJ. In June. 1899. Maj McGill was elect
ed TO his present position.