The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-16
STAND BY THE TROOPS.
TIE MILITARY INDIGNANT oV 7
9HE RAINEY BILL.

The Effect of the Bill on the Stat.
Forces-rhe Feeling Among the
vannah Companies-Speculatlo as
to the Source of the Movement to
Repeal the Encampment Fund.
Savanuah's military is worked up over
the bill introduced in the legislature Mon
day by Representative Rainey to repeal the
eucampmeat fund for 1899, and give its ap-
propriation to the common school fund. If
the resolution passes it will have a very de-
moralizng effect upon the states volunteer
forces, which had recently been led to be-
levs it was beginning 70 appreciate their
services.
Col. Mercer of the First regiment said
yesterday he hardly believes the resolution
will prevail. He thinks the military has
enough friends in the legislature to defeat
the measure, which is entirely uncalled for.
II may get few votes, but
Col. Mercer feels satisfied that the
majority of the legislature realizes that its
passage would place the state in the awk-
ward position of breaking faith with the
military. 1t is pledged to the appropris-
ton for 1892 and the military has made
arrangements accordingly.
ATLANTA MAY BE BEHIND IT.
Col. Mercer leans to the belief that the
resolution Is the outgrowth of the kicking Of
the Atlanta troops, who failed TO get into
the state encampment. In support OF this
he called attention to the fact that the reso-
luton, which passed the House, to draw from
next years appropriation TO continue the
encampment, was defeated in the Senate by
Senator Todd of the Atlanta district.
Lieut.. Col. Reilly is not as sanguine of
the defeat of the resolution as Col. Mercer
is. He thinks there is a great possibility
of its passage from the fact of its having
the common school rider" attached. This.
be said, is popular thing with the present
legislature, which is made up mostly OF
all1ancemen. Col. Reilly believes the pas
sage of the resolution would be the most
impolitic thing ever done in Georgia. 1t
would be direct rebuke to Gov. NOrthen,
who in his message stated, 1t is most essen
tial TO the peace and welfare of the state
that the military OF the state be supported.
EXAMPLES TO PROFIT BY.
Georgia, continued Col. Reilly. SHOULD
profit by the experience OF Ohio, Pennsyl-
vania and other northern states. Both
Ohio and Pennsylvania paid little atten-
ton to their military until after they had
suffered iucalcuiable losses both In life and
property on account of riots Look at the
Cincinnati riots Of few years ago. Riot
reigned for several days The court house,
with invaluable records which money
could never replace, was destroyed, and a
large number Of lives sacrificed. Had Ohio
stood by its military in days Of peace, and
had a thoroughly organized force,
penea. AZ the very next session
Of the legislature large appropriation was
made tor the military, and this amount mas
been increased annually until now Ohio
has volunteer militia force second to none.
"The same thing may be said of Penn
sylvania. She waited until millions of
mining and public property were destroyed
before recognizing the necessity for a state
militia"
GEORGIA MAY BE SORRY.
Does Georgia" added Col Reilly, wish |
to 20 through ike experience before Civ |
ing her military sufficient support TO keep |
up It's organization. The reason why we |
have been 50 fortunate in this
matter for past years is the
fact that the militia has kept up at its In
divldual expense and has exercised a potent |
influence over riotously inclined persons.
The military always had hopes Of being |
recognized and supported by the state some |
day, and now just when the soldiers had be. |
gun to believe that hope was to be realized |
in fair way the passage of the Rairey reso-
luton would have q disastrous and de-
moraliZing effect upon them. II would be
TO them practical fiat that the state doesn't
want their services"
ut is just as necessary" said Col Reilly,
ito support the military arm OF the state
service as it is to support ard uphold the
courts. One is force to crush and sup
press crime, and the other is TO punish
criminals. Both are necessary to every
commonwealth. l hope Georgia has men
in her legislature with sufficient
foresight to look into the
future and recognize the necessity
GtrnDn HicOipIiua1 .vA |
militia, IN view OF the increasing growth of
the population, and stamp their disapproval
OF the attempt to weaken the states most
powerful arm by defeating ths unwarranted
resolution
CANNOT KEEP UP.
Col. Garrard Of the Guards battalion ex-
pressed views similar to Coils Mercer and
Reilly. be believes that il the resolution
passes many young companies which have
Deen organized IN the past two OF three
years will disbard. He was Indignant at
the comment of an Atlanta paper that the
encampment was a 'bust"-'that is it
wasn't continued success He said the
reports OF the United States officers would
prove the falsity Of the statement, and show
most conclusiveiy that it was a success.
weli-known lawyer, who was near by
during the conversation, remarked that the
only gust" he had heard OF In connection
with the military Of the state was the
pusG OF an oIlcer OF The Atlanta Rifles at
fhe Hotel Cumberland last Friday night.
when he broke up ball
TROOPS A NECESSITY.
Many members of the various companies |
were spoken 10 about the resolution. and |
all condemned it in strongest terms 40. |
no, we're not necessity said one, until |
there is riot in the country. Then these
very people that oppose giving the military
any support howl the loudest to the gov
ernor to send the military to protect their
lives and property If the state isn't able
to support its troops then the best thing
that can be done is for US to disband and let
these burning geniuses Of the legislature look
out for themselves in time of riot and
disorder. suppose that some of them
think that the state pays for the equip.
ments which are furnished by the general
government. In fact heard member Of
the legislature once remark that he thought
the military ought to be satisfied to have
the state buy them guns and belts"
The soldiers of Savannah will anxiously
watch the course the legislature takes in
this matter.
LATE TRAINS ALL AFRO UND.