The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-28

Because the military department OF the
state of Washington, with Gov. Rogers
at its head. was Indifferent to the inter
ests of the men OF the First
Washington regiment when that magnifi-
cent body of soldiers was mustered into
the service of the United States in 1s9s,
over half the members of the regiment
were compelled to don uniforms which
had been condemned by boards of survey
OF the National Guard. and which were
therefore unfit for use. These uniforms
were moth eaten, worn and dirty. Gov.
Rogers and his adtutant general did not
take the necessary steps to provide the
boys with suitable raiment. and the re-
suit was that between 500 and 700 voiun-
teers went into camp at Vancouver wear
Ing clothes with the word condemned"
stamped In indelible letters on the seats
or their trousers or on their coats and
vests.
To the truth Of this statement hum
dreds of volunteers who served with gal
lantry In the Philippine war will testify.
This 10 one OF the reasons why the Phil
ippfne veterans will vote almost to a
man for Mckinley and Frink at the cleo
ton next week. The indignity put upon
the soldiers was inexcusable.s II was I'M
pardcnabie, and has never been forgot
ten by the men who, forsaking their vo-
cations IN private life. marched into the
aidos treacherous bands fired on the
Stars and Stripes. and never rested until
they had avenged the insult to the honor
OF their native country.
Guard Was in had shape.
1t is matter OF common knowledge
that when President Mckinley issued his
nrst can FOR volunteers. the National
Suaru OF this state was In bad shape
owing to ill-advised and picayunish legis-
iation by the fusion legislature OF 1897.
In every armory in the state there was
q large number Of uniforms which had
been condemned by military boards OF
surveys. 1t Is the custom to burn such
clothing and thus prevent members OF
the guard from being disgraced by wear
ing 1t. Had the rule been followed by
Gov. Rogers and his ad1utant general.
nearly IL not quite half the Washington
regiment would not have gone to Van
couyer barracks ornamented with the
word Condemned" written in bold let
ters on their trousers
In some manner. however. the governor
succeeded In palming of these condemned
uniforms on the United States govern
ment. which promptly charged them up
to the soldier boys by deducting the
amount from their individual allowance
for clothing. which amounts to about s5s
per six months. Naturally, in the rush
OF preparations for the war. the govern
ment had little. chance 10 provide lmme-
diately good clothing for the men who
went about wearing discarded clothing
oecause they had nothing else. They
might better. they say, have been al
lowed to wear their citizens clothing.
At Vancouver, the men who were I'M
fortunate enough to be compelled TO wear
the condemned suits. obtained new ones
as fast as possible. for which. Of course.
they were charged by the war depart
ment. In these cases. numbering IN the
aggregate over 500. the men were COM
PEELED to pay out OF their clothing al
lowances for two suits before they finally
started for the Philippines.
Denounce the Outrage.
W. r. Budlong. now n clerk in the Of
f1cc OF the local quartermaster, who was
sergeant Of Company Il. Of Seattle. Is
authority for the statement that practl-
cally "a rcr cent. OF the volunteers In
iS9S who enlisted IN the First Washing
ton were compelled to leave Camp Rogers
wearing condemned suits. w. -. COvisg-
ton. who was quartermaster sergeant OF
the First Washington. said yesterday
that In his opinion fully half cf tho VOL
unteers had to wear the CASTOR uniforms
because none other were provided by
the National Guard authorities. the chief
Of whom is Gov. Rogers
The members OF the regiment who wore
the dscrded uniforms were deeply cha
grired. but they had no redress. They
were made the butt Of Jokes by their
more fortunate comrades IN camp until
they could secure regulation uniforms
for which they were charged by the gov
errment under the regulations.
The charge against the governor Of neg
the men Of the First Washington in this
respect will be felt TO tho cost OF the
fusion nominee on election day.
The victims Of executive Indifference are
scattered all over the state They all
tell the same story Among the men who
have publicly denounced the outrage In
Tacoma are c. r. Carlson and c. @.
Jacob of that city. Mr.. Carlson was n
returned home as sergeant OF Company
c.