Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-14
IA. so,a,er ana His rnpIsyer.


The Charlottesville Progress find. that
there Is disposition on the part OF tn'
employers Of some Of the young men
belonging, to the Monticello Guard 70 muir
| muir at the enforced absence OF THESE
young men from their business duties
"of course" says the Progress. we can
we'll appreciate the inconvenience 'he'e
persons experience; but when we CONSIDER
| that the inconvenience IL mutual-that tns
members Of the Guard are not on p'ea'
! sure trip-that the duties they are per
| forming are onerous, not unmlxed WIN
danger and constant restraint, which 'hey
would gladly cscape-we can readhy sec
| that their employers here are not 'he
| only ones making the sacrifice" Ana 'he
! Progress goes on to say that any think
| ing person knows that the existence OF
| the militia is an absolute necessity 10 i""
| and order: that II cannot exist wHnou'
| the voluntary act Of the persons cohpos-
| inr that militia. and that when enhs'eu
| they become the servants on the sta'e'
subject 10 the order OF the Governor. ana
any refusal or neglect on their part 10
OBEY OIQfIS sud- CTS tI'ii ~ t''~f
ties. and dishonor. SO that volunteer
militlaman is not his own master. cannot
control his actions when the state ue-
mands his service, and at times Ike the
present Is wholly irresponsible Tor ms
own presence or condition" and 1t adds.
eve hope those who are disposed to grum-
bic AT the enforced absence " their en-
Of n
cIude to share. for the general good, the
sacrifice which their employees are
making"
II may be that there has been some
murmuring here such as the Progress
speaks of. but If so we have not heard OF
II.
II would be an excessively unpopular
thing in this community for any business
man 10 dismiss or TO threaten to dismiss
an employee who was away from home
doing duty for the Commonwealth Any
one who showed such lack OF pubnc
spirit, such narrowness OF mind ana I'M
faithfulness to the cause Of law and order
would receive the reprobation of all his
fellow-citizens whose opinions are worth
having
We know OF one businessman who had
two OF his clerks taken from him by the
call Of the Howitzers to Pocahon-
tas. who not only gave them leave.
but kindly offered them their
pay fer thirty days in advance. He.e
was case where the employer was not
only willing to part with his employees
forAhe public good, but was particular
10 assure them that their patriotism was
appreciated. And we know of other IN.
stances where Richmond employers as
sursd their soldier-boy employees that
work to their dhe sodiersD disadvan-
tage.
The truth is that the services Of our
volunteers are becoming more and more
important every year. and the time may
possibly come when instead of tolerating
employees who are volunteers. employers
viii require" all their young men to be-
long to some military organization.
Public sentiment here in Richmond
grows stronger and stronger in favor OF
encouraging and supporting our volunteer
companies. Not 10 speak of the gratifica-
ton that they afford us by their parades
on ceremonial occasions through them
we are able TO maintain for emergencies
a reliable State police force--a force that
acts as deterrent upon lawless men;
arms against the peace Of the State.