Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1910-02-26
For Putting Down Night
Riding at Expense
of $18o,OOO.
SHAMEFUL ATTACK
Joint Military Committee In
dulges in Denunciation,
but Offers No Proof.

M. Taylor, chairman of the Com.
mittee on Military Affairs, Wednes-
day presented a report of a State
Guard investigation. The report of
the committee says it was embar-
rassed by the failure of the State
Examiner to have inspected the re.
port of the Adjutant General. The
committee began by setting out
that $3.50, 900 had been spent on the
State Guard in two years, S1S9, 900
of it for active militia, practically
for the might rider" trouble. One
item was $4,000 to a Hopkinsvile
liveryman ror horse hire.
The report goes into much detail
as to conditions in the First, or
Louisville, Regiment. 1t declares
that Col. W. B. Haldeman was a
great success as head of the Louis
vile regiment, and recites testimony
to show that the examination was
made difficult so that no excuse could
be gotten to remove him from that
position. 1t attacks the appoint
ment of Col. Grinstead to succeed
him. Col. Haldeman and his officers
were forced out of office, concludes
the report, in order that the Louis
vile regiment might be made part
of the Louisville Republican political
machine. 1t closed with denuncia-
tion of the Governor and the Re.
publican administration.
The conclusions the committee
have drawn from the testimony are:
First-That in many instances the
Governor violated the Constitution
and the laws enacted in conformity
thereto by sending the State militia
to various counties in the State with
out the request of the civil authori,
ties Of the county and without the
civil officers having been first in.
formed of the need of such militia
and asked to request them and hav-
ing failed to do so.
Second-That the Governor violat
ed the Constitution and laws of the
State in refusing to place the militia
of the State when ordered out,
under the control of the civil au-
thorities and in assuming to control
them as COMMANDMENT. Chief, hold
ing them responsible to orders from
him and to orders from no other per-
son or authority.
Third-The militia while on active
duty were at least in one particular
instance, that of the rad on the
lodge at Wallonia. KY, guilty of
most outrageous conduct, and the
Governor. Adjutant General and Of
ficer commanding the militia de-
serve the severest criticism for not
investigating said outrage and pun
ishing the perpetrators.
Fourth-A large amount of money
belonging to the State has been ex-
travagantIy expended in the active
service of the militia without any
practical benefit to the State, and
the only result deficit in the State
treasury.
Fifth-The First Kentucky regi-
ment was in excellent condition
under the command of Col. Halde-
man. Col. Haldeman and other
officers in command of the regiment
were practically forced to resign in
order that Republicans might be ap.
pointed in their places, and the First
Kentucky made part and parcel of
the Republican machine of the city
of Louisville. and the regiment to-
day is in a wholly disorganized con-
dition.
SixthAIt is recommended that
committee of three hold-over Sena-
tors be appointed for the purpose Of
examining into the laws governing
the militia Of the State and of sub
mitting to the next General Assem-