The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-10-17
OUR CITIZEN SOLDIERS.
THE FIRST REGIMENT ENTERS A
PROTEST.
captain II. &. Jones and Captain Ncrri-
wether Jones Tells the Public Through
the "Timcs" some Of the Troubles of
the Volunteer Soldier Iox-

Wether Jones Tells the Pubic Through
the Times" some Of the Troubles oi
the Volunteer soldier Boys.
i II seems that the officers and men Of th,
First Virginia Regiment have been having
rather II tough time in the city. oar citizen
soldiery feel deep interest in their organiIa
ton. and take special pride IN their armory
as they certainly should. But the CT,
Council does not seem t0 appreciat" ih'
position that the regiment occupies. In
members of the regiment ito NOT r'-.I'
themselves ~ holiday men except Mhri
occasion requires. and they MAINTAIN ihh'
the city owes them All the, receive ana
more besides. But the Council pulls ih'
armory on different footing. lhel -af ih'
city built the amory. and that they can d'
~ they please with II.
The officer, and men of the regiment liiIel
with the Council IN this point. and talk ha'
been rife that II the city wishes 10 make
the Arinory a public hall for general Dos,
then the city can Use it, hut the soldier
will move ont
WHAT THE OFFICERS SAY.
The TIMES heard of this di-anecion. an'
found two officer, who desire 10 publish. ih'
sentiment. Of the regiment ON this point.
which they accompany with the stat"
menf. that unless there j, "a change. IN mai
tiers we will soon have no fir-t Nir.ihii
Regiment. The colonel and the Lieutenant
colonel have already resigned. and captain
/ Henry {. Jones, who is spoken oi as lh'
future colonel will not accept nndt
present circumstances. The feeling oi lh
/. regimental officers are expressed ln the FOL
lowing communication:
10 he Ed,for offhc Times:
The officers Of the First Virginia Rel
mcnt. without undue feeling. desire io,l~ai
through your columns 10 the public.
II may perhaps. IN the mind, ~ some
seem possible that our citizen military ar
actuated by holiday motives. This D.
mistake. The martial spirit. ~ course
moves the First Regiment. bat along VII.
il comes higher principles.
They believe that the existence ~ wei
organized and disciplined volunteer ser
vice j. an essential adjunct to The police de
paument of our government.
70 accomplish this organization ANA as
cipline requires much time and money
time from both officers and men. The MONEY
90 maintain the organization i- WInripHll
reached from the men composing ih' several
companies of the volunteer service.
\ PROPER DEGREE OF ErfiCiENcN
requires considerable amount of funds
IN the case of the First regiment 10 re4uir.
more than $1,000 per annum 90 accompli-.
this. OF this slim. the city ot kchn1n'
fmui~hc, $l.Ou. the balance of Do ~ 0h
tanned bv much hard work on tine part ID
tine officers and men. the officer, ami me'
Of the regiment have in the past been dnH
% accomplish ihi, work.
They now find themselves. owing in
combination OF circumstances beyond lh'
control. unable 90 bear the burden longer
Who is 20 do il in the iutures
Within the nest feW days The officers d.
the regiment viii tax, final action 900 tlr
important matter.
We deem il our duty % call the attention
Of the public % the foregoing facts. a- Wel
A. 10 continued Interruptions 90 ile Nur.
entrusted 90 the officer, OF the regiment. h'
the Use Of the ArmOry for other than mill
tarv purposes. This interruption of miiiflr
routine. combined with other clu,e-. hf
tended 90 create great -ilcti1n anon.
tine men aud officer, a. the regiment. ol
fWo companies have lost from these cause
hftx-fNe men within the last twelve months
HENRY &. JONF-.
Captain of Company j.:
NERIWElIER joss.
Captain of Company q.
The sentiments OF the FIRST \ir-inIa Re-
imcut as above set forth are worthy 90 iN
most careful consideration ui iA- Council
our citizen sOldicry Afford the -rt~iest pos
.blo protection t0 the lives and property OBJ
our citizens. being always ready in rrfun'
10 any call for their.~erA ire~ in ease ni nl-
order or laWlc~-nr-.. III would he ID public
misfortune il the regiment should be- permit
ted to di-hand because of u0t being granite.
the reasonable demand that they Doe permit
ted 10 enjoy uudi>furhed u-e Of ihe oni.
place where t.ey can properly drill 1n'
diesinffn4 fheir forces