The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-12
THE MILITIA TROUBLED
RIVALRY TO GO TO THE FRONT
FIRST BECOMES SERIOUS.
Secretary of War AIger's Letter-GoV-
crnOr Declines to Discuss the
Presidents Message.


troops from the government at Washing
ton 1T is more than probable that the Indi-
ana National Guard will become democrat
lied. This will come about from the strong
rivalry existing among the several regi-
nlents and companies. Those which may be
chosen to go at first call will be we'll enough
satisfied, for there is hardly miitiaman in
the State who is not the qui viye for
the call and who does not stand ready
and anxious to receive tho word to go. But
those who are left behind will be the most
dissatisfied men in the State. and from in
formation received indirectly about war
headquarters ut the Statehouse, it appears
that they may openly protest against the
slight.
The impression seems to have gone out
throughout the State that the Second Regi-
ment will be allowed to furnish most of
the companies. IT is short two companies
of full quota and the chance to become
one OF these two companies is the idea
some of the other companies have of their
opportunity to get to go to the front.
The restless feeling has reached the Office
of Adjutant General Gore. He was asked
yesterday what he thought would be the
effect of it. IT cannot tell" he said, ''but
l fear it will be bad There may be a way
to avert the trouble which might come in
the Indiana National Guard. The colonies
of the four regiments might be brought to-
gether and allowed to draw lots and thus
let the selections come by chance This
would probably relieve the strain and pre-
vent q feeling that anybody had been
sighted
A plan proposed, as it takes twelve COM
panies to make a complete regiment, is that
three companies be drawn from each of
the four regiments. In the First, Second
and Third regiments there are three bat
talions each, and this would give each bat
talon the right to furnish one company.
The selection of this company could be left
to be decided by lot by the companies form
ing the battalion. The Fourth Regiment has
but two battalions and could either be al
lowed to draw lots for the third company or
the remaining might be taken from one of
the unattached colored companies or it
might be that new company, several of
which are forming, would be mustered in.
Some such plan as this will probably be
adopted, 1t Is believed. 1t is the feeling
among the high officers of the Indiana
Guard that it must be done to preserve the
Guard intact. 1t is limited that under any
other method of selection the disappointed
companies would go to pieces. In fact,
members of some of the outside companies
have openly threatened that this would be
the result.
THE LETTER FROM ALGER.
There will pc no such method employed
however, in the selection of the artillery
company which is to go. That privilege has
already been conferred upon Battery A,
of this city, and its right to it is not ques-
toned Its long years of service and the
record it has made in competition with the
crack batteries of the hoc
won for it the right to the distinction. The
Journal yesterday referred to the important
orders which it was reported the artillery
had received. Governor Mount yesterday
received official notice that the Indianapolis
Light Artillery would be wanted in the fol-
lowing letter from r. A. Alger, secretary of
war:
My Dear Governor-I have your note
with reference to the breech-loading pieces
tlonal Guard. / told some of our friends
here yesterday that, in case of hostilities
and sdnd battery, from Indiana being called
Tor, you would be requested to detail Bat
terry "A, stationed at Indianapolis, and that
the government would furnish them with
the most modern field pieces and authorize
them to purchase horses and equipment for
the field. The truth is that in all probable
lily, should war be upon us, all of the mod
ern preech-loading gu.Is now in possession
of colleges will be called in, and we shall
not be able to distribute any of those guns
for service and for COAST M d e pc required
war, If we have war. we can readjust the
distribution of them"
Governor Mount spent considerable time
yesterday consulting with Adjutant General
Gore, Quartermaster Richardson and Brig
Gen. Mckee regarding the selection and
equipment of the regiment which Indiana
is called upon to furnish in case of HOSTILE
ties. 1t was agreed that nothing could be
done further 70
ready at the word and supplied with such
equipment as is flow on hand. There was
some talk that the government might wish
to furnish new equipment and new uniforms
in order that all the 10000 men called might
be equipped and dressed alike. But in the
absence of anything definite on this line it
was agreed that work should continue on
the present lines. The formation of the reg
iment will be decided upon Immediately
after Congress shall take any action which
will have the effect of precipitating hostili-
ties. The regiment will be ordered to this
city and will await the order to move to
the front.
WILL NOT DISCUSS MESSAGE.
The Presidents message reached the
Statehouse late in the afternoon and was
eagerly read by the Governor and others
connected with the Indiana National Guard,
Governor Mount was handed a copy of it
by representative of the Journal, and he
agreed to read 1t and give an interview on
it later He Also received kilograms from
Chicago and Cincinnati papers asking his
opinion on ne message. At O'Clock he
announced that he would say nothing about
the message. He declined positively to dis
cuss it. Some of those at the Statehouse
think this is evidence that the message was
not pleasing TO him.
w. T. Durbin, who has returned to his
home in Anderson from Washington, says
Secretary Alger told him the first call for
men would consist of two regiments from
New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois
and one regiment from all other States, the
battery demand being the same. This will
mean about 10000 men, Mr.. Durbin says
Washington is very quiet notwithstanding
the scenes being enacted. He says there is
no getting around war
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