The Savannah morning news., 1904-01-01


ton with such a problem just now.
What grounds can be given for such
an act. 1t is not within the power of
the Governor to disband the troops
now. and would ask that such a res
olution as has been submitted be
withdrawn or voted down.
Col. GOrdOn'S Opposition.
Col. G. A. Gordon spoke as follows:
opposing the passage of the resolution;
Il have listened with much interest
to the remarks of those officer who
advocate the disarmament OF the negro
troops in this state, and | appreciate
fully the weight of their arguments
In speaking on this subject, 1 wish to
give very briefly my own individual
opinion. l do not speak as commander
of the First Infantry; indeed, 1 think
it probable that the sentiments l eX-
press are not in accord with the views
of a large majority of the officers
and enlisted men of the regiment.
Il believe this question of disband-
ing the negro troops is a phase of the
most important problem which con-
fronts the white people of the South
ern States to-day and l am willing
to go on record as a matter of prin-
ciple, although / recognize the fact
that, from the standpoint of expedien-
wise. / am opposed to the total dis
bandment of the negro troops. Such
course seems to me to be short
sighted; mindful only of the present
and carless of, or Indifferent to, the
distant future. 1 believe that the
Southern states are destined to adj
vance rapidly in every direction. Their
progress intellectually, morally, socially
and commercially has just begun and
will proceed by leaps and bounds. I
believe 1t is impossible for two-thirds
OF the population to advance, while one
third remains stationary, or retro
grades. We are at the parting of the
ways. We might as we'll accept the
fact that the negro will also make
progress. Our wisest course is to en-
courage those negroes who desire i'm
proVement, and to take an interest in
their EFFORTS, instead of trying to dis
courage them, and thus forcing them to
seek and accept assistance from peo-
pie In other sections who are mere the
orlsts and do not understand the real
situation.
Brought to q Focus.
The question of negro troops has
been brought to focus by the Dick
Dill, which seems to present a very
remote possibility of white troops he
ing commanded by negro officers
These changed conditions make it nee
essary to change somewhat the status
OF the negro troops. Our state law is
framed SO. as to render it almost inn
possible Tor white troops to be COM
manded by negro officer. 1t NAV
be well to suggest some amendments
to the Dick bill, or. if this plan is not
feasible, 1t would be in order to re-
duce the number of negro troops to.
possibly one company, and it might
even be advisable to have this COM
pany differed by white men. Probably
all of the troops in the state. both
white and negro, could with advan-
tage be reduced in numbers and i'm
proved in efficiency. The point 1 wish
to emphasize, however, is this: that,
after making every necessary change
so as to avoid the possibility of
wounding the susceptibilities of the
white troops, care should still be taken
10 provide some organization wherein
negroes may do service as volunteer
soldiers, if they desire to enlist as
such. History shows that negro
troops, under proper leadership, make
good soldiers. This large negro pop
uiation should not be deprived of the
opportunity of learning discipline and
all the good qualities which are in
culcated in a soldier.
selected number of them as soldiers
would, it seems to me, make for law
and order, whereas to notify them that
none OF them are ever to be permitted
to bear arms, takes away from them
that feeling of responsibility, which
should be cultivated carefully amongst
them, instead of being utter
ly destroyed. I believe, in the event
of foreign war, that they would
7 80 Ill
sure that, properly trained, and prop
erly differed, they would not be of
service to the state in quelling negro
rioters. 1t probably is best to restrict
the issuance of commissions to those
only who are responsible and are quail
fed to exercise command, but to leg
islate the entire body of negro troops
out of existence without giving them
chance to express wish on the sub
opposed to it,"
The Vote.
After a general discussion by nearly
every one present, and a discussion as
to whether or not newspaper reporters
present should be requested not to
print what each officer had said, Col.
Wooten put the motion before the
Executive Committee, and the vote was
taken, resulting as follows: Ayes-Col.
w. E. Wooten, Col. Ed Huguenin,
Lieut.. Col. w. L. Grayson, Maj. w.
w. Williamson and Col. Usher Thomas
son.
Nays-Col. Clifford Anderson, Col.
P. w. Meldrim and Lieut.. Col A. j.
Scott.
The following delegates to the Inter
state National Guard Association,
which meets at st. Augustine, Fla,
Jan. 25 to %, were chosen: Gen. Samp-
son w. Harris, adjutant general; Maj
A. H. De Vaughn, Lieut.. Col. T. N
Hopkins, Col. C. L. Anderson, Col. E.
d. Huguenin, Col. p. w. Meldrin, Col.
G. A. Gordon, Maj. w. w. Williamson,
Commander H. S. Colding, Col. w. G.
Obear and Col. A. r. Lawton.
The following resolution, introduced
by Lieut.. Col. w. L. Grayson, was
voted down by d majority of to I;
Col. GraysOn's Resolution.
Whereas, The military forces of
Georgia as at present constituted are
composed of an excessive number of
organizations; be it
Resolved, That the military forces
of the state of Georgia be reduced to
the following organizations:
Three regiments of infantry, of
twelve companies each.
One battalion of heavy artillery,
of four companies.
One battery of field artillery.
One squadron of cavalry, of four
companies.
Two divisions of naval reserves.
BE 1t further resolved, That the re-
duction of the present establishment be
brought about as follows: When a
company, troop battery, or division
of naval militia is disbanded for in