The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-26
THE MILITIA AND RIOTS.

A difference of opinion has developed be-
leader and agitator, and Adjutant General
Ward, of Wisconsin,. Referring to the So
called riot cartridges" which are to be
furnished to the militia of some of the
States to be used with the new Krag-Jor-
gensen rifles. General Ward recently stated
that the regular cartridge was not fit for
quelfing riots. Mr.. Debs Immediately con-
cluded that this meant the regular cart
ridge is not deadly enough, and he rushed
into print with an article over his own sig
nature, in which he said: 1.-THE ordinary
Krag-Jorgensen cartridge will not do for
quelling riots. 1t is entirely too slow. as
it only kills workingmen one at a time.
whereas the riot cartridge will wipe them
out in job lots, to the terror and dismay
of the lawless strikers and the delight and
applause of the patriotic plutocrats." Mr..
Debs made an error such as is often made
by persons who speak or write without in
formation. He concluded that the riot
cartridge was more deadly than the regu-
lar one, whereas 1t is less so. Adjutant
General Ward. replying to his comments.
says: 1.-The new riot cartridge is not de-
signed to kill more people, but to kill few
er people. The regular Krag-Jorgensen
steel-jacketed bullet might readily pass
through the bodies of several men and then
kill some innocent person at distance. AS
for the killing properties of the new bullet.
Mr.. Debs has sadly overdrawn them. They
are not designed to kill, but to wound.
They have not nearly the penetrating quail
tiles of the regular bullet, and they have
comparatively short range
The Journal cannot speak authoritatively
to the relative killing qualities of the
regular and the riot cartridges. but 1t has
some views regarding the propriety of
using force, and, If necessary, calling out
the militia to suppress riots It's views on
this subject agree substantially with those
Of George Washington and long line of
statesmen since his time. Washington re-
garded an organized militia as necessary
to the national security, to the satisfaction
OF the community, and to the preservation
of order" 1t is fair to assume that he
meant an armed militia. There have not
been many occasions in our history when
1T has been necessary to call out the MILL
tia to suppress local riots. and they have
seldom found 1t necessary on these occa-
sions 20 fire gun. But he would be a
poor sort of American citizen who would
question the propriety of their doing so il
1t should become necessary to quell a riot
II the government is prepared to furnish
riot cartridge to be used on such &C.
casions. much less deadly than the regular
one, II has done a humane thing, though
rioters who defy the civil authorities are
not entitled to much consider alton Mr..
Debs's comment virtually condemns the
use of militia to suppress riots under any
circumstances. He should ponder a state
ment in the report of the anthracite coal
commission, which says: 1.-The resentment
expressed by many persons connected with
the strike at the presence of the armed
guards and militia of the State does not
argue well for the peaceable character or
purpose of such citizens. Peaceable or law
abiding citizens have To reason to fear or
resent the presence of either" No matter
what kind of arms or cartridges the militia
may have they will not hurt lawabiding
~ifi