The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-02

sion in hopes that an election to fill his vacancy can be held in the near future and that the regiment may have every opportunity to be placed on an equal basis with the other regiments.
 The resignation was handed to Cover nor Cunningham last night by a special courier at the request of Colonel Hig- don. It is probable that the resignation will be accepted at once, and 1t is de- sired that an election will be ordered for October IS. at the same time the election will be held to fill the vacancy caused by the resign on of Lieutenant Colonc Mcconnell.
 Captain Hughes B. Kennedy is can didate for the vacancy caused by the resignation of Lieutenant- Colone. Me Connelb and the officers of the regiment are said to be generally in favor of Gap tain w. H. McElroy, of Anniston, as suc- cessor to Colonel Higdon. Nearly every line officer in the regiment has pledged himself to vote for Captain McE1lroy, and it is not probable that he will have any opponent.
 Colonel Higdon's Letter.
 To His Excellency, k. M. Cunningham,
 Lieutenant and Acting Governor of Alabama, Montgomery, Ala.
 Sr--I notice by the newspapers that you have accepted the resignation of Lieut.-Col. F. F. Mcconnell, and placed him on the retired list. at his request, and ordered an election to fill the va cancy. l am very much surprised at the promptness with which you granted his request as on August 10 sent you the following communications:
 To His EXcellency, Gov R. M. Cunning
 ham, Montgomery, Ala.
 Slr-I have the honor to respectfully request that I be restored to command of the Third infantry, and retired with rank of colonel, Alabama National Guards. l respectfully urge that this re- quest be granted, that the officers of the Third infantry may have the oppor- tunity to elect and elect a commanding officer wao will restore harmony, dis support and confidence of the command CT in chief. Very respectfully,
 This request was accompanied by petition signed by a number of prominent and faithful officers of the regiment, asking you to grant my request. On Au- gust IT, you wrote me that the regiment was in fairly good condition, and that there was no reason, so far as the ef- fcency of the regiment was concerned, for you to grant the request of the of- fcers and myself.
 You still deny my request but grant a similar one from the acting colonel I cannot understand why it is more im- portant to have a lieutenant colonel com- mand the regiment than a colonel
 am convinced by this order for the election of lieutenant colonel that the present administration has determined not to restore me to the lawful posi- tion to which I was elected, so that I might resign, or be placed on the re- tired list, and give the officers an op- portunity 60 elect colonel.
 It is only few months until my com mission expires. and believing it to be to the best interest of the regiment to have a full set of officers now, I have made up my mind to send in my resig- nation
 Time and Money.
 During 0 period of more than seyen- teen years of continuous service in the Alabama National Guard, 1 have given my time and money to make it efficient. And l have filled every position from private to colonel. I challenge any man to point out one single instance that failed to uc my duty. or obey all law full orders of my superior officers; or one time when my company or regiment was called to duty to uphold the law. that was not present in my official ca- pacity.
 The best part of my life has been spent in the service of the Alabama National Guard. and yet I am denied the same consideration that the administration gives to other officers
 You wrote me once that you were not familiar with the facts leading to my suspension, and as desire that you may know them all. I will brieiy state them:
 Governor Jelks ordered me to take my regiment into camp of instruction in July, 1901. transmitted his order. word for word, to .he officers of my regiment Ey-