The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-14
VOLUNTEER GUARD, RANGERS
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL Asks FOR
NJ NEY TO ORGANIZE FORCES.
To Cut on the stnte Police Would
Work Grent Hardship aad Injus-
ticc to Border Counties.

on the desks of members setting forth the
needs OF the Texas Volunteer Guard and the
Ranger force In part 1t 10 as follows:
Aojutant Generals Office, Austin, February
10 II have the honor to call your attention TO
the deplorable condition of the Texas Volun-
tser Guard. Practically all OF the militia or
ganlzations of tho State enlisted in the United
States volunteer army in the war with Spain.
and at the limo OF their enlistment practically
al of the army uniforms and equipments Of
every character then IN the hands OF the state
or It's military organizations were turned over
TO the United states volunteers. and nothing
has been returned TO the stav', either IN Vaius
III the ordinary course OF events II is natu-
raj to presume that difficulties Will arise in
some sections OF tho State demanding tho
presence OF an armed force for the purpose VI
resisting any unlawful acts OF a magnituae
too great TO DO handled by the local civil
authorities.
II demand of such character should be
made at this time 1t would not be possible Tor
this department to comply with any degree
OF confidence in the ability Of any organiza-
tioh, II called upon, 10 respond, for the reason
F; that. with tho exception of the artillery com
uanies and the colored infantry companies, the
whole OF the Texas Volunteer Guard s with
out arms aud equipments of any KIND. ke-
potts indicate that some OF the guns OF tho
artillery companies are III such bad condition
thai they can not be depended upon for ef-
tectual use.
The almost unanimous opposition IN tho
democratic party, State and National, to a
large sianding army and to Feder2l interior
enco IN State affairs leads to the natural M
terence that the party IS committed u the
only alternative, wei organized militia:
The Texas Volunteer Guard has never failed
to respond promptly on every occasion that Its
services have been needed within the state,
ant practically the entire force responded In
stlItl, and enthusiastically to the president q
hrs, call tor troops at the outbreak OF the
late war with Spain. That patriotic action
has completely disorganized aud DISRUPTED tho
state organisation. The Texas Volunteer
Guard should be rsorgan,sed at once and re-
crlted UP TO the maximum OF $500 men pro-
riied by law. No better time could be select
cd than the present, for the whole country Is
p'rnieated with military enthusiasm. and as
tue VOLUNTEER regtmenis are mustered out OF
/ the United States service the men should, u
service. and our State organizations will at
once be composed OF experienced soldiers
whose previous service Will be guaranty OF
Its effectiveness.
This reorganization can not, however be
effected without provisions for proper e1uit :
ment. Young men who have been patriotical-
ly serving their country for SID month for
nearly year ceti not b. expected to have any
surplus money with which to purchase uni
FORMS or equipments of any kind.
TIN account or the recent service OF the
tire ops. q camp OF instruction viii not be nec-
essdry the present year but hereafter, every
year, without exception, the guard should
have the benefit OF camp of Instruction,
which should In no sense be a social session,
but the time should and will be occupied III
| schools of instruction In the practice, OF ma
neuyers las opposed to an enemy both oiren-
siyr aud defensivel, marches las through an
eneInyS country for ten TO twenty miles,.
drills range shooting and such other exercise
vice
In addition TO the usual allowances for this
department, respectfully ask for an appro-
rrfatiuD OF e25,tu fer tho year 1900 for an en-
canpment, and an additional sum OF SO, 900
70 cover transportation OF troops, etc. for the
enoaIuprreat the railroads hays heretofore
been very liberal in this matter and trans
ported the ;roops free, but we can not hope
for a long eontipuancc OF such lberslity.
l also respectfully ask that sufficient ap-
preparation be made TO arm uniform and fully
eurIp the Texas Volunteer Guard at once.
This sum should be no, less. than $4,000
Heretofore the individual members Of the
various companies have paid their own arm
ory rent ranging from $50 to $3.50 per annum.
This tax should not be. upon the members Of
the guard, but should be provided tor by the
Slate. ! therefore recommend an appropria-
ton OF $500 for 1880 and $500 foc 1890 for this
ppipose
thu state be PAID when In service, aud an ap
prop,letion OF $500, or 50 much thereof as may
be needed, should be made for this purpose.
lhe State should have Il permanent target
range, and ! suggest an appropriation OF $1,000
TO build and equip came, and $500 for ainmu-
milton for target practice during 1899 aud 5000
for the year 1900.
In ihe event these appropriations are made,
the tori OF this Office should be increased by
the employment OF n stonographer at $500 per
aanum.
in conclusion. I beg to relterato that tho
rporgAnizadon o. the Texas Volunteer Guard
fare CT the State, ard sincerely hone II viii
RE- GIVE your best attention and liberal sup.
FRONTIER BATTALION
TT is most imortant that the usual annual
appropriation Of $4,000 be made for the sup
port Of the frontier battalion.
After conference with the finance sub
committee Of the house. / sent the following
letter TO the ahellffs and district Judges IN the
Northwestern, Western and Southwestern
Sir: For the Information at the Iegis-
latrre. ] dssire to know the sentiment Of
your county and section in respect to re-
taining the Ranger force in the service
] would Ike to have your optnloa ns to
their usefulness II ths past, and rs TO the
probable need for the present force in
aiding ths civil authoritlss. etc. in the
future. Thog. scurry.
Adjutant Gen raj.
A large number Of responses have e.
made. and practically all lave urged can-
contending that the Rangers are IN abs Lutte
necessity particularly In thlniy sattia conn
ties, These LISTERS are on file in this office.
and are open TO inspection.
! would respectfully suggest that 0 d.seon :
tinuance OF the Ranger service wpali o Ia ]
the greatest hardships on tho people Of Wet
them. The evidenco Is overwhelmingly in
favor OF the retention OF the Rangers. In
reality, the so-cailed frontier battalion "a but
four small detachments of eight me1 each,
Including officers Tbs reports received at this
office indicate that these men. while faar.ess
and prompt IN the performance Of their duty.
have always acted with discretion ard IN the
most orderly mnnaer Thsir well known rep
utation for courage. of Itself, has had a most
ealutcry and good effect ON the lzwless elc-
msnt OF the communities where they have
heen stG.ioned.
Tie fact that the State has had for some
years past force ALWAYS ready TO suppress
disorder. nrrest criminals and help the civil
authorities IN the protection OF courts and
falls. has been the cause Of hundreds OF
Criminals taking refuge IN the bnrder States.
outsi6s the jurisdiotlon OF Texas. and IN
Mexico who wifi return to Texas 20 continue
their depradations and murders, 10 the event
Of III. Dissolution Of this body Of men. In
stances can be shown vhsre the moral effect
M having the Rangers ready 10 co-operats
With the c,Yii authorities anywhere IN thl
state. has bGen dsttrrant To the commission
~ Iswless acte. aud numerous Instances can
he shown where whole counties have bser
purged OF their criminal element. by tbs
prssence OF tho Rangers. who alone WERE
able to restore peace and good order 10 the
Th1ra is the strongest need for the con
,tn,iai,cs Of the Ranger force and hops the
,s,ial appropriation Of at leset SIS 900 per an
mum Will be made. Very resnertfulIy,
H1 Thos. SGurry
an4pY Adiutant General.