The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1879-01-24
A MILITARY COMPANY.

a MILITARY COMPANY.
IN. EDrfoR
Reading IN account Of the inaugura-
tion Of the new Governor, we noticed
dat there were military companies on
parade from Independence, Ottawa and
other towns, but nowhere did We sse
that there was one from Iola-and we
came to the sage conclusion that surely
there was none there. This leads ~ to
ask Why We cannot Organise and main.
tain . good military company
The hw requires before Accompany can
have it, three commissioned of6csrs,
captain and two ieutenanta that it
shall consist Of not les than sixty nor
more than ono hundred men.
Now At FIRST thought it will appear to
every one that sixty men cannot Be In
duced to join such company-but 1t
must be borne in mind that not one o
the eight companies in the State has
sixty men who attend regular drill, but
that company might be organised in .
town and falling to secure sixty names
enough other names we're added to whom
it was promised that - soon - the co~-
pany was in running order they should
be furloughed. This has been, a We
said, the case with most every company
usually there are about forty active
men. Now the question ID, can we raise
forty men in lola.
To begin with, We must have . band,
and We feel confident that if We had .
company there would Be no doubt but
that We could have . band second to
none in the State. That would make at
least ten men and it will b an easy
matter to get thirty more.
Of all the old army officers here there
is certainly one who would, if elected,
fill the position of commanding officer
with credit, one who would take pride
in his company. A good captain is Ger.
tainly the first requisite in company Of
this kind.
Now for what the State will do for US !:
As the law now il the Governor has
power when twenty persons petition him
to allow the formation of . military
company, to send muster rolls and if
they are signed by sixty names to allow
the company to elect its officers due
notice having been given Of the election.
The captain makes application for arms,
sergeants swords and ammunition. The
guns are SPRINGFIELD RIFLES.
When q regiment, which must con-
sist of ten companies, has been formed
the Government of the United States
issues to the several companies any
equipage to the value of $500 each.
The law further provides that when
ten companies have been organized they
shall proceed to the election of regiment
al officers and shall meet together for
drill once year.
1t is hoped by the companies that new
laws will be enacted by this Legislature
more favorable to State militia. Some
bills will be introduced for accomplish
ing this end.
Certainly we would all be in favor OF
a military company here if We thought
it would last after the first excitement.
One evening could be spent very profit
ably every week for drill and would be
a benefit physically and also give a
better knowledge of military tactics if
it should never be an advantage other
wise. 1t is we'll established fact how
ever that it is almost useless to continue
the drills of q military company any
length of time without it 10 uniformed.
A good plain uniform. consisting of
cap, pants and blouse can be gotten up
for from IS to 81. This would do until
the company could purchase parade suits.
We hope some measures may be taken
by which we shall have q company and
we believe there is pluck enough in our
boys if they really want to have it.
~