Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-08-15
Tacoma Militia Companies are
Anxious to Receive Pay
For Their Services
Suit Will be Instituted at Once
to Compel the State TO
Liquidate
If the State Cannot be Com
PEELED to Foot the Bills,
King County Must

TACOMA, Aug. l4-lne SquaDDle
over the militia matter has reached
rather alarming proportions. The
temper Of the Tacoma companies
borders on mutiny, which is practi-
cally encouraged by the utter disgust
of the officers with the shabby treat
ment received at the hands of the
state auditing officers. 1t has been
decided TO sue the state for the dein-
quent pay due on accout Of the mining
troubles.
Colonel Haines has been here in con-
sultation with the local militia officers,
and it has been decided TO take the
matter at once before the supreme
court, if possible, that a final decision
may be reached as speedily as the law
will permit. The main thing desired
is that the officers all understand the
situation thoroughly and agree to
stand by each other in the joint con
test for the wages due their several
companies. The officers will become
personally responsible for the expenses
Incurred in the suit brought.
In Tacoma Companies g and G and
Troop b are the organizations that
will be affected by the joint move
ment. The payroll Of Company G,
with the expenses incurred in camp,
approximates 5000, IL having been
out longer than the other companies
The payrolls of Troop Il and Company
G. will increase the amount due the
| Tacoma troopers and militiamen u
something like 5000.
Captain Fife, Of Company G, when
seen today admitted that movement
! is on foot TO sue the state, and that "A
| plan is being perfected for the officers
to meet and take joint action. Just
what communication had passed be-
tween himself and Colonel lIaines on
| the subject he would not. for the pres
ent, diyulge.
"This trouble is all the dOings of
o. 'Brien," said Captain Fife, who is
ever ready to get whack at the al
legged derelict adjutant general. "lt
was he who set the governor up TO re-
fuse TO pay the militia. Is the state
responsible for their pay? Why, most
certainly IL is. The militia was called
out with the knowledge and consent of
both Ferry and O'Brien. We propose
to get our pay from the state, instead
of asking county TO pay US. If we
fail, then there will be time left TO look
to King county.
"The decision of Attorney-GcneraI
Jones regarding the militia's pay is
being generally laughed at by law
yers," he continued. 81 have talked
with some of the best attorneys In tho
state, who hold that he is wrong. He
quoted law in that opinion tnat has
gone out Of effect. Colonel Iiaine'
drafted both the old law and the new
one. Jones used the old law Lawyers
familiar with the opinion consider i
quite a Joke"
What do you propose 10 do to get
the supplies now stored at Olympiay
1.-TWO courses are open. We intenC
either to mandamus OBrien and com
pei him TO distribute those supplies, OF
else the entire First regiment may x
out of existence by filing the resigna
tions of the officers and men. Thi'
much is sure, the militia is no Longer
to be made the toy Of the adjutant
general as il has in the past.
"Why, the boys all hate o. Brien
they can't help it," Captain Fife wen
on. warming up TO the subject. I'll,
has got $4,000 worth Of stuff piled ul
there at Olympia and the companie
are destitute. 1t is nothing less thar
shameful. Part Of the supplies he ha
sent out are no good. For instance
Company G loaded up at the mine
last month with 1900 rounds OF am
munitiOn which IL was found, later
would not fit their guns.
"The supplies are provided by tn
state for the National Guard, not 70
one man, and we propose either I
, have them or 90 out of the business.