The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-02
DEATH WARRANT OF VOLUNTEERS,
Military So Regard Proposed Cut in
Their Appropriations.


Col. A. r. Lawton Of the First Georgia,
and Col. Oscar J. Brown of the Second,
viii appear before the military committee
Of the legislature soon to represent the
military Of the state in an effort to pre-
vent the proposed cut in the military ap-
preparation. This cut contemplates reduc-
ing the appropriation from $4,000 TO 81, 500
Military men generally believe this would
be the death warrant of the Georgia vol
unteeers, as it would indicate that the
state does not appreciate their services
and that it is believed there is no need
for their continued eXistense.
Col Lawton Is strongly opposed TO the
reduction. He is confident that it would
be a great blow to the military of the
state. dealt just at a time when there is
need of every encouragement TO insure
the continuance of some of the organlza-
tons. OF his own command, Col. Lawton
has no doubt. He is sure beyond a shadow
of a question that ats organization viii be
maintained and he would like to see the
military of the state kept up.
Col. Brown was in the city several days
ago. He and Col Lawton discussed the
question Of the proposed reduction OF the
military appropriation, and they discov-
cred that they were both strongly opposed
to it. Col. Brown agreed to keep track
of the progress of events in Atlanta ana
TO notify Col. Lawton when he is needed.
It is the intention of the gentlemen TO Sc
cure a hearing before the committee, II
possible. They want to refute the charge
that has been made of the failure Of the
Georgia troops to respond 10 the call Tor
volunteers and of their having been a ran
ure in the service.
Judging, he says, from general reports
he has received from the best sources,
Col. LaWton is assured that both the tlfst
and Second Regiments were among the
best volunteer organizations in the ser
vice. He says The officers, most OF the
non-commissioned officers and many OF the
men of the commands, volunteered from
the organized military OF the state ana
that it was through their knowledge OF
drill and the duties of a soldier that 1t
was possible for remaining members OF
The regiments 10 be moulded into the lne
soldiers they became. The reputation they
enjoyed, Col Lawton thinks, should De
taken as proof sufficient that the Georgia
troops were not a failure.
Nearly al of the military appropriation
has been expended yearly to detray the e&-
penses of the encampments at GRIMM II
IS now proposed to appropriate no more
than enough to pay the expenses OF the
office of the adjutant general in Atlanta
The encampments have always been re-
garded by military men as being the best
feature Of the states patronage and one
from which great benefit has been de-
rived. 1t was the men who had been at
tending the state encampment, the expert
ence of the Georgia troops during the war
showed, who were best fitted for the dr-
ties of a soldier. They knew all about
what they were expected to do and We're
found of great use in the training of the
green recruits.
Military men admit that there may be
very strong necessity for retrenching in
the states expenditure, but they think the
state troops should be entitled to recogni-
lion wnen the appropriations are made.
They cannot understand how the death
blow could thus be given the military Of
Georgia when it IS conceded that it is
necessary TO have organized troops as a
safeguard