Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-10-26
TERRITORIAL MILITIA.
Some Business-like Queries Put to the
Candidates for Legislative
HonOrs.

Company B, 1st regiment, New Mexico
militia, through 4 committee designated
for the purpose, has addressed the follow
ing to all nominees for legislative Eonors
in Santa Fe county:
Dear Sir.-We have to most respectful
ly call your attention to the fact that, at
a meeting of company B, 1st regiment,
infantry, New Mexico militia, held at its
headq uarters, in Santa Fe, N. NJ, on the
evening of October %, A. D., 1894, the
undersigned committee was duly consti-
tuted and appointed to obtain an ex-
preston, in writing, from the respective
candidates for election to the council and
assembly Of the coming legislative as
sembly of the territory Of New Mexico,
Of their respective views in relation to
the passage of a just and equitable mill
tia law wherein will be appropriated an
adequate amount to defray arinory rent,
and expenses of fuel, lighting, ianitor,
uniform closets, for the several com panies
constituting the militia forces of this ter
ritory; and also for transportation in 60
ing to and returning from the place
designated by the governor and com
mander in chief of such forces for hold
ing annual encampment, inspection and
review of such forces; and also part, at
least, of the cost of properly uniforming
the respective members of such organiza-
| tions.
! AT present there is virtually no militia
law for New Mexico and the members of
the militia have to pay out of their own
pockets all the above referred to expenses,
excepting for uniforms, which are partly
provided for by the United States.
While every member of the militia
forces of this territory is ready and willing
to ''go where duty calls them" and to lay
down his life in support of the laws of
the United States aud of New Mexico, if
necessary, yet the territory has not ap
proprinted one single cent toward pay
ment of the expenses mentioned.
| We are informed and believe New Mex
| leo is the only territory in the Union,
which has no. just militia law. All the
other territories ana every state has one
and thus recognize and take pride in
their militia and the result is most excel
lent discipline and great enthusiasm
therein.
We are of the opinion that the treat
ment of New Mexico of her militia, in the
past, has, for the reason stated, been very
unjust. Almost everyone of the members
of the militia forces Of this territory is a
poor man who can not possibly afford to
continue the expenses burdened upon
him, and while he is willing to give, free,
all necessary time that may be required
of him in the discharge of his duty he is
unable to contribute longer toward the
ex penses stated.
We, therefore, pursuant to the sense of
the above mentioned meeting, most re-
spectfully request you to declare your
SELF in writing, on this militia question,
and if you will pledge yourself to do all
in your power, if elected, to give to New
Mexico a just militia law wherein shall
be properly appropriated money ade-
quate to defray the expenses indicated
herein, We pledge ourselves respectively
and as an organization, to be friendly to-
ward you in this political campaign and
those of us who may be in accord with
your political persuasion, will work for
you and give you our earnest and hearty
support in such campaign.