The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-07-01
BRISTOL
COMPANY
D|SBANDED

Gov. Garvin has received from Brig.
Gen. Frederic M Sackett the report OF
the commission appointed by him to in
vestigste the complaints OF Brig. Gen.
Herbert 3. Tanner. commanding, Brigade
Rhode Island Militia. against Company
G, Second Regiment, B. r. l. M. as to its
discipline, care OF state property and gen
eral efficiency.
This is the company that was recently
discharged in one general order which
was revoked later and n commission ap-
pointed 10 investigate after the previous
order had gone into effect.
The report shows that the commission
met and organized with Col. Frank w.
Natteson as president and Capt. Henry
C. Cram as recorder. The other members
were Capt. Alonzo r. Williams, Capt.
Malachy A. Reilly and Capt. II. w. Con-
nor j. J. Dockry appeared as oounsel Tor
the officers and men, IL being decided 10
allow all testimony even more remote
than is usually allowed by the rules or
evidence.
A number OF witnesses were examined
and the report upon the condition or
Company c, Second Regiment OF Infan-
try. b. r. l. NJ. as made by Lieut.. Col.
Arthur V. warheld, March "a, 1904, with
the/indorsements thereon. as the basis or
the complaints of Brig. Gen. Tanner.
great deal of evidence concerning
the I'll feeling said to exist between the
colonel and lieutenant colonel OF the sec
ond regiment was taken in order to get
at the foundation OF the III feeling.
The commission decided June q. 1904
that 1.-THE complaint In the report was
substantiated in every particular; that
at the time the company disbanded the
discipline was very lax, officers having
no control OF the men, that the care OF
state property was negligent, officers hav-
ing allowed the men to keep state prop
erty at their homes ana that the prop
erty at the armory was not well careu
for
The report states further that at the
time OF the inspection by the United
states inspecting officer condition ex-
,sted that was beyond pardon.
Roth lieutenants. by their own admis-
slon were unable to drNl the company
and did not understand the duties OF their
respective offices. so that when the cap
tain was called upon TO accompany the
inspectlng officer they were at loss 10
know what to do with the men In their
charge.
The reason given by the captain for this
state OF affairs was, according TO the
commission, owing to the fact that
large number OF the members OF the
company were fellow workmen In the
town, over whom he feared TO exercise
that degree of firmness necessary to put
an organization OF that kind upon the
basis that is required by law, and also
because of certain outside influences"
Captain Malschy A. Kelly and Captain
Henry w. Connor recommend in minor
ity report that the company be rein
stated, because the officers were largely
TO blame for the inefficiency.
Colonel Mathewson, Captain Cram and
Captain Williams recommend the disband-
ment OF the company for the reason that
the best interests OF the Brigade would
be best served in their opinion.
They suggested that another company
be organized TO take its place In some
other locality In the state.
Governor Garvin ordered the disband-
ment OF the company in accordance with
the finding and according 20 General Or
der No 30 signed by Adjutant General
Sackett today. the company stands dis
banded.
There will probably be a new company
formed in the populous district OF Paw
tuxet Valley that will take the name of
the dlsbanded organization.
Both the governor and adtutant general
expressed as their opinion that this would
be an excellent location for a good live
company, and the latter stated that after
camp. measures would be taken toward
organizing in some location.