The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-02-28
SUGGESTIONS MADE BY GEN
FROST FOR IMPROVING THE
SERVICE.
Unless There Is More Interest Taken
and Greater Efficiency Developed
Federal Aid May Be Withdrawn.


time, the militia will b unable to meet
the requirements of the federal Dick
act and will not only forfeit its federal
appropriation, which now amounts to
$4,000 a year and which may in
short time be double that, but the State
will also forfeit the equipment it gets
from the federal government.
IF federal aid is cut off, said Ad-
jjutant General Frost, the State will
have to spend something like 100000
year to keep it's military organization
in any sort Of decent shape
There are some holding high posi-
tions in the military in this State who
advocate the militia being reduced
from three regiments to one regiment.
In that case though the spectacular
brigadier general staff would be wiped
out there would be enough even from
the present meagre State appropria-
ton OF $4,000 to give the companies
good quarters but would allow some
pay for drill attendance. And it is
predicted that as a result Of the pres
ent condition Of affairs only abont two
full regiments from the three or gani-
cations will get here. General Frost
himself says that at least two compa-
mis- will have to be mustered out Of
service shortly, and he adds that the
drill attendance will have to improve
or the efficiency will not be up to the
requirements of the Dick act at the
end of the present term of five years,
next year.
A rigid and thorough inspection be-
gins next month, and by the end Of his
present term of office General Frost
hopes to have the militia in such shape
that it will meet the requirements OF
the Dick act. And by that time he
also expects 70 check up all the gov
ernment property and make COM
plete final settlement for this between
the State and the Federal government.
The old guns and other kinds Of ord
nance are now being turned into the
Augusta arsenal, but there is mass
of equipment yet charged to the
State that is absolutely valueless O;
has been lost A board Of survey will
pass upon this and upon their recon-
mendation it will be burned or turned
into the Federal government as condi-
tions seem to justify. The part that
has been lost will be paid for by the
State out of its annual appropriation
from the government.
General Frost thinks that to put
the militia on creditable basis the Of
fee Of adjutant general should be
taken out Of politics, one regiment
should be cut off, and the appropria-
ton should bt increased to $4,000.
South Carolina is the only State in the
Union which does not pay it's militia.
The other States pay from 81 to $3.50
FIR the time they spend in camp, be-
side providing them with armories
and the like. This States appropria-
tion is spent in light and armory rent.
The increase would allow a small
amount as an inducement to attend
drills, and the 45 cents day the men
get while in camp should be increased
to $3.50.
The Federal Dick act is having the
effect il itself of reducing the numer-
ical Strength OF the South Carolina
militia to what it should be by COM
parison with other States. but wheth-
er what is left will be in condition to
meet the requirements Of the act re-
mains to be seen.
showed no particular respect or admi-
alton for or interest or pride in the
militia 1t killed all bills looking to
its Improvement, such as exemp1ing
the members from road duty or jury
duty. and the debates on all these bills
howed that there were many members
Of the legislature who didn't care if
the State lost all OF it's military organ
izations who We're of the opinion that
If the State needed them volunteers
could be gotten together and in short
time would be more efficient that what
was contemptuously spoken Of as band
box soldiers invincible in peace and in
visible in war The Old States SOW
ereignty sentiment in the State is still
strong, and there is prejudice against
this assistance from the Federal gov
ernment.
General Frost wants to see force
Of not less than 1900 men being con-
stantly and adequately trained in mil
itary service In that case the State