The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-01
MILITIA IS
IN DANGER !.
& tlsg . = = !,
.rwo Companies Must Have
More Men Or They Will be
Mustered Out.
IS DIRECTLY Il DUE 10 STRIKE

Vi rrha ave Richmond companies OF the
geyentleth Regiment. virginia So'uA'
taars are passing through critical Pc
rlod of their history,
Company 3, the Walker Light 1ua'u'
lacks ave or six men to reach the n''h''
mum limit OF fifty-one. whsch II 'hus'
nave, com pany c. Guard OF the Com mon
wealth, Is In the same boat, only lacA'ns
.avAn men. Not only Is It necessary to'
q. oom r,snies to have hfty-one men 70
ret the State and national appropt'aa' 'o''s'
bnt their very existence Itself depends
upon It. ~ str,r.
while these two companies are strus-
sling with this problem, It dcvoives upoh
tie first battalion Of the seventeen ttes.
imant 10 elect major TO succeed Major
Charles o. Saville, who has made popu-
lar and efficient officer and whose Iesis'
nation & due TO the pressure OF business
has been accepted by the Governor ~
lie mrs, battalion are four compahlles77-A,'
B, F. and II, ,l,r,5 ~, ,r
The unhappy condition N when SoIl
nanies B and c. and %ths n.selVes IS a.
4 rec1ly trace bile to the strike OF the
street railway employeFA ,n.,
The reorganization Of the militia mere
took Mace In July, l0Qb. The enllstme.,
was for three years, as usual me per!oo
evpire6 during orlshoTtly after the strike,
A when the militia had been on duty TWEEN
5Sty.nl1e days, much to5the dlspieasute OF
number OF employers OF members OF the
Richmond companies; Nhen .ne .'lne ~
re enlistment came the Opposition OF en-
ployers in some instances was so strong
that men who would have continued IN
their com panIes were forced 10 leave
them to save their business positions.
AS many as twelve mon were lost TO {.
and seven or eight TO B. It was appar-
emit to the military leaders that II the ser
vice was to be saved to the state some.
thing must be done at once. a powerful
n,bIIn sentiment was to be created Iii
= COMMITTEES AT WORK,
For this purpose several meetings were
held and committees, entrusted With I'M
Z portant work to be attended to at once
were appointed. One OF these bodies went
z to see employers who were known to LOOK
with disfavor upon service In the mill.
tary. The Importance, nay. the absolute
necessity Of militia to ,the proper execu.
& tim OF the laws ''of the State was ex-
planned to them, impressed upon them
and driven home until they were forced
to see II as they never dreamed they
( could see it. a number are known to
4 have been won over. mum Der OF DINERS
who hitherto have been Indifferent 10
the military have since thrown out sug-
eestlons 10 employees, pleasantly. Of
course. that 1t would be good thing
4 for them to connect themselves with one
Of the companies, The result has been
seen In the roll call Of the com panics Il
has gained several men and c has five
X new and very promising additions
4 But others, as many others as needed
i TO make at least fifty-one. must be So.
CURED before January Goth or both COM
f panies will be mustered out. Notice was
4 given to this effect November Goth. With
q grace Of sixty days. There Is probably
{ little actual danger that either company
will be lost TO the regiment: the chiei
trouble will be In getting the most de-
Slrable men.
POSSIBLE MAJORS,
The selection OF successor to Major
eayllle will be difficult Captain y, W
Il Miller. Of Company g. is the ranking OF
4 dcer next to Major saville. He declined
: to allow his name 10 be used before. Cap
tain Baptist is next To him. Captain G.
Gray Bossieux, adjutant OF the regiment
and one Of the most faithful and usefu
Officers In the service. Is freQuentl,
spoken Of The chief opposition to hin
Is said to be that he cannot be spared
from his present position. He, Capital,
Miller, Captain Shackleford and Ca ptai.
Baptist are most prominently mentioned
The election takes place on Tuesday eve
ming, December 18th,