Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-27
GOVERNORS REPLY
10 the Call for Men from the
Secretary of War.
He Urges That the Sea Coast Be
Better Protected.
me special Session Of the Legislature Not
Likely TO Come at Present.

mat ne still saw no necessity for IN,
assembling of the Legislature, and
should not do so unless public senti-
ment was more strongly in favor of il
ana the press called for it,
one of the great reasons WHY the
special session is wanted bv some .
said he, is to provide for the families
mat are to be left at home. OF course
1t wouldn't do to have them left nenni-
less, as many, no doubt, would be. for
although no one would see them want.
it would be cruel Every man who en-
lists in the regular service to go TO the
front will receive two months pav in
advance, and that will keep the wolf
IRON the door for time at least"
Although there are many reasons
Why the session should be called. the
Governor thinks he can get all the
money that is needed in the presen.
crisis, without the session and he runs
the risk that at the next session the
amount expended will be made good
IN THIS manner, he hopes to make us
of the $4,000 that would be expended
in calling together the Legislature, in
other ways
Yet the demand for the session is
growing steadily, and will soon be very
strong. The demand seems to be for
some emergency laws that will better
protect the sea coast. but this may he
arranged in some way. by the secretary
of war, who has been addressed by the
Governor in a letter that follows.
Upon his arrival, Tuesday afternoon.
the Governor sent the following mes
sage and letter To the secretary Of war
STATE OF MAINE
Adjutant Generals Office,
Augusta. April 26 1898.
The Secretary of War, Washington, D.
Maine National Guard ready for in
slant service: consists of two infantry
regiments of three battalion organiza-
ton. - officers and men per company.
every company full. this being the larg-
est number allowed by law. Also we
have an ambulance corps and a signal
corps. All these troops have been care
fully examined and passed by sur
geons. Infantry armed in part with
latest model Springfield rifles. the bal
ance with old model, have 60 rounds of
ammunition to man. They are fully
supplied with tents, blankets. haver-
sacks. Buz2acott ovens and outfits. and
all other equippage needed for field ser
vice. We have no heavy guns, nor am
muntion for them. Are ready to con-
centrate these regiments Immediately
at Augusta.
LLEWELLYN POWERS.
Governor of Maine.
Augusta. April 2G. 1898.
To Secretary Of War. Washington
-. G.:
Dear Sir-I have this day telegraphed
you what | believe to be the exact con-
dition of the National Guard of Maine
We need more and better arms very
much, in fact. we should have about
100 more rifles. to have enough to go
around
While I am confident the Guard Of
Maine will cheerfully 90 wherever the
President may deem it advisable to
send them, and | also think that many
of them are anxious to go out of the
state, Yet | desire to call your atten-
ton to the fact that Maine has a long
sea coast. with many prosperous towns
not very adequately defended. and that
vi rI
these sea coast towns. and would sug-
gest the ACCESSIBILITY, unless there is
some urgent reason for not so doing of
employing this Guard in the defence OF
these sea coast towns. The people in
habiting these towns are indeed very
fearful of an attack. and are constantly
importuning me to impress upon the
war and navy departments, the neces-
sity of providing for them more ade
quate means of defence.
| have no doubt that the various
companies of our Guard, after they are
mustered into the United States SER
vice, can be speedily recruited up to
100 men in a company. Since the pros
peCt of war with Spain. ! have had
them recruited to the maximum num-
Der allowed by the State. | hope it will
not be found necessary to change the
organizations, and that the battery of
heavy artillery will be recruited from
the other. one battalion consisting of
some $50 men of one of the regiments,
was formerly designed for heavy arti
lery.
Very truly yours.
LLEWELLYN POWERS,