The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-05-26
DOWN on THE GATE CITY GUARD.
the Company Being Allowed TO
Bear Arms.

a
the Company Being Allowed TO
Bear Arms.
Word was received here yesterday that
Col. George A. Mercer, commanding the
First regiment, infantry Georgia volun-
teers, had written a letter to Gov. Akin
son. in which he protested against the
Gate City Guard of Atlanta, company of
unenlisted men. being allowed 10 appear
on the streets under arms, either alone or
in parades.
Col. Mercer when asked about the mat
ter said he received a letter a day or two
ago from Col. c. d. Gambler. commanding
the Fifth regiment infantry, saying there
was a great deal of feeling with regard to
the status of the Gate City Guard, and
asking that the other commands Of the
state assist in having the company kept
off the streets. The Gate City Guard, as
is well known, withdrew from the state
service some time ago on account of some
dissatisfaction, and since that time 1t has
been posing as a private command. hav-
ing purchased outright its own arms and
equipment.
Col. Mercer in his letter to Gov. Atkin-
son stated that the matter was demand
ing a great deal of attention among the
militia throughout the state, and he call
ed attention to the fact that under the
military laws as amended in 1885 1t is a
penal offense for a person TO belong to
any company of that kind, and that no
such company is allowed to bear arms,
except it be such a company as division
of the Knights of Pythias which is allow
ed only to carry side arms as the sword.
Col. Mercer also called attention to the
fact that young men enlist in the militia
now for years, and that they would not
desire to do so to so great an extent if
others can form such a company as the
Gate City Guard, and make the same dis
play, and have all the privileges that they
have without having to make themselves
liable to the same penalties. Col. Gambler
stated in his letter that he had heard of
other companies that contemplated TAX
ing the same course, and it might be that
companies composed of negroes would
follow this example when once 1t became
general. The military law requires every
company to attach itself to some
battalion or regiment. The Gate City
Guard, it is understood, applied to Gov.
Atkinson for permission to parade on Ne
mortal day. He referred the matter to the
attorney general and received an adverse
report, upon which he denied the request.
entered the parade anyhow, and their ac-
ton was considered defiance of the law.
Col Mercer said men could not be ex-
pected to enlist as regular soldiers il
other men were TO have the same advan-
tages and not become enlisted soldiers. He
said the presence Of such a company might
produce serious collision at some time,
IL vigorous protest was made against
its entering a parade. Col. Mercer also
wrote to Col. Gambler, stating that he
had written to Gov. Atkinson, as request
ed.
Col Mercer is the second ranking ON
Ger in the state, his commission being
the oldest now held by any living officer
of his rank. He comes, therefore, next In
command to the governor. AS command
er-in-chief of the forces, it devolves upon
the governor to act in this matter and
Col Mercer merely wishes to protest
against any such organization being al
lowed to bear arms, and to show the gov.
ernor where his duty in the premises lies