The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-21
COLOR LINE NOT DRAWN.
John Savage Tells of His Talk with
Gov. Gambler.

Gov. Gambler.
John D. Savage returned from Atlanta
yesterday, having spent the better part of
last week in the Capital City for the pur-
pose of interviewing Gov. Gambler in behalf
of the Forest City Light Infantry. colored,
which was ordered consolidated with he
Union Lincoln Light Guards by Inspector
General Obear, after his recent inspection
of the colored military, each company be-
ing lacking in enlistment.
AS has already been announced, Savage
was successful in his mission, the order for
the consolidation of the two companies
having been revoked by Gov Gambler pend
ing the meeting of the advisory board,
which Is some time off An Atlanta dis
patch to the Morning News stated that the
colored line was being drawn by the mem
bers of the Forest City Light Infantry,
the company being composed exclusively
of mulattoes and that this was the ground
of their objection to consolidation with the
Union Lincoln Guards.
Savage, accompanied by P. Y. Giles the
first lieutenant and commanding officer of
the Forest Citys called at the Morning
News office yesterday for the purpose Of
correcting the impression which has been
given with regard to the color line
The Forest City Light Infantry is the
Oldest negro military organza ton In the
state" he said, having been organized
since 1872. 1t has always been composed
of a very respectable class of colored
men and its members have always endeav-
ored to keep the company up to a high
standard. 1t is not true that the color
line has been drawn and that the member
ship has been confined exclusively to men
of light color. While the majority of the
members of the company about two
thirds, are light colored, there are num-
Der of black men in the company A
black man can become a member as east
~ as a mulatto if he can show chat he
Is the right sort of man. We are exclu-
sive to the extent that we do not want
anybody but respectable men for mem
bers."
AT the request of Lieut. Giles" said
Savage "the commanding officer of the
company / went to Atlanta to interview
Gov. Gambler. l had letters of recommen-
dalton from some of the most prominent
citizens of Savannah and so had no trou-
be in getting a hearing from the Gov
ernor. Gov. Gambler gave me a hear
ing and 1 had no trouble in showing him
that the Forest Citys had not been given
a fair opportunity at the inspection and
that the company had claims which war
ranted giving il another chance. After
hearing my statement the Governor in
structed Adjt. Cen Byrd to revoke the
order for consolidation pending the meet
ing of the advisory board, which will prob
ably not be for three months yet"
AS to the color line being brought up
in his interview with the Governor, Saw
age said: 'The Governor asked me if all
the men of the company were of my color
and l told him that most of them We're,
but that there were some black men.
told him that the objection to consolida-
ton with the Union Lincoln Guards was
not because of color, but because the
two companies were composed of different
classes of men, and that the two would
not mix well together"
Giles said that notice Of the inspection
was only received on the Saturday pre-
ceding the Monday night on which the
inspection was held. Joseph Mrault the
captain Of the company, had recently died
and the second lieutenant and first ser
geant had resigned. He himself was sick
at the time, and was unable to attend the
inspection. This left the company with
out officers, and, owing to the short no.
ice there was only a small attendance
at the inspection Hence the showing
made was a poor one, and the order of
the inspector general for consolidation
was justified. Col. Obear was. of course.
unaware of the social differences existing
between the two companies
Speaking Of the question of the color line
Savage. 1T is nonsense 10 say that The
color line is drawn in the company" he
said Il have black relatives and 50 have
other members and we could not wei
afford to draw the color line against them.
There are men in the company inst as
black as you viii find anywhere 1t is not
question of color with us, but Of respect
ability. We require that man must have
some reputable occupation. Our idea is 10
conline the company to an intelligent and
respectable class of men. Loafers and tlil-
birds are barred. No consolidation with
the Union Lincoln Guards would be sue
cessfui because the two commands are
composed of entirely different material
There would be no harmony between the
two elements and one crowd or the other
would control or the company would go 10
pieces. The Forest City Light Infantry is
the Oldest colOrcd military organization in
the state. and we desire to keep il uD I
am satisfied that with The opportunity af-
forded us we viii be abfe to make such a
showing that the order of consolidation
viii not be again issued and the command
will continue part Of the state military"
1t is proposed 10 begin the work of nut
ting the company in shape Immediately
and a meeting viii be he'd for this pur-
pose tonight.