The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-07-02
DON'T WANT TO Be
MUSTERED OUT
NEGROES GOOD SOLDIERS.
rot. DEvEAUx, COMMANDING COL
oRED COMPANIES, TALKS.

recommendation of Inspector Gem
eraI Obenr Would Work Hardship
on Organization in Existence Thir-
~ Years, He says-CIaims troops
Would be Faithful to Uphold Law.
when Bill Comes up Hearing Win
be Asked.
If the recommendations of Inspector
General Obear are carried out by the
present session of the Legislature, the
colored companies of Georgia will be
soon mustered out of the service.
In the state there are five colored
companies, three in Savannah, one in
Macon and one in Augusta. Steps
have already been taken to organize
another company in this city, and if
the matter is taken up in the Legisla-
ture it will be opposed by the colored
troops of Savannah.
In his report the inspector general
navs the following tribute to the eff
cheney of the colored troops:
an Justice to the colored troops it
;s hut fair to state that they are now
A. their highest state of efficiency as
regards drill, discipline and organiza-
lion. and are composed mostly of well
selected officers and men OF their race
Dick Law Responsible.
The ground upon which the recon-
rnendation for the mastering out OF the
colored troops is based is that under
the Dick law these troops are placed
on an equality with the other troops,
The former code making the colored
officer always junior to the white Off
Ger. regardless of relative rank. 1t
was stated that such a condition as
contemplated by the new law would
certainly decrease the enlistment of
white troops, though the chance that
they would have to salute negro as a
superior officer might be ever so re-
mote.
1t was further stated in the report
referred to that the colored troops
would not likely be serviceable in han
ding a mob of their own race, and
that the expenditure for the compa-
MES, estimated at $4,000, was not JUS
titled.
Would Oppose Measure.
Col. j. H. Deveaux, who is in COM
mand of the colored troops of the state,
does not view the proposed move with
favor. In speaking of the matter yes
terday, he said:
1T would be rather hard for the col
ored troops to disband. They have
been organized for thirty years in this
city, and until recently have been at
a great expense. On all occasions
they have been good soldiers, and
ready to enforce the laws for the pro-
lection of public and of private prop
erty. They have always held them
selves in readiness on occasions of
riots or other troubles, and if called
out would do their duty as faithfully
as anybody.
THE same situation obtains in the
United States army, in which there
are many Southern officers who come
in contact with the colored officers
without the slightest friction.
THE Dick bill does not change the
right of the Governor to call out such
troops as he wants. and he has the
right to disband any troops at any
time. This seems to me to be an easy
means of disposing of any friction
should it arise.
Get Along Well Here.
1T is unlikely that any occasion,
such as is referred to, would ever
arise. The white and colored officers
in Savannah have been getting along
nicely for thirty years, and the white
officers have generally been ready to
help in any way. l do not believe
that the white officers of Savannah
would really be in favor of our dis
banding.
IF the measure is introduced and
is referred to the Military Committee,
we shall ask to be heard before ac-
fion is taken. The colored companies
in Savannah are prosperous, and Just
now are raising funds for an armory,
for which they already have the lot
The officers have recently complied
with the orders in equipping them
selves with new uniforms at a great
expense, and we feel that it would be
a, very great injustice to disband the
colored troops, especially as we are as
loyal to the state as any troops, or
any class of people, and it is not our
Tault that we have not had a chance