The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-06-08
PREFERS The MILITIA
Governor Voorhees, Wants
Them Given the First
Chance to Go to the
Front.
MANY VOLUNTEERS COMING FORWARD
Officers of Regiments Visit
Trenton and Offer the
Services of Their
Commands.

Especial to 'aThe Jersey City News.
TRENTON. June s, 1s9s-Governor
Voorhees, remained at his desk until late
last night awaiting mails from Washing
ton. which he expected would contain or
6ers from the Government in regard 10
the States quota under the second eau
for troops. Nothing of the kind came.
The Governor today will go to Sea Grit
and there await the expected orders.
AS already published, the States quota
will consist of a regiment 70 go 70 the
front in a body. and 800 men TO fill up the
companies already in the field and to form
a hospital corps.
Governor Voorhees, said last night, in
regard to the regiment to be formed and
known as the Fourth New Jersey volun-
teers, that the authorities prefer the en-
listment of men from the State militia.
.sThey should have every preference
said the Governor, "for these men have
been spending their time and money for
years in the service of the State, and ii
there is any honor to be derived from the
war it should go to them. I am in favor
of the regiment being composed of the
present militia, also. for the prestige such
a fact will give our National Guard after
the war is over in inducing citizens to
OlAl lAG S0a1o ~ AAAt-AA N-0
degree of efficiency. The milstiamen.a ARE
all anxious to go, and there seems 20 be
no reason why they should be refusea."
sAnother reason for taking the guards
saen." added the Governor, sis that these
men are already drilled and partially
equipped. They can be sent to the FROM
in a very short time, and with less delay
than in breaking in raw men,"
AT present in the State there is left OF
the States guard only one regiment in
tact, the Fourth. of Jersey City; five COM
panies of the Sixth regiment, of Camden,
and seven companies of the Seventh regi-
ment, including three companies in this
city. Governor Voorhees, said that no
more than a volunteer regiment could be
obtained from these three regiments. He
estimated that about ten per cent. OF the
men would fail to pass the examinations
and that another ten per cent were men
who by all means should remain at home
as the support of families or relatives.
Such figures make the strength OF the
home regiments as follows: Fourth, sS0;
Sixth, 200: Seventh, 800.
The militiamen will lave 10 enlist in
dividually. and if an entire COMPANY en-
lists the authorities are not likely to
guarantee the men their officers, but t
will be the desire to do it.
The authorities are decided on the point
that in enlisting the 800 men to fill up
ranks now in the field, recruits will be
selected. as far as possible. from the
homes of the companies to which the men
viii be assigned in details of p.
The Governor was asked If he had any
fear that the enlistments would SO deplete
the National Guard that there would rot
be an adequate force left to guard the
State in case of riots. He replied that
this matter had been considered. and 1t
was decided that thine Calling Gun COM
panies were sufficient for any trouble
likely to arise. but he was satisfied that
they would not be needed in the future
any more than they had been in the past.
The Governor added that no attempt
would be made to recruit men for the Ma
tional Guard. The men now to the front
were only away on leave, ard it would
make the Guard too large to take in men
now who would retain their membership
after the member now away returned.
Colonel w. Il. Cooper of the Sixth Regi-
ment, called on the Governor yesterday,
with several officers of his regiment, to
offer their organizations service. ale
officers present were Lieutenants George
r o. w tSl, dCOl6C i 0(Jl6t 1[LoN-s
William Bernard and Jacob Buist. The
Governor told them that he could not
give them any positive assurance until
detail orders were received from Wash-
ington.
Senator johnson and Sheriff Baird of
Camden, called on the Governor to intro
duce Colonel T. Moore of Merchantville
and Lieutenant Colonel Adam Clark
Smith of Camden, who offered the Cover
nor a regiment of men outside of the Ma
tional Guard, who had been recruited by
them in South Jersey counties. They
were also told that no action could be
taken ON their offer until the orders were
received from Washington. A company
of this regiment is located in this city,
having been recruited by Arthur Heron,
a former member of Company A.
Governor Voorhees, came TO Trenton
with the intention of finally ~disposing Of
the eighty-nine bills passed at the last
session of the Legislature that still await
executive action. Forty-five of the to-
tai had originated in the Senate and for
ty-four in the House. The Governor had
carefully examined all of them. and com
eluded that many of them should fEd
their way to the State Library, commonly
referred to as the Executive crypt for
passed bills" He was so ~overwhelmed
with visitors all day that he not find time
to consider them, but which he will do in
\ few days.
The Governor said there was no neces-
sity for IN extra session of the Legisla-
lure, and as none would likely arise, no
Extra session would be called.
One of the bills in the Governors pos
session, known as the GledhiIl School bill,
authorizes cities to issue long term bonds
% an amount not exceeding 50 per capita
for the erection and repairs of public
school buildings. In view Of the decision
Of Justices Collins and Dixon, declaring
he Trenton High School Bond act uncon-
stitutional, on the ground that It is special,
because it applies to only a class of cities,
The Governor was urged to hold the bill.
BY holding it the measure could be
made a law in case the Court of Errors
fails to reverse the decision of the Su-
preme Court.
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