The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-19
ALL OFFICERS MAY RESIGN.
COMPLETE REORGANIZATION OF
MILITARY Is LOOKED FOR.

when the Troops Come Marching
Home One of the First Results Will
He a New Formation of the state
Forces-Such Is the General I'm
preston in Military Circles Here.
Federal Government Expected to
Reconstruct the Old State Forces
Under n Better system.
In military circles there is considerable
talk of the reorganization Of the local
forces that is to come in all probability
along with the general reorganization of
the state troops as a whole.
REGARDLESS of what the national or state
governments may do 1t is regarded as a
foregone conclusion that there will be
considerable change in the personnel of
the officers of the Savannah companies
when the troops now in the field return
home. The men who were unable from
business or other good causes to enlist for
the war have no desire to hold on TO the
positions of honor, or to in any way other
wise interfere with the feeling that is like
" to exist for a reorganization little
later on.
In the Chatham Artillery, it is stated on
good authority, Lteuts. w. G. Cam, J.
A. G. Carson and II. S. Dreese viii resign
voluntarily as soon as the members Of the
company now in camp are mustered out
of the governments service and return 10
Savannah
1t is their desire that the company be
reorganized all the men being given
chance to put their wishes and feelings
into practical expression. 1t must not be
understood, though, that the men who are
with the battery, which is popularity tel m
ed the Chathams, but who were not mem
bers of the Chatham Artillery before they
enlisted for the war, will be such when
they return to Savannah. Only the regu-
larIy enlisted men who went out Of she
company will be members of it upon their
return to Savannah. If the others desire
to connect themselves with it, they will
have TO apply, pass an election and enlist
under the state laws and company regula-
lions.
The same applies to the men who
are with the Guards or the companies from
Savannah in the First Regiment. They
are not by virtue of their enlistment I'M
der the Presidents call members of the
Guards battalion or of the First Regi-
ment companies after they are mustered
out. Military matters then return to their
normal state of the ante-beilum period
There is reason 10 believe, though, that
many of the men who enlisted with these
companies in the United States govern
ment service will be DESTROYS of conunu-
ing with them in a time of peace as part
of the state troops.
Scores of such applications will un-
doubtedly have to be passed. on soon after
the troops return home, and when all this
material is in and the companies shaped
up il is the belief that the reorganization
all around win come. OF course, the Off
GERS who enlisted and went off to camp,
or some of the men who volunteered for
the war will stand good chances of be-
Ing made officers for the time of peace.
sThe officers who are now In charge of the
companies here, or many of them, a
least feel that this Is no more than right,
and it would not be surprising If there was
a general resignation of all the present
home officers.
The feeling Is strong in all the companies
here that the national government, realtz-
ing the inherent weaknesses of the present
system of state troops, win turn its at
tention TO the organization of a national
reserve or guard subject to the orders of
the President at any time, enlisted for
three or five years, and with all their sup
plies furnished.
1t is not believed that there will be any
further assistance given TO the state troops
as they now exist. Some companAl would
keep together as a home or stale guard,
without regard to whatever the Federal
government might do, but the present
system, as a whole, Is regarded as a back
number and certain TO be wiped out In
Savannah. the military companies have
been so accustomed to footing their own
expenses, and the pride in their Organiza-
lions is so intense that il is probable they
would be maintained intact regardless of
any course the government might see fit
to adopt.