The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-06-21

Col James II. McGann's friends in the
Second regiment, r. I. National Guard,
won hands down last evening when they
forced Lieut.. Col. John A. O'Keefe out of
the race for colonel, elected Capt. Charles
E. Mulhearn, Col. McGann's adjlnant, by
unanimous vote, and elevated Capt. Fran
els Cannon of Company A of Olneyville
to the position of major. OF the First bat
talon by vote of 81 TO over Mai. Peter
A. Sweeney. Maj. Thomas f. McGill OF
Woonsocket was unanimously reelected
to head the Second battalion.
Lieut.. Col. o Keefe had been for mon tbs
candidate for the office OF colonel. but
he withdrew from the contest at the last
moment, in a letter which was submitted
to the meeting by Capt. John Brennan of
Company Il of this city. The election of a
lieutenant colonel does not take place un-
III Dec. 23. 1898, or there would have been
another election last evening to fill that
office.
Col. McGann. whose resignation came
about as the result of certain allegations
that We're made regarding the regularity
of inspections of companies of The Second
regiment. notably Company c OF River
point. was pleased over the outcome of
the election. which, he had done so much
to shape. His friends have held to the be-
lief that politics in the reAment was at
the bottom of all the trouble and that IL
the election had not been pending the al
legations would not have been made pub
lie. They took the position at the outset
that whatever of truth there may have
been In the charges, the whole situation
was the result of the interest Col. Nc
Gam took In maintaining the standard of
the regiment. and the loyalty OF the ma
jority of the line officers to their COM
manding officer remained steadfast
FULL ATTENDANCE.
AS predicted by the News-Democrat, all
the "A line officers of the regiment, includ-
ing Capt John f. Farrell OF Company e
of Riverpoint. whose resignation has been
requested from the adjutant generals Of
flee, were present, and took part in the
election.
The letter of withdrawal from Lieut..
Col. O'Keefe put a damper on his eight
friends and only three were mustered for
Maj. Sweeney, who was credited with n
part OF the activity in Lieut.. Col.
O'Keefe's favor.
The resignation of Col McGann was ac-
cepted under date of June 10, II was an
nounced.
Friends OF Col. McGann claim that an
attempt was made in behalf OF Lieut.. Col.
OKeefe yesterday afternoon 10 obtain the
consent of Capt Mulhearn to a mutual
withdrawal I'm favor OF Col. McGann, but
the possible resx,fs of a reelection of Col.
McGann had b<Lh carefully considered,
however and, although there appeared
severe than reprimand would result
even from conviction on formal charges
by court-martial. IL had been decided
that the retirement of the commanding
officer with a record officially clean was
preferable.
o'KEEFE FOR COMPROMISE
The friends of Lieut.. Col. O'Keefe
were informed that IL was no longer Col
McGann's fight but Capt Mulhearns, and
the letter OF withdrawal by Lieut.. Col
O'Keefe was the result This letter was
addressed 10 Capt. John Brennan OF Com
pany y. of this city, and read as follows
"wlll you kindly withdraw my candi-
dacy for the position OF colonel OF your
regiment at the election tonight. Condl- |
tions in the regiment have become so
strained that / believe harmony can only |
be secured by the election OF some third |
candidate. At the urgent request of |
number OF officers OF both factions this |
action Is taken" I
BRIG. Gen. Herbert s. Tanner presided |
at the election, which was held at regi- |
headquarters In the Phenix build |
ing Lieut.. Shunnay OF Company u, |
Woonsocket, came from Brighton, Mass. |
Just as the election was taking place I'm |
order o support Col. McGann's slate.
Cant. Mulhearn was nominated for col |
onel by Capt Thomas r. Rodgers OF Com |
pany ID. Woonsocltet. and the nomination |
seconded by Capt. Farrell OF Company c. |
R1verpoint.
Capt. Brennan nominated Col O'Keefe |
and then presented the letter. In which |
he withdrew from the contest, and the re |
suit was a unanimous vote for Capt Null |
hearn.
For major of the First battalion Capt. |
Joseph II. Reilly OF Company r. Provi- |
dence. nominated Capt Francis Cannon |
Of Company A. and Lieut.. Kennedy of |
r Providence. nominated Mai. |
Peter A. Sweeney. The vote stood n for |
Capt Cannon and 3 for Maj. Sweeney. |
The election OF Capt. Cannon was, after |