Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-04-04
DEMOCRATS RAISE OBJECTION
GREAT NEED OF GUARD AND PROP.
Err EQUIPMENT.
State Is Absolutely without Tents or
Other Equipments Serviceablc
in Case of n Great Fire or
Tornado in the Large
Cities.

i
preparation to equip the national guard took
place in the house to-day. The Republic
ans on the appropriations committee, led
by Mann. of Kansas City. and James. of
St. Louis county. have been contendinS for
weeks to secure an $4,000 appropriation,
the sum asked fer by Adjutant General
Bell. The administration Democrats OPP
posed this appropriation in the interest OF
economy. which saves money on neceSsarleS
and wastes it in clerical and other steals.
The Democratic caucus voted to cut the
appropriation down to $4,000. an amount
ridiculously small. In spite of this the
appropriation committee brought in NIL
nority report favoring an $4,000 appropria-
ton. A majority of the committee-Pope,
Nicholas. Rutledge Bohart, Robert Smith.
of Saline. and McRoberts-all Democrats.
reported $4,000 appropriation. Hall, Of
Saline. attempted substitution of the mi
nority for the majority report. He failed
in this and the whole matter. on motion OF
James. was made a special order for
Wednesday at 2 o'clock.
A liberal appropriation for the national
guard is especially important in these pip
ing times of war. The cost of equipping
500 men for service in the national guard Of
Missouri is s35.l26.72. The appropriation is
to equip and prepare for service regiments
VI Ltu edCL, OF GlSul COilpduleS u
fifty men each. These regiments are less
than half the strength of regiments in the
United States army (Which is 1900 men).
This estimate is only based on actual needs
for national guard regiment. 1t does not
include uniforms or equipment Of any kind
for officers nor for band uniforms or in
struments. Such articles as overshirts. un-
derShirtS. socks. drawers, shoes, gauntletS,
field coats trousers. clothing bags. over
alls. targets. tent pins, slips. mattresses,
suspenders. bags. ETC.. with which the reg
ular army equips its soldiers. have not
been included in this estimate; nor does it
include messing outfit. which is furnished
by the United States at q cost of s7S3. .04.
Hospital supplies and a Red Cross am
bulance are not included. Should an ap-
preparation be made of $4,000. it would
equip about 1.40O men as estimated above.
The law allows 5000 national guardsmen
for the state of Missouri.
Under an act of congress dated February
II, 1887. the amount of 100000 was appro-
priated annually among the various states
and territories. Of the Union according to
their representation in congress- The APP
portionment for Missouri was 81, 900 per
annum. This was drawn annually by the
governor of the state up to 1889. No cash
could be drawn. but such articles Of
ordnance and quartermaster's stores as
were needed. viz. rifles. carbines. cloth
ing of all kinds. tentage, ETC., etc. Since
that time the state had accumulated up
wards of $4,000 in property. However, as
soon as war was proclaimed with Spain,
the general government called on the gov
erty for the use of the volunteer troops.
which was done. leaving the state without
sufficient arms or equipment to arm a
e If no a of this saa Would
returned to the state. but under ruling
Of the attorney general OF the United
ionged to to the ie United States and % was ) only My
held In trust by the various states and
could not be returned without a special
act Of congress and as the majority of
| destroyed in the recent war with Spain. it
would entail an expenditure of over 81. 800,
COO, to return all this property, to. the
congress would do this. 1t will. therefore,
be seen that it will be necessary for the
state Of Missouri to expend the cum of
national gaurd.
During the recent tornado in st. Louis
when. thousands Of families were rendered
| homeless, the First regiment was called out
and pitched tents for the homeless women
| and children. carried food to the helpless
attended the sick H. and l.,o protected the lives
| out for several days in the most inclement
| weather and did not receive one cent from
the state OF missouri Tor It's services.
| Should tornado or disastrous fire visit
| Kansas City. st. Louis or any of our larger
| cities. the governor would undoubtedly be
called upon to furnish tentage and soldiers
| to protect the property.
| The state has not a tent on hand. nor
has 1t any money. or means to raise and
equip single national guardsman. If the
! administration Democrats are really anx-
| ious to economize In the general appropria-
| tion bill, ways might be devised other than
| by shaving the appropriation for the mil
| tia. For instance. here are few items:
Contingent expenses of the governors Of
| flee, 81. 600: current expenses at the govern
| ors mansion, $4,000; keeping up the govern
| or's lawn. $4,000; printing state documents
| $50. 900: for Cousin Tom" Rixey and his
special agents and clerks. $4,000.