Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-19
A Former Volunteer Officer wants
Reorganization Delayed Until 'he
state Has Uctter Military Laws
Question OF Property Right.

eide who * 10 have a considerable sum OF
money which the Danville Grays had
I'm its treasury when il entered the
service Of the United states at the break
ing out Of the war. VIII il go 10 the or
ganizatiOn which the company hopes 10
effect in a few days? Governor Tyler
saws he thinks the courts will have 10
decide the matter.
10 IS also vc.y probable that IN the
event Of the accommodation of Assist
ant-Inspector General stern that the
First Regiment be disbanded is acted
upon by the Governor. the courts VIII
have to decide what shall be done with
the fund I'm the treasury for the purchase
Of new uniforms.
OPPOSED TO HASTY ACTION.
There IS also considerable opposition TO
reorganization at present, or at any TIME
until the military law Of Virginia snail
have been amended. The present STATE
law Is regarded as antiquated and Unfair
II is argued that it will never b. changed
so long as the military is willing 10 put
up with il. Therefore, il is argued the
best thing 10 do is 10 refuse 10 organize
until the General Assembly passes a law
calculated to encourage ana foster the
State military organization.
This is the view taken by a well-known
Young Virginia officer. who served with
his company during the last war. lie
writes the Dispatch as follows:
Richmond. Va, March IS 1888.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
| have the honor TO request space in
vour columns for an expression of my
views concerning the reorganization OF
the Virginia volunteers, now in contem-
plation. ! am entirely opposed 10 reor-
ganizaton at this time, for the following
reasons:
For many years past the volunteer or
ganizauon of our State has been very
far below the standard. Its discipline
has been poor; its uniform shoddy, cheap,
and in fitting; its arms antiquated, and
its field and camp equipment practically
nil. In this condition the interest of botn
officers and men has had no stimulus,
and with no opportunity for practical
training. it is wonderful that the organi-
zation mas been maintained at all. on
public occasions it is the rule that many
Of our companies appeared so poorly
equipped and so badly drilled and dis
ciplined as 10 be the laughing stock,
rather than the pride, of our citizens,
and when the National Government called
for Nirginia's quota Of Toops for the
standardization war il was necessary,
practically, TO organize that quota from
green material with no serviceable field
equipment and with officers ignorant OF
the exigencies Of field service. The past
history Of the Virginia volunteers is q
sufficient argument to convince any one
that that history must not be repeated
when the organization is recreaed.
NEED NEW LAWS.
Now. i'm order to give Virginia volun-
teer organization creditable to her. We
must have "a revision of chapter Il OF
the Virginia Code giving us founda-
ton law for the organization and dlscl-
plining Of Virginia soldiers. IL should,
among other things. prescribe physical
standard of enlistment, and fairly hlgh
mental standard for commissions, ana,
above an, IL should enact rigid system
of discipline, carrying into effect the SEN
fences of conference.-the, and not allow
ing them. as now, TO remain, in most
cases. empty words, not worth the paper
upon which they are written. 1t Is also
essential that provision be made for HELD
instruction.
II the state cannot afford to maintain a
frst-class organization as large as the
very poor one that she has had I'm the
past, then let her organize a smaller
force that she can maintain upon a OASIS
Of thoroughness Ny great objection to
reorganization under the existing statutes
is that so long as an organization is
willing to exist under them just so long
will the Legislature refuse US improved
enactments. But should 1t be apparent
that Virginia is to have no military unul
il is given a support, then action Will be
taken very quickly. Each citizen OF TINS
State should subject his personal desires
and love Of the 'pomp, pride. ana err
! cumstance Of peaceful war TO pride IN
his state and her interests, and taxing
this. the greatest opportunity in years,
| do his part to force a consideration OF
her soldiers upon the minds of her law
| makers.
virginia has now a shadow only Of vol
unteer organization. Let us refrain from
! creating q substance until that substance
/ is given a ground upon which 10 stand
/ Much good missionary work may be ac-
| complished during the coming legislative
/ campaign towards the enactment Of q
! system of laws for the government of the
states military department
| Ii has been repeatedly stated that Nir'
| einia is too poor TO provide for her troops
/ II SO. let US cut down their number l.
even one regiment, scattering the com
/ panics throughout the state but armins
and equipping them thoroughly, and Civ
ing them laws which will hold the stand
ara TO the top of the masthead. II i.
| much better for a poor man 60 discard
| hncry altogether than 10 wear cheaI
| gatherings, and il is undoubtedly true tha
! a CreaI function Of volunteer sOldIery is
display. although the history of the Viz
ginia volunteer proves that he has Otter
been most sternly useful ass well as orna-
mental
! sincerely hope that this question of
better laws will be earnestly considered
by our young men before they rush for
ward 10 reorganization. and beg 10 be
taken back into the delusion which tho
volunteer organization under the now law
undoubtedly is, and that they viii rcaliz.
that although the ties of camp life viii
draw many OF the members of the wal
regiments TO enlist. yet they cannot posi-
bly, maintain a permanent interest under
the fTuitless efforts which have beer
made for legislative support when they
We're organized before Let them think
of the pages and pages OF recommends
tons made, without effect, by our Adju
tant-General and our Assistant lnspec
tor-General. Let them compare the con
diuOn OF the Virginia volunteer witt
that OF the National Guard, Of Pennsyl
vania, New Jersey. and other States, an'
II they have the Virginia military at hear
let them work for a foundation for thei
structure before they begin 10 build.
GEORGE y. SKIPWITH.
Late First Lieutenant, Second Virginia
Volunteer Infantry.
THE sTRANG INJUNCTION ARGUED