The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-03-23
STATE MILITIA BILLS.
POINTS OF THE MEASURES PEND
ING IN EACH HOUSE.
Makes some Radical Changes 10
Make the Volunteer 3uaru
More Efficient Organizations.


present law regulating the volunteer guard
OF the State. providing for an increase In
members from 5000 to 1000 men. The bill
is in the senate from Senator Terrell. and
practically the same measure was intro
duced in the house by Representative
Smyth. who is known in military circles
as brgadier general. commanding the First
brigade.
In addition to the increase and allowing
the better placing of the companies over
the State the bill provides for the organiza-
ton OF signal corps and an engineers
corps in addition to the other departments
OF the service Under the present regua-
tions regiment can not be divided into
battalions and this measure stipulates that
each regiment shall not consist OF less than
two or more than three battalons. and q
regmental band. The division battaiOns
now is for the convenience and practica-
| bility in handling them In the field, as is
well noted In the standing armies Of ad-
vanced civilized nations and particularly
Germany. where the finest field forces are
said to be maintained In that country
company consists OF 100 men. four COM
panies to a battalion and four battalions to
regiment Four majors are utilized while
under Mr. Terrelfs bill only three are re-
CURED.
\ feature that is favorably growing In
prominence in all callings of life is the
establishment Of efficiency by examination
anu in the selection OF staff officers, that
method is applicable under the provisions
OF the bill. The proficiency OF an officer
however, is established by questions per-
tanning TO military matters and manuevers
only.
The law OF 1879. furnishing officers and
| pf
the proper authority. in cases OF riot in
vasion. ETC. which was repealed in 1889.
is to be re-enacted The necessity of this
is illustrated In a recent case when a
military company was ordered by the de-
partment to report to the local authorities
at another place for action il necessary
{ one member of the company refused to
respond and the commander opened COM
munications with the authorities here i'm
modiateiy. There was no regulation, except
ing the mans OATH TO bind him TIE cap
tain resorted to an extreme measure, and
dispatched a sergeant with detachment
of armed men to bring the obstinate men,
her. II was case Of cold bluff and worked
; successfully The bill covers that point.
making 1t punishable by fine or imprison-
ment or both, TO be paid as in ordinary
cases OF misdemeanor. and. of course. with
the additional Inconvenience Of being COM
PEELED to wear the stigma Of dshonOr-
e able dis ,harge. This is also applicable to
men who fail or refuse to attend drill, as
many do.
A North Texas captain OF cavalry troop
at the opening OF one encampmem; not long
ago, found his command seriously crippled
, by reason of the lack OF enthusiasm and
members refusing at tho last moment to
g. attend the camp OF instruction. He was
4 | an ex-regular, and within twenty four
hours had dozen of his gallant riders
e before n justice court to show cause why
t they should not give to their State one
y | weeks time as their oaths provided. Two
refused still, and We're landed in jail on
A | charge that would not stand in court,
but 1t was successful in getting them on
= the field and full company attended
. | from that point
In this connection. it is said the future
a OF the Volunteer Guard of Texas depends
v largely upon the action of the legislature
. on that portion OF the appropriation bill
. giving 800 600 each year until the next reg
: ular session. to the militia of the State.
9 The bill was reported by the house finance
| committee. but there are those on the floor
r who will make this particular legislation a
n feature Of their political history and use 1t
I | in future campaigns for public morse
u ment or dsapprovai and they have given
1t circulation that the militia apportion-
= ment will be one OF the first to be tackled
= and defeated,
pl What the State needs with militia--a
= home guardian be learned by reference
= to Adiutant General Mabry's last report
" wherein the advantages of minute men
V protection is made plain.
What General Mabry has done for the
@ guard Of Texas is not realized any mort
S than by the members Of the volunteer ser
ID vice. who. Notwithstanding the absence OF
l. an annual appropriation. and encamp-
le ments. have remained members Of the com
'e panies all over Texas and kept alive the
he enthusiasm
y. Adutant General Mabry In his last an
e nunl report SAYS:
n The volunteer military force. as now
l. constituted and authorized by law, car
4 never he menace to our institutions, an,
10 since 1t Is necessary for every state Il
2 have some efficient reserved force for oc
l. casions OF great emergency. the actly,
militia Is incomparaby the best, Thcs
" emergencies are contemplated even In tri
! free government OF ours, where every ciu
. zen ought to be patriot, and posse com
itan in the absence OF an active militia
=, are the forces which are supposed to an
NJ swer the purpose.
', But posse comitau' are hurricdly sum
W moned. and therefore can not be discipline
~ for effective service. Hence an orsaniZc
W mob IL pitted against another mob botl
drawn from the same community, with 10
=, cal preiudices already engendsred for o
:" against Loss of life Will always follow
ii, and chaos and riot will prevail"
II is shown by The records in the adju
tant generals office that siNty-four com
n, panies. containing 1000 men and officers. 4
~ December, 1894. decreased to forty -elgh
n, companies. containing 2i6i men and Off
GERS. in December. 1896.
ho The membership OF the Volunteer Guar
ed IL composed principally OF the young me
nj OF the State. and the discipline they I'm
nd derRo makes Of them better citizens. Sue
a. discipline teaches them obedience to an
no respect for higher authority. 1t nculcate
az habits OF system. OF method. and Of IN
Nd dustrS--elements Of character that tend t
10. produce successful men, with better equip
mcnt for the struggle OF life as law -abdin
"a and patriotic citizens
4 The service rendered by the Voluntce
l. Guard Is a voluntary one. and without pay
n In addition the members contribute abou
re $4,000 annually 10 maintain their organ
1t. 1zation as per requirements of law. AN
70 the armory rents they pay. Without an