The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1908-01-28
MACKTE EXPLAINS
SAYS CO. A MADE BETTER
SHOWING THAN CREDITED.
First Regiment Captain Takes Excep-
tion to Report of National Guard
Inspector.

Two weeks ago Inspector General
Joseph w. Congdon, of the State
militia, in his report to the commander
in-chief of the national guards, came
out with some very strong statements
against the standing of several COM
panies in the first regiment, company
A, Arthur II. MacKie commandment,
coming in for particular mention in
the generals military roast"
Captain MacKie was a candidate for
major of the first battalion of the first
regiment when Captain William H.
Garfield was not allowed to run
against him and ever which there has
been so much military fuss. The re-
election, by the way, is scheduled for
tomorrow night, and Captain Mackie
determined to get pack at his superior
before entering the majorship race
again.
In a letter to the Adjutant General
he replies to General Congdon's criti-
cism as follows:
''Sir-I have the honor respectfully to
bring to your attention an extract from an
article in the NEWARK EVENING STAR,
of January Is, 1908, quoting from the re-
port of the inspector-general for the year
ending October 81, 1897. The report pre-
sumably has reference to the Inspection
and muster at Sea Grit, July 10, 1901. The
extract reads:
Company A, First Regiment, makes
the worst display with % pert cent. of its
men absent
II have the honor to submit that this
report, as quoted, does this company an
injustice, in that seven men who were
mustered on the afternoon of July 10 last,
company n he morning, reduced the per-
eentage of absentees to twelve.
out of a total of sixty-siX officers and
men on the roll, fifteen were reported alb
sent at the muster of the company in the
forenoon. The following men arrived from
Newark with an attachment of c~asuals,
reaching- camp before dinner, and were
mustered at the guard tent on the after
noon Of July 10, with casuals from other
companies. at about 1:30 o'clock, reducing
the actual number of absentees to eight.
Il have the honor to request such action
as may be appropriate within view to the
correction OF the above statemenot, as the
report as now publicvly printed and cir
oulated, seriously reflects both upon the
efficiency of the company and myself"
General congdon's Reply.
General Congdon Is somewhat of a writer
himself, and here is the reply which Cap
tain MacKie has received;
Dear Sir-Pursuant to our recent con-
Yersation, / hnve made inquiries ct tho
acknowledgements office, and find that the
muster roll of our command, which l
transmitted with my report. as received
from Lieuienant-ColOnel Boltwood, shows
fifteen men absent from inspection. As
Stunning, therefore, that you are correct
in your statement that hfty-one mel were
inspected i'll the morning and seven III the
afternoon at the last muster. n mistake
has apparently been made by Lieutenant
Colonel Boltwood in not taking into ae-
count the seven men separately mustered!
These men, If shown on the rolls as pres
ent, would have made your absentees only
eight, or a percentage of 121s, instead of
% per cent. absent.
Il have written to Colonel Boltwood for
further upon this matter, ask
ing for an immediate reply. | am very
anxious to have this correction made be-
fore the tabulated returns are printed In
the adjutant-general's report. aud 1 hasten
to do you this much of Justice. in saying
that had Colonel Boltwood's returns shown
but eight men absent, instead of such an
surprising percentage as hfteen men OF
g per cent, the structures and criticisms
upon the number of absentees In your COM
pany would, of course, never have beer
made.
Il shall be gratlned if you will make
this statement on my behalf to your com
ways fair and Just, and / infinitely regret
this clerical mistake. The general excel
lence Of your In drill and disci
pline Is well known and is n good record OF
long standing, and it certainly should no
quffer u~njustly by reason OF any clerica
error.
MY structures upon the condition of youi
company. as well as with reference to thu
two companies in the Fourth Regiment, re-
lated to the absenteeism only, and there
discipline and general military efficiency Of
these companies
Now the boys Of the First Regiment arr
wondering if Captain MacKie will he hauled
bell for daring to protest against military
criticism.