The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-10-20
FOR GOOD OF
HOME GUARD
a Meeting of Officers and Elk.
Officers Held.

Tho meeting last night Of commits
stoned officers. former commissioned Of
nccrs and citizens, held at the rcgi-
stems which, Will lead to Increased pub
lie interest In tho State Guard. was at
tended by men who are In earnest.
Without doubt much good Is to come
from these gatherings.
Colonel George Wayne Anderson call
. ed tho BODY to order In the room OF tho
old Richmond Grnys. !n the resmental
, armory. He outlined briefly why thoso
present and others had been invited and
suggested Colonel Sol Cutchins as the
permanent chairman. Colonel Cutchlns
was unanimously chosen and Captain
G. ~ Skipwith was appointed secretary
by the Chair, and also asked to state
explicitly the object hoped to be accom-
pishcd by these meetings. Captain
Skipwith said that the Indifference of
many of the people towards the mill
tary and tho outspoken and determined
opposition of many others, particularly
employers OF young men aud the labor
organizations were matters Of common
observation. People did not seem to
realize that military force was or
might he necessary for tho enforcement
Of the laws by the courts, and for tho
protection OF the property OF the people
when occasion should arise. but many
seemed to think that the companies
were just clubs and the militia 81 play
thing that might disappear altogether
and no one be tho worse for II. The re-
suit was that it was difficult to get
young men to fill the ranks OF the com
panes. and 1t could not be done sue
cessfully until there was strong putAc
sentiment behind the service 1t was to
devise some means OF bringing the pub
lie to the point OF giving this support
that former officers and citizens had
been called In.
SUGGESTIONS MADE.
Gentlemen were asked to make sug-
Eestions. Colonel NJ. l.. Spotswood said
that he thought the change of the name
of the regiment from the First to the
Seventeen had had the effect Of estrang-
ing some. The people at large, also. did
realize tho actual necessity of the States
having military organizations. Hc
thought the Chamber of Commerce and
the newspapers should take the matter
up the latter through their editor q |
columns Colonel G. Percy Halves was
also Of the opinion that the change OF
name had estranged some.
Colonel Cutchins said he thought gene
raj conditions had something to do with
tho lack of interest in the military. En-
tertainments of various kinds kept tho
minds of many away from matters Of
the sterner sort.
Captain Beauregard Lorraine said he
was confident the people did not realizo
the Importance of the military.
Colonel Anderson declared that two
needs OF the state militia was lorg
rife range for practice in shooting and
State encampments. All northern State
guards. pretty much, had these. Colonel
Stern said that the men did not appear
in uniform with that neatness OF person
which characterized them in citizens
dress He had suggested a, number OF
improvements which would be found In
his report.
! COMMITTEES APPOINTED.
AS result of these interesting state
nents, but briefest report of which Is
gwen. a resolution was adopted appoirf-
ing Colonel John b. Purcell. Major L. T.
| Christian and Captain skipwith q COM
mittee to go before the Chamber of Com.
merce and ret the aid OF that body. and
to ask the newspapers from time to time
to bring the cause of the military before
the people A committee was also APP
pointed. with CAPTAIN Lorraine5ns chair
! man...to bring about the orsaniz2s'on o!
the officers and ex-offcers for the pur-
pose of helping the militia.
Lieutenant Hardy stated that he had
been requested to express the regret OF
the Governor at not being able to be
, present. he having been called away
General Male also sent regrets not hav.
Ing returned from his home In Culpe per.