The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-30
MASTERING OUT
OF THE SECOND.
A Statement from ReDre-
sentative YOSt.
No POLITICS IN 1T.
He Replies to Criticisms Published by
Several Newspapers.
THE MEN ANXIOUS TO GET OUT.
While the Officers Were Equally De-
sirous OF Remaining i'm the Service.
Difference i'm Salaries Noted.
MIR. Bowden Defendcd-But
Few of the Men Came
From His District.

WASHINGTON, Sept 29.-special-
Representative Jacob Yost, Of the Tenth
Virginia District, was in the city yester-
day and to-day on the way TO his home
I'm Staunton from Philadelphia
His attention was called TO the state
ment published ia several papers to the
effect that he had been instrumental in
having the Second Virginia Regimen,
mustered out and that Mr.. George Z.
Bowden. of Norfolk, was charged also
with using his influence TO the same END.
the alleged object of Nj B0wden being
90 retain the Fourth Regiment IN the
service and thereby prevent about stO
Democrats from voting In the Second DIS
trict.
In regard 20 this statement Mr.. Yost
had the following TO say:
NO POLITICS IN 1T.
II know nothing Of Mr.. Bowden's
efforts. SO far as my experience goes,
politics have PLAYED but little part al the
War Department and I feel certain that
the matter of votes did not carry teath-
ers weight in determining which regi-
ments should be mustered out and whicn
retained I think 81 improbable thar
such q subject emanated from Mr. Bow
den I'm the FIRST place, but few OF the
soldiers in the Second Regiment came
from the Second District and, therefore,
Mr. EowIen could not have felt any
deep interest personally In the second
Place. it is unjust and unfair 70 the De-
nartmert 90 intimate that certain or
ganlzations were mustered out or retain
ed in the service. not for good military
reasons. but solely because or political
influence TO any one who has ha1 bua-
mess with the Department such talk la
sIllv.
MY connection with the mastering out
OF the Second Regiment can be stated
very briefly After the close of active
hoetIHties. ft was arrOCnccd as the pol
fcv Of the Department that discharges
would be- erauted where tho applicant
gaye g00l reasons i0r desiring 90 leave
the service In common with other mem
hors 7 applied for a number or disfharees
f0r soldiers who had sent their apphca-
ti0ns TO noe.
"On the 10th OF September ] was az the
Dc1arfmeut with "a lOng list of these ape
nllcau0ns From one company IN ne
second Reeimeat there We're twenty odd.
Ivhru Che Assistant Adiutant-Generu
looked over the ilst and saw how many
auulicafi0rs there were and now many
were arU'ying from one company, he re-
marked that it would break mp the COM
uany and that he would have 20 see tEe
Secretary OF War about it.
ALGER CONSENTED.
Ho took the list tO the Secretary. II
was just about the time the department
was deciding as 90 which regiments were
TO DO mustered out, and it may have been
thar my long list OF applications, coming
lust at the 0pportune moment turned the
scales in favor of the Second AZ any
rate. when the Assistant Adlutant Cen
orai returned be adv. ai me that it was
now unnecessary 90 proceed further Win
the discharges as tho regiment would
be mustered out OF course. this was
very gratifying to me- as ] knew that q
very large majority or the men wanted
20 get home
1T IS stated that the officers claim q
majority OF tho men wanted 70 stay in
tho service and were opposed 20 being
mustered OUT 7 suggested.
AN INCORRECT STATEMENT
THE officers knew little of the senu-
ments OF the men, If they ever made any
such statement" replied Mr.. Host 81
ain advised that In one company seventy
four men signed a petition asking TO be
released and that others would have sign
ed had they had the opportunity IL was
also stated that men We're forbidden IL
martial certainly had no feeling agains,
the officers Of the Second Regiment Many
of them are warm personal friends OF
mine Neither did I blame them for
wanting 90 remain IN the army. They
were getting good salaries and living
comfortably To many OF them cOntinu-
ance In the service meant decided ad-
vantage. not sacrifice with the men it
was different They had enlisted out OF
patriotism and in the enthusiasm which
was stirred. a majority OF them had
others dependent or partly dependent on
their efforts and had left good positions
. a- the call Of their country. IL there had
been occasion for sacrifice they were will
ing 10 sacrifice. but when active hostiii-
ties ceased they naturally desired 70 get
back 70 business and the support OF those
whom it was their duty 20 support. No
sensible man VIII blame them for wanting
90 get home. and no just man can inn
puen their motives.
A DECIDED DIFFERENCE.
There IS good deal OF difference be-
tween $50 per month and sl5.60 per month.
From a pecuniary standpoint there was
Just about ten times as much induce
ment for the officer TO continue In the
service as for the private Some OF the
officers were getting more than they ever
some OF the men were sacrificing four or
FIVE times the amount OF pay they re-
ceived for every month they continued in
the ranks
IL Is not surprising. therefore. that the
question OF mastering out presented dif-
ferent aspects when viewed from differ
ent standpOints. and IL IS unjust 20 as
brave a set Of men as ever shouldered a
musket 70 intimate that un0er the cir
cumstances I'm seeking release from mill
tary duty. they were lacking in patri-
otlsm or Sinking any responsibility
which good citizenship imposes.
Those who desire 10 continue in the
army can have their desire gratiled with
out the slightest difficulty. When the
Second Regiment IS formally mustered
out next month. there will be az Rich
mond an enlistlng officer prepared 10 re-
enlist all who offer and are able 10 stand
the examination.
OPPORTUNITY FOR CARPERS.
This will be the opportunity for those
who are disposed 20 criticise their less
ardent comrades and the door will be
thrown wide open ~ every officer OF the