The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-24
REGIMENT OF NEGRO TROOPS.
SECRETARY ROOT URGED TO Es-
TABLIsH ONE OR MORE.

Col. John V. Ryan of Jacksonville Is
Back of the Move, and Believes the
Colored Men should he Given
Chance--He Would Take n Commits
sion as Colonel or MajOr-Therc lis
strong Prejudice in Washington
Against II.
Washington Aug. 23,- (speciaD. South
ern congressman are strongly urging Sec
retary Root 10 establish one ca more negro
regiments under the latest call for volun-
teers. 1t is claimed that thousands of col
ored men all through the South are auN-
ious to volunteer for service either in the
Philippines or in the West Indies.
The strongest pressure upon the Sec
retary Of War in behalf of the enlistment
of co,ored volunteers comes from Georgia
and Florida, and it is said that those two
states could furnish. at ten days notice.
enough colored troops to constitute ten
full regiments.
The proposition is being vigorously
pressed by Col John V. Ryan Of Jackson
vile, Fla, who Is a veteran of the war of
the states He was a colonel in an Ohio
regiment. and at the close of the war took
up his residence in Florida. The spark
of military zeal still burns within him, and
he is willing to accept a lieutenant colon
elcy or a majors commission In one of the
colOred regiments, If established.
Col. Ryan says he proposes 10 remain
here until The President returns to Wash
inston, when the subject will be presented
to the latter in detail. Cot Ryan is armed
with endorsements from number of
Southern congressman, including the two
senators from Florida Representative Liv-
ingston, and Gov. Gambler of Georgia He
says there is strong sentiment all
through the South In favor of the enlist
ment of colored volunteers, because of
their peculiar fitness for service in the
warm climate, either in the Philippines or
In Cuba or Porto Rico
Prejudice Against Them.
1t is understood that this question was
Included in the budget carried to Lake
Champlain by Secretary Root. for consider
alton by the President. Thus far Secretary
Root has declined to commit himself on
the subject further than to say that he Is
aware that the colored regulars make
excellent soldiers, There is, however, a
strong prejudice existing in the war de
partment against the enlistment Of col0red
The establishment of colored regiments,
that the few regiments raised in the early
| stages of the Spanish war caused no end
Of trouble and friction in consequence of
the ungovernable race prejudice which ex-
! ISIS.
Col. Ryan says his experience has taught
| him that there is no difficulty in dscipling
colored troops il they are properly ohic, red
| He has an appointment to meet Secretary
| Root tomorrow, when he will present doc
uments TO prove that the people Of the
| South, irrespective OF color or politics,
| would approve and a majority earnestly
| desire the organization Of at least one co..
ored regiment for service in the Philip
pines or elsewhere. lie says the co.ored
men of the South are anxious TO serve In
| the army, and they naturally chafe al be-
| ing denied the right TO fight for their coun-
! try and the honor of its flag. Such reci-
ment, he says. recruited IN Georgia. Flor
| against tropical fevers and unaffected by
| heat Such a regiment could be recruited
| for military organizations composed OF
men well drilled and made ready for serv-
| ice within thirty days
It is not proposed that the war depart
ment shall depart in any sense from the
| statute of March Y, 1899 in the organization IN
Of the regiment requested. the authorize
ton Of such a regiment being all that is
| asked, the President appointing al officers
! at his discretion.