The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-09-28
MCCONNELL
 STEPS DOWN Lieutenant Colonel of Third Infantry Resigns. WEARY OF WRANGLNG Conduct of Huntsville Com pany May Have Caused It. Governor Orders an Election in Resi- | ment on October IS to Choose successor-CoIoneI Higdon
 still Serene.
WEARY OF WRANGLNG

Lieutenant Colonel Frank r. McCoh- nell, for over two years commanding officer of the 3rd infantry Is no longer an active member of the Alabama Ma tional Guard. His resignation as Lieu tenant Colonel was received yesterday, and. at his own request, he was placed upon the retired list.
 Colonel Mcconnell. in his brief letter of resignation, said that he was induced to take that action by reason of Ill health. He informed Governor Cum ningham that on account Of his III health he would be absent from the State for an indefinite length of time.
 The resignation was accepted by the Governor and an order was immediately issued placing Colonel Mcconnell on the retired list, an honor to which he was entitled by the length of his service in the National Guard.
 The same order called for an election on Tuesday. October IS. at which time the line officers of the regiment will select successor to Colonel Mcconnell The officer who will be elected Lieuten- ant-Colonel will, like Colonel McCon- nell. be in command of the regiment in view of the fact that Col. E. l.. Higdon, whose commission does not expire until next year. Is still under suspension.
 May Be Other Reasons
 While 1t Is known that Colonel Me Councils health has not been good dur ing the past summer. 1t Is believed that other circumstances entered into tho formation of his resolution to retire from the command of the 3rd. As Is wel1-known throughout Alabama, the regiment has been rent in twain by factional fights since the contest for the CoIonelcy between Colonel Higdon and Major T. T. Huey.
 The sensation which followed the controversy between Colonel Higdon and LieutenantC Colonel Osceola Kyle Is a matter of unpleasant military history. At the close of A courtmartial which tried Lieutenant Colonel Kyle for a disrespectful letter he wrote Colonel Higdon. all the field officers of the regI- ment were suspended. Some time later when the field officers had been rein stated. Colonel Higdon refused to ac- cept reinstatement until he had an ex- planation from Governor Jelks as to why he had been temporarily relieved from his command. The Governor again suspended Colonel Higdon from his command and he has remained suspend ed since.
 Colonel Kyle submitted his resigna- tion. To the vacancy Lieutenant Colo nel F. P. Mcconnell. who Is a we'll known citizen of Talladega. was elected.
 It was hoped that the election of Colonel Mcconnell would restore har mony in the regiment. He was imme- diately placed in command. The fac tional differences, however, continued with apparently no diminution. At one time there was talk of mastering ou. the entire command and the entire staff of the regiment was changed. The State military officers found, however that the units of the command the various companies, were. as rule, In excellent condition and that to muster out the regiment would be an injustice to the companies.
 Mcdonnell Grew Weary.
 It is believed that perhaps Colonel Mcconnell feels that his efforts for over two years to restore harmony in the regiment have been unavailing and that he is weary with work to that end. It Is also understood that the regiment owes a considerable deficit for supplies for its last two camps and that inas- much as Colonel Mcconnell has ex- pended considerable of his private means in discharging some of the regi. mental indebtedness. he now feels that the burden should be borne by other hands.
 It is possible that the findings of the recent Court of Inquiry upon the conduct of the Huntsville Company had a bearing upon Colonel McConnelrs ueteTnlndtlOn 10 retire. Colonel Me Cornell, at the conclusion of the brigade camp in Birmingham this sum mer. recommended that the companies at Huntsville, Decatur and Jasper be mustered out. In those towns strong pressure was brought to bear upon the State military officers to have these commands retained in the National Guard for ninety days. It was decided that ninety days should be allowed the companies in which to attain a state of efficiency. In the meanwhile the unfortunate incident at Huntsville oc- cured. This may or may not have influenced Colonel Mcconnell
 In all probability there will be a strong fight for the place It Is thought that both Major J. L. Daniels and Captain W. H. McKleroy of Annis ton will be candidates for the place and probably some others. Mayor Daniels now commands a battalion in the 3rd Captain McKleroy is a well known banker of Anniston but is not now connected with the National Guard
 Order from Headqunrters.
 The order issued yesterday from tbe office of the Adjutant General in refer