Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-07-29
STILL BOYCOTTING KANSAS TROOPS.
LiSgraceful Partisan Practices.

We clip the following from the Kansas City
S Al OF the 2Ist inst:
SAN FRANCISCO, July ALTO the intense
disappointment of the officers and men OF the
Twentieth Kansas, the. Seventh California has
been assigned to the transport Scandia, to sail
for Manila next week in place Of the Twentieth
Kansas, designated by General Merriam. The
order came from Washington, direct from Sec
retary Alger, to send the Seventh California,
and was brought about by the efforts OF the
California senators and representatives.
Colonel Funston said to a correspondent OF
the Star: General King has stated that the
Twentieth Kansas is the best-drilled and most
efficient regiment outside Of the regulars. Eth
cheney, equipment and discipline is ignored,
and, in almost every instance, the selection ot
the regiments so far selected to so to Manila
has been brought about by the senators and
representatives in Washington. The Kansas
senators and representatives, II they have at
tempted anything, have accomplished nothing.
do not believe IN using political influence to
secure advantage, and will see the regiment and
myself in hell before will importune the pow"
ers in Washington to have my regiment sent
where, from point Of efficiency, it is entitled to
60 There Is no regiment that has
been in camp that has two better majors than
attained in drill is due to their nntiring efforts.
Major Whitman is graduate of West Point,
aud Major Metcali has no superior among the
volunteer organizations.
-
We clip the iol,owing editorial from the San'
Francisco Call of July 17th, with reference to
Camp Merritt and the Twentieth Kansas:
For time, most Of the papers Of the city,
convinced that Camp Merritt was detrimental
alike to the health of the soldier and civilian,
protested against lis existence, but to no avail.
The struggle was given because it appeared
that some influence, never strictly dehned,
wanted the camp TO remain. There never was,
in the first place, any excuse tor the camp.
From every point of view, it has been, from
the beginning, All affiiction. Now 1t Is posi-
tiyelv unfit for human habitatlon. Out IN the
Preside are huudreds of unoccupied acres ad-
m,ably adapted TO the use of soldiers. Why
are they not utiized2 do not know, but III
the present arrangement there is job Out OF
the Kansas regiment alone, six men have died.
The colonel begged to be allowed to go to the
Piesdio, and the request was refused. Tie
New York men arrived, sIneed the situation
over and demanded to be given place OH the
reservation They got It. The New Workers
have more money than the KanSans. They
came here with pull so strong that the reputa'
ton of II preceded them. But in patriotism
the Kansan is the equal of the New Yorker; to
his country his life is as valuable. The dis
tinction made between them is nothing but an
exhibition OF red tape. Technically, the New
Yorker belongs TO the department OF California,
and the Kansans TO the Philippine expedition
ary forces In reality, they are both soldiers
who have volunteered to serve their country,
and it is not lair that either should be obliged
to take up quarters on the reeking sands OF
Camp Merritt. Their lives are their conntry's,
Iut this gives the country no excuse tor throw
ing it away. Camp Merritt should DC abolish
aed-not when the 'ast feet has sailed Tor the
Islands, but to-day.
------sy.srvssssyessSSsN~y