The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-25
THEY HAVE APPEALED
National Guards, Known as
the State Militia
ARE IGNORED BY LEEDY
They Have Taken the Matter
up With the President,

The organized militia of Kansas, that
has drilled for years and maintained
its companies at its own expense and
without salary, and is known as the Ma
tional Guards, feel greatly Inundated at
the treatment they are getting at the
hands of Leedy. Citizens are indignant.
President Mckinley has issued call
for $4,000 volunteers, and IN every state
but Kansas the militia IS being given
the preference in making out the quota
on account OF organization and drill
Governor Leedy has ignored them
here. He is commissioning men TO or
game regiments and says that the Ma
tional Guard may go IN under these Of
fcers and enter the service, but they
wiz have to re-enlist. a number Of
prominent leaders in the state have call
ed on the governor and presented the
matter 10 him, but he refuses to make
any changes in his plans. The guards
men here say that they won't enlist and
90 into the service except as they have
been organized and drilled.
The report that Major Minick and
Captain Downing of the Battery have
been reduced in rank is mistake They
and their companies have simply been
ignored. All over the state now the
guards and prominent citizens have
taken the matter up with President Nc
Kinley, and he may make special call
TO Kansas In favor of the guards. A
member OF the company here said yes
terday:
THE state Of Kansas IS again about to
be Inundated by the action OF the gov
enor in placing his political friends in
the service of the United States as Of
ficers in the regiments that are to be sent
TO the front from this state, and by his
utterly ignoring the services Of the Ma
tional Guard.
Every state in the union has been very
prompt in placing its National Guard in
the field because they wished to place
at the disposal Of the president those of
their citizens that were educated in mill
tary affairs up to the point where they
could be placed alonside the regular army
and cooperate with them al once in
any move that was necessary.
when the mobilization of the volun-
teer forces commence the National Guard
of these states viii march to the trains
as drilled men. having the bearing of
soldiers. and will within thirty minutes
from the time they arrive at the rendez-
vous be under canvas and in one hour
have the camp in fine condition and be
ready for the first call for regimental
drill. They will go through the drill
smoothly, because they have had many
such drills. When dress parade and 9th
er ceremonies come in order they will
be on hand and finish it with compile
ton that can only come from long ex-
perience in the work and years of study
on the part OF the officers.
The sergeants and corporals Of the
companies are old tried men with years
Of experience. and their duties will be
easily performed, and they are men who
know more of the duties Of soldiers than
could possibly be expected from even the
STAFF and field officers of the volunteer
forces of this state os proposed by the
governor.
These organizations are now in the
field in their several states, and the gov
errors of these states know that they
have done their duty by offering TO Tn
Gle Sam that which he was most in need
Of. namely. drilled and efficient soldiers
for immediate use.
Now, Kansas will be somewhat longer
than these states in getting her regi-
ments mustered and with not a man
from the Colonel down to the private
-
tary tactics and discipline, and when at
ter a time these regiments will be sent
10 the point where troops are 10 be mob
ilized. they will not even know how 10
form their regiment 10 march to the
place OF their proposed camp.
well drilled soldiers by the thousands
will be at the train to see the Kansas
troops arrive and the spectacle that viii
be presented to them would possibly be
extremely ludicrous were It not so ser
ious a matter.
at viii then take them months to
even place them on an even footing with
the organizations among whom they are
placed.
THE fault viii be with the governor
in this matter. and not with the volUn-
teers, for they enlist with a patriotic de-
sire 10 serve their country. and viii IN
doubtedly do it 10 the best OF their abil-
fly. and no doubt IL the war lasts lorS
enough Kansas regiments Will come 70
the front as they did in the days OF
sl-65.
THE Second Regiment OF National
Guards are sleeping in their armor.es to-
night. It is composed OF twelve com
panies OF sixty men each. but could be re-
cruited TO full war strength within
twenty minutes Of a cali 10 so to the
front. They are all very anxious to 60
in a body. but in no other manner. This
regiment has been organized over twenty
years. and has men and officers who
have been in almost that length Of time.
One sergeant in this city has served over
fourteen years. and their love for their
old regiment is such that IL Is under
stood not one man viii volunteer unless
the regiment is taken in its entirety.
Many OF the men when told that the
governor would not notice them as an
organization broke completely down. for
after years OF faithful work and drill Il
IS no small matter to see the whole of
an organization OF almost l0oo men
thrown aside 10 satisfy the passing
whirns OF the ever present Office seeker.
''The fact that the sympathy OF the
entire community IS IN hearty accord
with them. and having faith that their
services cannot be disregarGed. they stil
hope TO receive a sail. and are ready n
respond TO a man. and could have the
complete organization OF LOCO men fully
armed and enuinned tocathar for 81