The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-07

If the gallant Thirteenth Minnesota
is mustered out In the near future 1t
will not be at the behest Of the men,
bers of the auxiliary association, for at
the spirited yet pathetic meeting held
last might at the Commercial club it
was voted not to take any steps look
Ing to such action at this time. G. d.
O'Brien presided over the meeting and
to bring the matter before the meeting,
suggested early the presentation of the
resolution which he had heard was to
be submitted, providing that nothing
be done now looking to the sending
home of the Minnesota boys from Ma
Mia. Finally after several reports had
been read and other business trans
acted, the resolution came, bringing
tmpassioned speeches from the men
and tears from the women present
Opinion was divided. 1t had to be-
Fathers and mothers wanted their sons
home; wives longed for their husbands.
There was no division on that, but
might not request for mastering out
lessen the brilliancy of the boys recent
achievement under fire of the enemy?
There were those who thought 1t mighL,
while others did not, and there was the
rub.
Maj. Espy, whose son is in the regi-
ment, believed, though he wished for
a speedy Homecoming, there was duty
dDiO1Q LUZ Tile anu
would urge that they be allowed to NOT
only defend the flag In battle, but as
we'll to maintain the honor and dignity
Of the country they were serving. Mr..
O'Brien cried a truce to sentiment, ana
declared that while willing to accept
the decision Of the majority, he was
opposed to keeping the very flower Of
Minnesota's pet first regiment, to do
garrison duty under a tropical sun at
a cost to their health, intelligence and
morals,
The boys had seen many dangers on
their way to Manila. and had done
what was expected of them in actual
conflict. It was Gods mercy the loss
was SO small. Now the war was over.
Not only constitutionally was this true,
but because the Spaniards could neith-
err raise their flag nor ship a soldiel
to the Philippines. Volunteers were en-
titled to being mustered out when the
fighting was over. Regulars were hired
for army work and could be sent to
take the places Of young men whose
educations were yet incomplete.
DIR. Ritchie took an Opposite view,
holding that the war was not yet over,
that the volunteers were not to be held
for two years, but only until congress
could take action relieving them Of
further duty and that, If any change
were made now, it must be the slTbsti-
tuition OF some other volunteer orga-
nization-itself a big undertaking.
Mrs. Moore said with much feeling
that, If every hair in he rhead should
turn gray, she would oppose any step
which would dim the luster of the
glorious record made by the regiment.
Included in the roster Is the name of
her son. Gen. G. S. Bunker was of
the opinion that the members of the
regiment had contracted with the gov
eminent to serve for two years unless
sooner discharged, and that in this
case the men should remember their
obligation. 1t was not matter of sem
timent, but a grave responsibility,
which thus far the Minnesota boys at
Manila had met with ful credit.
Mr.. Kenny, whose son is with the
regiment, sided with Mr.. O'Brlen, but
held that the best plan was to petition
the president to muster out the regi-
ment as soon a. consistent. The reg
iment, he believed, had fulfilled the es-
sence Of their contract with their gov
eminent.
The wives Of Lieut. Col Ames and
Capt. Harry Lackore spoke briefly,
saying that as much as they wished
for the return of their husbands, they
favored the resolution not to act at this
time for a mastering out.
An elderly woman brought tears to
the eyes Of many Of the members by
saying in a voice almost choked by her
telling that her two SONS were with
the regiment and her heart was nearly
broken now by the suspense, but that.
when they came home, she wished it
to be with all honor and glory and
dignity to themselves and to her.
The resolution which provides that
no action shall be taken at this time
was adopted. After Treasurer Moore
had explained that the messages sent
hoH hay 4cH ba
on hand, and that more money must
be forthcoming if the plans for fort
nightly telegram were to be carried out
Chairman Cochran, Of the executive
committee, read quite lengthy report
covering the doings of the committee.
The report dealt with the arrival OF
the regiment at the Philippines and
subsequent participation in battle. It
set forth the great difficulty experience
cd In securing any definite Geographic
information concerning the dead and
wounded and sick, ard told how the
good offices of President Mckinley,
Senator Davis and Gov. Clough were
sought, finally, with the result that
information fairly accurate was obtain-
ed 1t was suggested that the most
satisfactory manner in which to secure
news from the regiment in the future
was by official channels; that is,
through Gov. Clough, who will urge
Reeve have sent to the war department
at fixed intervals the health status of
his command madeSUp by his regimen
tai surgeon.
The executive committee was enlarg-
ea by vote from five to nine members.
The following list Of names was read
comprising the men who died in battle
or from disease: Buckland, Patterson,
Burpson, Morley. Watson, Paden,
Pratt, Dixon, Wood, Schwartz and
Ray, and appropriate memorial minutes
will be prepared and submitted to the
association at a later meeting.
Coming back to the matter Of tie
graphing, Mr.. Cochran said he believed
Gov. Clough should not only send and
receive the messages, but should pay
for them. This view appeared to meet
the approval OF the members.
The recently organized Manila club,
consisting Of the wives Of officbers Of
the Thirteenth, was represented last
night by the wives of Captains c. E.
Metz, c. Treat Spear, N. G. Robinson
and M. L. Merrill; Lieutenants w. II.
Tenvoorde and Rudd, OF st. Paul, and
of Captains w. Arthur Carleton, Frank
Corriston, Harry Lackore and Lieut..
Col. Fred Ames, of Minneapolis Mrs.
McKelvey, vice president of the as
ISOLATION, from st. Cloud, was in evil
dence and made a short talk to the
members.
No letters have been received from
the members OF the Thirteenth since
the regiment landed at Manila, but It
was announced last night that letters
were expected during the present week,
The association will meet again in
y A.