New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-28
Governor Appoints the Ad-
iutant General Major Gen.
eral to Succeed General
0'Ryan, Retired.
NEW CHIEF A REPUBLICAN
Politicians Think It Wont Take
Sulzer Long to Ask the
Senate to Confirm a
Democrat in His
Place.
rBy Telegraph to The Tribune.

Albany. Dec. 27.-"Partisapship has
no place I'm the national guard, said
Governor Dix to-day in announcing the
appointment Of Adjutant General Will
lam Verbeck as major general to sue
ceed General John F.. Organ, retired.
General Verbeck is a Republican, and
il is believed here he will be allowed to
remain head 'ot the national guard only
a short time.
Democrats. on hearing of the appoint
mcnt, declared the Dix ideas about
partisanship were not shared by the
next Governor or the next Senate. II
is known that Governor Dix has been
severely criticised by Democratic lead
ers because he retained Nerbeck 50
long as adjutant general
The appointment of a major general
has to be confirmed by the Senate, and
il is M 10 Governor-elect Sulzer to de-
eide whether he will send in the name
nj Verbeck or will choose some other
officer. The new major general :
chances with Sulzer and the next Sen
ate are considered anything but good.
Dix Gives His Reasons.
Governor Dix gave cut the follow
ing statement:
In the appointment of Brigadier Gen
eral William Nerheck To he major gen
ersl Of the national guard ol tne SSaae e
} am of the firm opinion lhdl Tue besl
interest of that organization Is oeihN
served and its progressive eIhcleheS
maintained. -,;....,
General O'Rvan OF mis- command ad-
yieed with those qualified TO Know tle
past history and failure needs oi the
Guard and have concluded lhal, 10 pre-
serve the efficiency ana nonoF OF 'ne
militia Of the state successor ''
named al once TO the position.
partisauship has no place I'm the ma
G5IIl guard. but strict QpSeI Nd.iSC -
military discipline Is esscaJdl 10 us We
|Jre and usefulness Fof those IraS.'lS'
and for the demonstrated ability OF Zen
.raI Vorbcck. / have this day appointed
hm major general
Major General Nerbeck succeeds
John j.. O'Ryan. who was retired by
Governor Dix last october. For
months there had been friction between
O'Ryan and Verbeck because of the
efforts Of the former To get a salary ior
the Office Of major general Nerbeck
was bitterly opposed to the move, de
claring it against the military law, and
ne was upheld by the Governor
O'Ryan brought an action in the
courts to test the legality Of The Gov
ernor's order retiring him and trans
ferrinc his duties To Adjutant General
verbeck. as chief of staff. Attorney
General Carmody gave his permission
about a week ago to bring this suit in
the name of the people Of the state
I'm his appointment to-day Governor
Dix apparently did not take the effect
This suit might have into consideration.
Governor and General Close Friends.
Governor Dix has always shown par
ticular friendship for General Nerbeck,
I'm spite Of the latters politics, and
many have attributed this TO Verbeck )
social connections. IT is, however, con-
ceded that the new major general is
one Of tho best soldiers and authorities
ON military tactics in the state.
The Governor issued four orders to-
day before accomplishing the appoint
ment Of General Verbeck as head OF
the national guard. The first order
commissioned the adjutant general as
major general, which was done in the
presence Of the Governor The second
authorized General Verbeck to execute
the required oath Of Office and file it in
the Office Of the adjutant general
within ten days. and he did this to-
day. This made the Office of adjutant
Continued on fourth page. fourth column.