The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-13
THE TEXAS RANGERS.
StiII Part of the Texas COnstabu-
larry, But on the Wane.

larry, But on the Wane.
H. S. Garfield in the Chicago Times
Herald.
In the appropriation bill which the leg
islature of Texas has been called in ex-
traordinary session to consider is an item
which provides for the maintenance of the
ranger force. 1t will not exceed $25 900, and
the smallness of the sum emphasizes the
decadence of an arm remarkable for its
singularity and efficiency. There is moth
ing exactly similar among the forces of
the world. The mounted constabulary of
South Africa BEARS perhaps, a closer re-
semblance than any other, though there
are wide divergences. In the Texas band
the military factor of personal equation"
is at its strongest and best, because, al
though under semi-discipline, each mem
Der depends pretty much upon himself
Literally his hand guards his head. This
teaches self-reliance decision tenacity
of purpose and stoicism. Physical courage
and endurance are, of course, necessities.
So are obedience, craftsmanship, sobrie-
ty, a knowledge of firearms, clear eyes
and steady fingers.
The Texas ranger wears no uniform. His
dress Is composed of stout dark trousers,
sometimes protected by overalls, a wooden
shirt, heavy sack coat, sombrero, boots,
stout gloves and spurs. His arms are
single-action 45-caliber Colts siX-shooter
and a Winchester carbine-not rifle. He
furnishes his own horse and bedding. If
the horse is killed In action the state re-
places it. If 1t dies or is stolen the ranger
must get another The pay is $50 a month
for privates, $40 for sergeants, SIS for
lieutenants and 800 for captains. The
state feeds them. Their supplies include
-four, coffee, sugar, lard, bacon, beef,
mutton and canned goods. They Stay
much game and add variety to the bill of
fare in that way The men do their own
cooking. A negro man acts as cook and
rough-handed valet for the captain. Also
he is a driver and handles the four-mule
team when it was necessary to take
wagon.
Owing TO the settlement of the frontier
and the gradual establishment OF law and
order the ranger force has steadily de-
creased for some years past. Formerly it
consisted of six companies, numbering APP
proXimatey 100 men each, and lettered A.
b, c, ID, + and +. Company A had
charge of the Panhandle country, in the
northwest. and Company + was stationed
on the Lower Rio Grande. To-day there
are not more than fifty men in the serv-
ice, all told, nor are they of so high
class as those who risked their lives back
in the eighties. In those days the compo-
sition OF the companies was unique. No
! native Texans were In the ranks. They
were not enlisted, because Il was feared
that their home affiliations would inter-
fere with their work. The men came from
all sections Of the union, lured by the
spirit of adventure. They were young and
| hardy. and In the veins of most OF them
flowed the best blood of America. With
such men Il went without saying that
great things could be accomplished They
were filled with the personal pride that
Is a part OF the gentleman, and were
ready 90 fight anybody at any time and
about anything. They were the preux
chevaliers of Mexican dance halls, the low
ers OF soft-eyed senoritas, and the terror
OF all that long, tortuous sandy border.
Many of them were collegians In Com
pany Il fifteen years ago were two gradu-
ates of Yale, one OF Harvard, one OF
Princeton, three from the University OF
Virginia and a dozen from the smaller
southern and western universities. Some
OF them now are high In political place
IN the state OF their adoption. Others
sleep In the sandy stretches that sweep
down TO the tawny river and even their
graves have been leveled by the constant
winds. A camp OF these men at early
nightfall was a sight TO be remembered
Tor the very incongruity OF Il. Around
them were the kndfieu iorms OF the mes
quite. black In tho nickering freight
Mlsshapen giant cactus stood sentlnels.
Near by the tethered horses paved rest
lessy. Afnr on the wind came the short
excited barking OF the night fox or the
long howl OF the prairie wolf. OF the
campers one. lying upon his stomach with
the stub OF "A pencil In his hand and a bit
OF brown paper within three inches Of his
nose. would be working out an abstruse
mathematical problem for his own amuse-
mont. Another, perched upon a fun sack
VI CORN would DO studying the stars