The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1891-11-26

forces of the State. under the laws governing the
same taking up the work rs left Off by my pre-
decc>sor in Office and finishing the arming and equip
ment of the companies which had already been must
cred into service. and were entitled to proper recOg
milton. Every ciIorts being made. however, to make
the appropriation of arms clothing and equipment
go far possible. So rs To have balance left for
these companies. it bein. deemed good policy To
courage limited number Of such commands, which
from tlac to time, can be taken into active MALTA
rs racacics from any cause may occur. In order to
make ifesc supplies 20 rs ar possible, and also IN
compliance with State regulations, 10 keep our forces
uniformed alike, 1t has bern adopted n ule of this
Department 10 issue only the tigue suits and leave
the commands to supply the gray dress regulation
suits. with the assistance II the State animal appro
priaton.
II the present wise policy of the State of limiting
he number Of active militia cnmpanes-thereby
looking the quality and efficiency than tn the
number OF troops-is continued. and of the present
appropriation from the United States government
forarms, uniforms and equipments, backed BY lib
cra, reasonable appropriation from the State, Is also
continued 1t will not be long before We vii have not
only thoroughly armedand equipped mill tia force IN
this State but also (by little change In the appca
on Of the fund appropriated by the State TO encour-
age the set OF men TO remain in each company
y thoroughly well drilled and disciplined force. OF
whish the State really feel proud, In comparison
with any other. The reduced appropriation for this
year Is somewhat discoraging to the troops and ser
vice, but is confidently expected that more liberal
policy will hereafter prevail and 1t is hoped that We
may be able to secure regular annual Appropriation
of $500 per man passing inspection. II this were
done anG roviso inserted In the law requiring GER
uin to be paid out of the annual appropriation to
every who dies In the active miltin, or Is
actually injured killed while in the active or actual
service of the State, 1t wonld make the annual
appropriation Act us sort OF mutual insurance fund
and insure also the thorough drill and discipline of
the troops by keeping the same set OF men continually
in service In the event of such changes being made
now hereafter would suggest that the laws be
amended to require the organization of ct least
one company in each County, and also to limit the
number of men allowed to each company, and thus
equalizc somewhat the distribution OF the men;
and thereby Of the fund also In the State. In would
also require every pay member or each company OF
the active militia to be "regnlary enrolled and present
accounted for dropped from the rolls at the reg
ular inspection.
In conclusion, allow me to say that my general
inspection of the troops of the State well tho
military display made at various points, and more
particularly NJ the Centennial. have very ceary
demonstrated the tact that South Carolina has much
better military force at her command than our people
are aware Of 1t Is with pride as we'll as pleasure
that can that In spite OF oil the trouble
and suffering through which our people have passed.
within tho last thirty years, they now show that
their military enthusiasm and spirit are not broken
and that they full aware Of and alive to- not only
the military record and heroism our people, out are
also prepared for oil ordinary emergencies tnat are
likely to arise In the present or near future OF the
State
Our military force ranks about third among the
States so far as actual numbers are concerned but In
proportion to population 1t ranks among the hrst,
while 80 far as aleriD Is concerned II Is not second to
any. Ithas, too large degree, armed and equipped
itself and organizations have been really kept up
by the pride and spirit of the men who compose them
They belong to and part OF tho people, and are
of course perfcc, sympathy with theu and are now
the best guarantee the State has for the preservation
of peace and good order, and OF the lives liberty ana
property of our people. 1t will require but little
more encouragement and assistance than Is now given
by the State to make 1t permanent as well as
thorough and complete organization equal, II not
superior to any of our sister States.
H. L. FARLEY,
Adjutant and Inspector General