Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-06-17
More then One-hundred
and fire Names En-
rolled in this city
to Join a CON-
pa1Y of Tol-
7uteerS.
They Met Last Tuesday Night
and Elected Officers for
the Company.

The colored company which has been
organizing in this city was completed
last Tuesday night by electiug officers
for the company, they received author
ity to proceed from Congressman Hull
The meeting was largely attended
from members of the company from
Youngstown, Carbonate and Malquis-
Vile. the meeting was called to order
by the President Mr. Z. L. Banks after
the enrolment of the names, J. L.
Thompson the Secretary read the COM
munication from Congressman Hull al
so letter from Mr. T. Z. Barton re-
garding the organization of the COM
pany, the letter from Hull as follows;
Washington D. c., June II, 1851
L. Thompson Care Iowa State Bystan-
der, Des Moines, Iowa.-My Dear Sir;
l am in receipt of your favor of the 9th
instant do not know whether the
war depar tment will be overruled by the
president of the United States as to
differing the colored companies, but
do know that no power short of the
president of the United States can
change che decision in regard to this
matter. was at the war department
again this morning to have the Des
Moines company permitted to sele ct
all office from captain down colored
I have no doubt of the competency OF
the men there to handle company
and have no doubt if they are given an
opportunity they will show distinguish
ed ability.
This company is not apportioned to
Iowa as state and the men enlisting
are not credit to Iowa on any calls al
ready made, nor will it be credit to the
state on any calls of the future. 1t
comes under an entirely different act
from that of the so-called volunteer
act and under special provision which
allows the president to organize ten
thousand men recruited from the ma
ton at large for a special purpose or
possessing special exemptions from di-
sease incident to tropical climates.
The troops organized in Ohio and Mass
achusetts were commissioned by the
governors of those states. If Iowa had
accepted a company or battalion of
colored men in filling her quota the
governor of Iowa would have commits
stoned the officers ana the federal
government would have had nothing
to do except to accept them. In con-
versation with Representative White,
who is the only colored representative
in this congress, he informs me that
he is trying to get from the president
an order that officers of colored regi-
ments shall be colored men. If this
modification can be secured the Des
company will undoubtedly have the
same privileges accorded co the other
companies. At this otime however,
every one of the companies formed
under the act above referred to and
under which the Des Moines company
will be accepted if at all, will be on
the same basis of our boys.
am surprised that some of our in
telligent colored men of Des Moines
think that am in any way response
BILE for orders and regulation of the
war department. have to do only
with the legislation, The details of
earring it out are administrative and
the administrative officers of the gov
eminent are the only ones having pow
er in the matter. AS wrote Captain
Banks day or two ago l can advise
but my advise is of no more absolute
force than that of any other man in
the United States.
sincerely hope however, that the
matter can be adjusted to your entire
satisfaction. II the boys so desire, let
them elect their full complement of
officers snd certify them up and I will