The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-07
ernor meets a body Of Virginia lesls,1'o''
at the close Of such century as tn,s
THE spANISH-AMERICA WAN

ernor meets a body Of Virginia legislators
at the close Of such a century as tu,s'
THE sPANISH-AMERlCAN WAX.
Since the adjournment Of the last Legs
lature this State has been called upon "s
the President of the United States 10 iu'-
nish volunteers in the recent war oet w"
this country and Spain. On the -oih u"s
of April. 1895 I was notified by tne ..
retary Of War that Nirginia's quota oi INC
first call for l2jGp0 men would be 7V".
Immediately issued a proclamation cI'-
ing for volunteers. In less than ioI,y-
eight hours responses came not oh'y 20.
enough 10 supply the number desired out
moro than five times as many 'dse's
prOffered their services. was r'que9'o"
10 form this force into three regiments
OF twelve companies each / anticipates
trouble and perpicNity in organizing these
three regiments, as there was then exist
ing I'm the State. organizations OF four
white. regiments and two battalions OF
infantry. and the multiplicity OF officers
and the always delicate question OF rank
we're expected TO give trouble. but, thanks
To the generosity of those Interested, thcy
met the situation with proper feeling anN
courtesy and m1do my duties as hshl
in this respect as possible. The next cah
Of 1910 men was promptly furnished tle
government and were used in supplying
men sufficient to recruit the first thirty
six companies up 10 the maximum OF JUN
men. supplemented by turning over 10 The
government two c0lorcd battalohs OF M
fantry. then I'm the Statc service. These
battallons had been organized under our
present state law. and had volunteered
as soon as the first call for men had oeen
made knowing the necessity aye. the
Inn
Virginia Governor to harb0r as tar as
possible the financial resources of ihe
State. I endeav0red by every means IN
my power 10 avoid unnecessary expense
i'm rendcZyOusing these soldiers, ana
while other States had lavishly expended
thousands upon thousands of dollars tPon
their volunteers. ! am glad 90 state that
there were no better troops more prompt
lv offered the Federal Government than
the Virginia soldiers. and yet the entire
expense 10 the State incident 20 au the
work will not amount 20 over S,-D, OF
about twenty-five cents for each soldier
and + hope 90 be able % have even
this small sum returned by the general
government.
I'm addition 10 the invaluable services Of
Adiutaut-Gcucral William Nailc, VINO
worked nicht and day when the stress
knowledcneut of the services of Assistant
u,uect0r-GcnoraL Colonel Jo Lane stern,
and also of Colonies O.. OBJ Cowardin, w.
%. Ske,tou. W b. Tennant and W. NJ.
Coulling local members of my staff VINO
were present almost daily, and aided in
every way possible tO organize and pro-
vide for the comfort of the troops. l want
also TO make acknowledgment to the
many employers of the soldiers VINO re-
served their places for them TO be taken
again as soon as the war was over. l
would also take this opportunity 10 sus-
gest that the legislature make small
appropriation To- furnish each officer VINO
served in thc SpanishAmerican war with
a suitable commission of service that they
may preserve as mement0es IN their ram
lilies. and a suitable badge might Doe pro-
vided for tho non-cOmmissioned oihcers
and men.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. REPORT
In this connection I would call atten-
ton to the fun and elaborate report Of
the Adiutant-General. in which VIII be
found detailed information touching the
subject Of our volunteers. and 1 wish 10
most heartily endorse AN the recommends
tions therein contained a properly resu-
lated militia Is one OF the chief supports
Of a republican system of government
and every State should provide perma-
nently and literally for its volunteers.
Thus may our young men preserve that
martial spirit which makes tyranny inn
possible. and throws about our liberties
and sovereign rights "a strong and ready
safeguard. They stand az al times In
readiness 20 prevent disorder Quell in-
surrecti0n and resist mob violence and it
Is difficult 10 estimate the benefits thus
accruing TO society I'm the knowledge that
they are on hand and az the command
of the officers of the law. And in case
our country is ever so unfortunate as TO
be menaced by foreign foe, the volun-
teers-the trained soldiers of the State mi
litia-is the grs,t reserve force upon
which our country must call. and upon
which Il must depend To this end I
would take this occasion to suggest that 10
would be a wise expenditure on the part
Of our State government to provide means
for the drilling and discipline Of bodies Of
state troops about which as a nucleus
sufficient numbers of men may form
whenever the need and cause may arise
Very meagre, II any, records OF enlistment
Of soldiers OF other wars has been kept
and the Adiutant-Geueral at my special
lrortf,tt.I "a, Esfffn D.r.a