The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-01-08
Georgia's Military Companies.

The military organizations Of this state
I have been complaining for years Of their
/ treatment by the legislature, and not with
( out reason. They are practically ignored.
/ Very little attention is paid to their de-
mands for assistance Their Importance is
appreciated, and it is admitted that there is
absolute need for them. At any hour
there may be a demand from some part Of
TIE state for the services Of some of them.
There is not n single company that would
not respond promptly to a call for assist
ance, although a response might involve
considerable pecuaiary sacrifice, and the
duty required to be performed might be
dangerous one.
There are other states which do not deal
any more literally and justly with their
military organization than Georgia Ala
bama has few companies of volunteer sol
diers Of which she has reason to be proud.
They are composed of as soldierly-looking
men as can be- found IN the union, and they
are superbly drilled. Some of them were
sent to Birmingham to maintain order in
that city during the excitement that fol-
lowed the firing upon the mob which at
tackled the iail there. They conducted
themselves in such a manner as to win gen
eral admiration. Their position was try
ing one. They were jeered and insulted by
the excited citizens, and, although among
friends and acquaintance, they were
treated like enemies. They did no fighting
because there was none TO be done, but they
were ready for any emergency. If it had
not been for their presence there might have
been great riot in Birmingham, in which
many lives and much property probably
would have been destroyed. But how are
these volunteer soldiers cared for by the
state of Alabamaf
During nearly all the time they were on
duty at Birmingham the weather was wet
and cold. In his report Col Thomas G.
Jones, who commanded them, says: at
was raining most of the time, and the
troops, who were without blankets and
overcoats, were compelled to do guard duty
in the mud, rain and cold, and often to sleep
on the ground without shelter of any kind
On three occasions in the past five years the
people of Alabama have seen her citizen
soldiers, while engaged in the enforce
ment of her laws, exposed for days
" IuS Idlu dHu COiu VI winter
without overcoats, blankets, or
prope equipments Of any kind Men who
are willing to stake their all in the defense
Of the state should not be required to risk
the loss of life and health from any ex-
posture which can be obviated by moderate
expenditure on the part of the state. This
long neglect OF the wants Of the troops is
unworthy of a great state, aud has had a
very discouraging effect upon the entire
organization. If not remedied in the near
future it will soon destroy the morale Of the
state troops"
Tho members Of the Georgia legislature
can read these words of Col. Jones witt
profit. They are about as applicable in
his state as in Alabama, because Georgia's
policy, with respect to her militia, is not
more gener Jus than that of Alabama. Some
Of her military companies may be better
equipped than those of Alabama, but thew
are under no obligations to the state for
their equipment There are companies
that, if called out on duty when the
weather was Inclement, would suffer Sc
verely
No state will be the loser by being gener-
GUS with her militia The occasions when
state troops are needed are not frequent,
but they are certain to occur, and emergen-
cies are likely TO arise in which the services
they would render would be worth far more
than a liberal annual appropriation for
their maintenance would amount to in many
years.