The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-19
A MUNICIPAL MILITIA.
Tina Light Infantry Company Withdraws
from the State Service.

The failure of the Legislature to make any
appropriations for the support Of the militia or
CARNATIONS of the State, it has been claimed by
the Acknowledgements and others, will have de-
moralizing effect upon the companies mustered
in the State service, for the reason that some
aid in defraying the expenses in maintaining
an organization has been expected, and
the members of the different companies
have been buoyed up in their drill work by this
expectation during the last two years. The In
dianapolis Light Infantry, of the best drilled
military companies in the United States, when
Governor Gray vetoed the military bill which
passed the Legislature, threatened to withdraw
from the State service if no appropriation was
made for the support of the militia AT meet
ing of the company, held yesterday afternoon,
this action was definitely decided upon, and the
following address to the citizens Of indianapolis
was prepared:
To the Citizens of indianapolis:
In view of action by us as an organization
we deem it due to you, to whom whatever of
support has been given from outside member
ship that should inform you of such action state
the reason therefor and define our present status
The Indianapolis Light Infantry has been in the
service of the State of Indiana for eight years past
under law which afforded its members protect on
for acts done in discharge of their duty and
which compelled them to give time and labor to such
service, not only without adequate compensation but
at an actual expense to the organization and thereby
you.
As part of the Indiana Legion we Joined in asking
the last General Assembly to provide some remedy
for this State of things by passing bill prepared for
that purpose, supporting request by petitions
from IL, 900 voters of the State. The General AS
semby approaching the business of the desired action
and invited thereto by the executive in public adj
Dress made after copy of such bill had been in his
possession for four weeks more, and after he had
been repeatedly consulted with respect its form and
provisions, did pass the bill. With what result you
are well aware.
So far organization was concerned we were
not asking any favors except simply that that which
we Justly entitled to but denied in the past
should be guaranteed in the future Again denied
our rights feel that not justified in asking
you to further contribute to support State
militia whose only service far has been land in the
future bids fair to be the protection of life and
erty In communities, the representatives of which
camored most loudly against making in
ahording such protection, compensating us there
for.
We have therefore withdrawn from the militia serv
ice OF the State; but in order that may be in q
position to aor you the security you entitled
by reason of past appreciation and support of
organization, we have, upon the petition of sundry
citizens, been enrolled as metropolitan militia re-
by the honorable Board OF Police Commission
do our whole duty promptly and faithfully Very re-
spectfuy,
THE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE L L. +.
The police commissioners last night conferred
upon the members of the company the powers
of special policemen. The company has not yet
formally notified the Adjutant-gen or the
Governor of its withdrawal from the State
service, but it will do so tomorrow. The COM
pany will then be exclusively an Indianapolis or
ganization and subject only to military service
in the city, upon the order of the police COM
miSsiCnerS