The Savannah morning news., 1902-12-30
NEW MILITARY LAW
IT'S PROVISIONS RELATIVE TO EN-
LIsTMENTs, DISCHARGES AND
REPORTS.
GENERAL ORDERS RECEIVED.
DIsHONoRABLE DISCHARGES ONLY
IN CASES OF COURT-MARTIAL.

Last Night-Are Being Mailed to
Officers To-day-Omcers Think Or
der the Most Important Received
in Many MOnths-Is a Decided Step
Forward for the state Militia-By
Its Provisions a Person Discharg-
ed for the Good of the Service
Is Disqualified From Holding Any
Position of Honor or EmOlument.
other Provisions of the Order.
General orders, in line with the pro-
visions of the military bill recently
passed by the Legislature, were re-
ceived in Savannah last night at regi-
mental headquarters, and are to-day
being mailed to the company COM
manders and staff and field officers.
The orders are of especial interest to
the military of the city, containing as
they do numerous innovations in mill
tary discipline and regulations.
Directly after the receipt of the or
ders there was an informal meeting of
several of the officers of the First Regi-
ment, at the regimental army. The
various parts of the order were dis
cussed, the general impression being
| expressed that the scope of the order
was far-reaching, and more important
than any single order issued in many
| months.
1t contemplates a more rigid inforce-
ment of existing regulations, and pro-
VideS a more regular method of secur-
ing enlistments and granting dis
/ oh frf1., h.
| bill recently passed is general in its
| character, the orders received last
night relate only to the matters of en-
! listments, discharges and the return of
reports to the Adjutant General.
Substance of the Order.
The order comprises five paragraphs.
The first of these provides that begin
ming Jan. 1, all enlistments shall be for
| term of one year. This portion of
the order meets with especial favor not
| only with the military men in Savan-
nah, but with the military all over
the state. Heretofore the term of en-
listment has been two years, and the
| uncertainty of location, and future
plans, especially among young men
prevented the enlistment of many who
| could have enlisted under a shorter
| term.
This same section further provides
| that recruiting officers make the neces-
sary change in the oath of enlistment.
| Then follows an explanatory and re-
| str1ctive order admoniShing recruiting
officers to exercise great care in enlist
| ing only such men as are ordinarily
| physically qualified to meet the de-
| mands of the service that may be
required of them, should the Governor,
| in pursuance to the terms of the new
military bill. have occasion to provide
violin nt h.
A more rigid and specific perform
| alice of the rule relative to enlistments
| is contained In the second paragraph of
| the order. 1t is there ordered that en-
nstments, in the future, be made in
| duplicate, the original in the book, and
| the duplicate on card, which card will
| be sent to the Adjutant Generals Of
| hce. The officers are especially en-
| Joined to the use of extraordinary care
| in the preparation of these cards, since
they constitute the record upon which
| service medals and retirement is grant
| ed.
Will Be Given Medals.
By the provisions of the new bill,
| all officers and enlisted men who have
| served six years will be rewarded by
the presentation of a bronze medal of
suitable design; and for every addi-
| tional four years a bar will be added
| to the six-year service medal. This
| provision has retroactive force. It's
| object is to encourage reinlistment in
| the George State Troops, and to dis
| tinguish those men who have given
many years of their life to the service
| of the state, from the raw recruits.
1t is thought that the presentation
| of this medal will be appreciated by
all the men in the service, and that
| 1t will be an incentive to greater eff
| fort. Recognition of service, when
| evidenced by some distinguishing
mark, is sure to be appreciated. The
| state authorities have not yet decided
| upon the shape or design of this med
| al. An officer in this city has with
| great care designed a medal which he
will shortly submit to the authorities.
| Section provides that, in the fu-
| ture, enlistment cards shall be signed
by the recruits in person. This is a
departure, the enlistment cards hav-
ing previously been signed by the en-
listing officer.
Discharges From the Service.
One of the most important features
| of the order is contained in the fourth
section, which relates to the matter of
dishonorable discharges, and dis
charges for the good of the service.
Here a distinction is drawn between
| them. Dishonorable discharges will. in
where it is desired to carry out SEN
tence of a court-martial.
| Either dishonorable discharge. or a
discharge for the good of the service.
| disqualifies the person so discharged
from holding any position, state coun-
ty or municipal, of honor or enlolu-
ment, until such disability is removed.
! This is the most distinct innovation
contemplated by the order 1t is along
| the line of the regular army regula.
| tions, relative to discharges.
The fifth and last provision of the
order is to the effect that all reports
and returns required to be made an
nually must hereafter be rendered on
the first day OF January. The order
becoming Immediately effective, the
officers of the regiment will be Obliged
to make their property returns, and
other returns, at once. This will entail
a great deal of work, and while the
officers recognize the practicability of
the provision, they are sorry that IL
becomes effective on such short notice
The officers are very much pleased
with the general color OF the order. II
Is, they think, a step forward. Some
OF them are free 10 admit, without in
tending and reflection upon the past
conduct OF affairs, that military az
fairs have during the past year or two
/ taken a backward step. They think
that IN the event OF the passage OF the
| Dick bill, and the conformity Of the
state with the provisions, the govern
ment would require Just such rsRtlla-
] ffgHa 49, are furluaaa n. a.. -.