Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-07-14
No Kansans to the Front.

The Populist papers are endeavor-
ing to excuse Gov. Leedy for the sit
uation in which Kansas finds its
troops in the war. Although the war
is nearing its end, apparently, not a
single Kansas soldier has gone farther
than a drill ground. 1t will be re-
membered that last April the enlist
ing officers Of the State Dragged some
what that the Kansas troops were
among the first sworn in. 1t was
true only in relation to the troops Of
volunteers-the states that took their
militia, as the president recommend
ed, were far ahead OF Kansas. But 1t
leaves Mr.. Leedy's apclogizers in a
remarkable position now for events
have amply justified every criticism
made on the Populist way doing
things.
The 20th Kansas was among the
very first to arrive in San Francisco.
1t was there long before the Iowa reg.
iment, but two days after the Iowa
regiment arrived, it was assigned to
the first expedition to the Philippines,
Then the goth Kansas was re- brigaded
and had to sit on the fence and watch
the Idaho regiment 90 to the Philip
pines, although the Idaho regiment
arrived long after the Kansas regi-
ment and had been in camp but four
days.
Then Kansas was re-brigaded again
and set back the second time. Now
the third expedition has gone to the
Philippines and Kansas has twice
more been brigaded and will not 20
even on the fourth expedition, July 10.
The latest news is that Kansas will
possibly get in on the fifth expedition
which is to leave July 20, being
brigaded with New York regiment
which has not yet reached San Fran
cisco. just think OF that record!
The 2lst Kansas at Chickamauga
was first brigaded with the 9Th Massa-
chusetts and the list New York. An
order was received for the 9Th Massa-
chusetts and the list New York to 20
to Tampa, and they went. The 2lst
Kansas was again brigaded with the
End Massachusetts, and then the End
Massachusetts, was ordered to Tampa,
and the Dist Kansas was left behind.
At Camp Alger, Falls Church, Va,
the 22nd Kansas was brigaded with
the 9th Massachusetts, and the Oath
Michigan. The first order was for
the 9th Massachusetts and the oath
Michigan to move to the front. Then
the 22nd Kansas was brigaded with
the 9th Massachusetts,. Finally the
9Th Massachusetts has received orders
taking them to the front, and the
22nd Kansas remains behind.
"The government has appropriated
$S,400 a year for the Kansas National
Guard for thirteen years, making a 8
total Of $l07, $780," said Colonel j. W. ,
F. Hughes, in a Topeka interview. I
1.-THE State Of Kansas has appropriated 0
$4,000 approximately since 1878, !
or total Of 100000, making a total
Of $SO7,l2 expended for the Kansas
National Guard since 1878, and yet =
when the call for volunteers came the :
National Guard was totally ignored.
What good did the appropriation doP =
1.-The whole trouble about the Kan i,
sas regiments not going to the front i,
results from the fact that their officers b
are incompetent. The regular army h
officers have complimented many Of a
the militia regiments Of other States, q
saying they were as well equipped q
and differed as the regulars. When !,
The Kansas regiments were sent to the n
1iiierent government camps they had r
no equipment whatever. | cannot y
see what has become Of the money n
appropriated for the Kansas guard. =,
they should have had some equip q,
ment left. am certain that II the =,
Kansas National Guard officers had b
been appointed that the Kansas regi- a,
nents would have gone to the front n
rs soon as any, but they must wait $,
lpw until their officers learn their ri
business" al
MI a 4 r