The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-07-26

4 &. 4 taart b f = 81 IL =. Z
over the phone about other matters,
and inquired as to what they had done
with regard to filling the vacancy made
in the regiment by Col. Claffy's retire
ment. and jokingly asked the question:
How would they like to have a big,
fat man. like myself as lieutenant COL
enel" to which Major Caldwell re-
piled: General, that is big come
down, from brigadier general to lieu
tenant colonel. To which replied
that I would probably find it more
pleasant in camp than in the Office on
account Of the friction which has oc-
Cured with the governor about ad-
ministration of affairs in my Office.
Major Caldwell stated that he would
take the matter up If desired, and let
me know how they felt about it. I
stated to him that I was only joking
and was not serious about the matter.
When he insisted I said: Well, you
may find out how they feel about
t.
'The next morning. on going to
camp, Major Caldwell stated to me
that he had seen some of the officers.
but that they had not decided as to
what would be done regarding the Sc
lection of an officer to fill the position
made vacant by Col. Claffy's retirement
on account of physical disqualifica-
tions; that officers of the I'd were
thinking OF accepting the position, but
that when he called to the attention
of these officers the fact that they
would have to stand a rigid examina-
ton before officers Of the regular
army, they did not think that they
were going to accept it. He further
stated that there was some talk of Sc
lecting Col. Gary. commandant of the
Citadel. and that he knew nothing
whatever of this officer.
My reply was that If they had de-
lcided on Col. Gary they had made no
mistake whatever. that he was just the
i man needed to fill this position, and
that as far as I personally was con-
lcerned, that had never allowed my
personal ambitions to interfere with
the efficiency of the organized militia,
and that If Col. Gary could be secured
to fill this position it would be the
best thing that had ever happened for
the End infantry.
This is as near verbatim as can be
4 stated with regard to the conversation
lthat took place between Major Cald-
we'll and myself. and desire the pub
lie to contrast the statement made by
him with mine. and 1 leave it to them
to decide the question Of veracity be-
tween the two. F
II later in the day had a converse
tion with Dol. Springs. commanding
the End infantry, on this same subject,
land to him made the same state
ment that made to Major Caldwell,
that II they could secure Col. Gary to
All this position that 1t would be the
best thing possible for this regiment,
for the officers as we'll as the men
} would be the beneficiaries of his splen-
did military training. I also repeated
to him just what my feelings were
with regard to the matter, and am
sure that Col. Springs will corroborate
J my statement that there was TO evil
dence whatever Of my being sore
because did not get the appoint
ment. nor was 1 disappointed in the
least.
His sole motive in giving out this
interview Is to poison the minds of the
public against me. This I am per-
fectly willing to leave to public judg-
ment, and when they have fully di-
gested both statements have no fear
Of what their verdict will be.
II desire to say. as I stated to Ma
jor Caldwell, that was not unmind-
ful OF the services which he had rem
ldered, and wish to say that theo-
retically he is one of the best posted
men in the State on military matters.
But he Is absolutely lacking in practi-
ical knowledge; he is devoid Of tact,
land his judgment in many Instances
Is unsOund and unbalanced. He has
been stickler for military discipline
and enforcement Of the same, on the
part OF others, and when he has dis
played, as he has in this instance, such
a disregard for it, I must say that I
am very much surprised at the man.
But this Is day of surprises to us ALL
and we may expect almost anything In
this age Of changeableness and dis
loyalty"
York, July 20 (Via Columbia, July
unk ~ H.