New-York tribune., 1912-01-05
MAY PUNISH OFFICERS
OF THE 9TH REGIMENT
Say Military Rules Were Vlo-
lated by Petition in Behalf
of Colonel Morris.
JUDGE ADVOCATE HAS CASE
Governors Anger Alleged to
Have Led Him to Appoint
Colonel Austin as Coast
Artillery Chief.

officers of the 9th Regiment of the
coast artillery. of Manhattan, it is al
legged. have been guilty of a serious mil
tary offence i'm signing a petition ask
ing that the merits of their colonel,
William F. Morris, be considered in tie
appointment of a chief Of coast al
tillerv to succeed General David f. Aus
d. who wa retired on last Monday for
age. This petition. it is said. was put IN
the hands of a prominent citizen VINO Is
a close friend of Governor Dix and was
given to the latter few days before
the order retiring General Austen was
issued.
The retition. which was signed b. all
the officers of the regiment, made
great sensation when it reached the Gov
ernor. and the latter was exceedingly
indignant that he as commander in
chief, should receive such document
from officers in the military service OF
the state.
The Governor at once consulted some
of his military advisers, who gave IL
as their opinion that the officers OF the
regiment had clearly violated the mill
tary regulations, which, it Is held, tor'lh
petitions from juniors in regard to su-
periors The Governor at once ordered
that the matter be submitted to the
Judge advocate Of the national guard
TO report on the alleged violation OF
regulations, with a view to taking some
action of a disciplinary nature against
the officers.
The matter it is understood, is still
in the hands of the judge advocate, and
upon his report, it is said will depend
what action the Governor will take.
The Governor Incensed.
That the Governor is thoroughly in
censed is we'll known, and his detail OF
Colonel Elmore f. Austin. of the Sth
Regiment. as acting chief of coast ar
tillery over the head of Colonel Nor
ris his senior in rank, was done, 1t is
said. to show his displeasure at what
he considers the unmilitary action of the
officers Of the 9th Regiment.
II the judge advocate decides that the
officers of the 9th Regiment have
committed a serious violation of mill
tary regulations every one of them :an
be tried by court martial, and in this
event the guard will see the greatest up
roar since the days Of the old I'D
Regiment fight in 1890, when num-
ber of officers were placed under mill
tary arrest and several companies were
disbanded
In the troubles Of the 18th Regiment
in 1887 enlisted men signed petitions
against their officers during factional
fight in which Colonel EdwG-d Fackner
figured, and the situation became so dis
graceful that the military authorities
were forced to take drastic measures.
Several officers who were seen yester-
day on behalf Of Colonel Morris as
serted that the colonel had nothing TO
do with the getting up o. the petition,
and that it was done simply as an evi-
do ICE of the officers loyalty to him and
without his knowledge. None Of the Of
nccrs would be quoted, but one Of them
said:
"T do NOT consider that the officers of
the 9th Regiment have committed any
oeso,,co y.batsoover in sending a retition
| to Covarnor Dix pointing out the cx-
| ceIIont military record of Colonel Morris
and ,sLinq that he be considered for the
anrointmcnt Of chief Of coast artillery
Na 70 not fear any court martial. as Ne
bo,.o boon guiltv Of no offence. Pctl-
tione have bccn sent previous Governors
an behaIf of officers for appointment
80 cortoir nositions and nothing vas
o,,or eoid against them.
81, eoor,s ~ 10 that some ono in Al
I,any wants To- make unnecessary trouble
and that TN, ATTEMPT will fall fat. The
only thing we regret is that Colonel
| Morris should have been the victim
througb our desire 10 see him rewarded
after his long and honorable service
! The WAYS Of politics now i'm the guard
'''' '''
a d!SlntereSted oHlcer' wei NefSed IN