The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-03
CoIored
Total vote in ,nner section

Iotdl vote In upper section. 6719
Excess Of upper over lower section, 1O3
votes.
1t would be impossible to divide the State
more nearly equal, keeping the districts
contiguous. If another battalion is granted
the State the Governor will have one formed
In the section containing the five lower dis
tricts and the other battalion formed in the
upper districts of the State. He hopes that
his efforts in this direction will be success
full, as he has information that many more
colored men want to go than can be placed
in one battalion. Evansville alone wants to
furnish the entire first battalion, and In
dianapolis is equally ambitious. If the War
Department does not authorize the Gov
ernor to organize two battalions he will
form the first by taking two companies
from the lower section of five districts and
two companies from the upper section. AS
the First district contains almost half of
the voting population of the lower section,
one company will be taken from it, leaving
the Second. Third, Fourth and Fifth dis
fricts to furnish the second company. This
disposed of, the other two companies will
be apportioned among the northern districts,
one to the Seventh district, containing over
halr or the vote Of the northern section, and
one company to the remaining seven dis
tricts.
In a conversation yesterday the Governor
remarked to % Journal reporter that Marion
ofrered to furnish an entire company when
battalion, but as the idea was rejected
py the colored companies here that elected
70 De mustered out of the National Guard
the offer or the Marion company could not
be accepted at that time. 1t is the Gov
ernors Idea that half or at least part Of
one OF the two companies designated from
the northern section should come from
from RichmOn6
Ii q competent man can be found the Gov
ernor would favor the idea of having one
lieutenant Tor the company from each Of
those cities. In this way each portion of the
State that has a heavy colored vote will be
Ialrly represented in the battalion. If two
battalionS are permitted the plan outlined
Will be modified somewhat, and perhaps in
such q way that two companies could be
taken from Evansville and the First dis
trict, two from the other four southern dis
tricIs, two companies from Indianapolis one
from Marion, perhaps, and the eighth COM
pany from the other northern districts.
Capt. Jacob M. Porter, whom Governor
Mount offered to commission as major of a
battalion some time ago, is booked for that
position now. A committee of eight has
been representing the colored men in the
negotiations that have gone forward. Three
OF the committee, Willis Kersey, J. SIott
and G. l.. Jones, called on Governor Mount
yesterday to confer with him relative to
forming the battalion. He informed them,
as stated above, that until he knows
are to be successful definite plans could not
be announced. During the committees call
there was talk about the place of major
and the committee informed him that Capt
Porter would be acceptable. The Governor
inquired If he would accept the place and
was informed affirmatively. Captain Por-
ter has been in the National Guard for a
long time. For eight years he was captain
of Company A. He is messenger in the
Indiana National Bank a position he has
held long time. To q Journal reporter
Captain Porter said that he had not yet
conferred with Governor Mount but under
stood that he was being considered for the
to further the Governors plans in any way
possible. He said that until he had con-
ferred with the Governor and learned his
views he would not undertake to say how
the battalion should be made up There
Will be a drill of Captain Porter's company
at 122 West New York street tonight.
There are two other colored companies,
one under the command of Captain Thomas
and the other under Captain Best. These
with the company of Captain Porter con-
tain many men that were formerly in the
National Guard. None of the companies is
fully recruited If Indianapolis is to furnish
but one company it will most likely be made
up of men from all three, the best and most
soldierly and most experienced being taken.
Colored men about the city yesterday
were expressing satisfaction at the success
of the Governors efforts in their behalf
successful in getting another battalion
If this is accomplished 1T is the Governor
idea to have the two Indiana battalions
combined with one in Ohio that has already
been formed the three together going into
a cOlOred regiment.