The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-07-26


opinion that II would be good thing
for this state to adopt the California
plan OF organizing high school stu.
dents into military companies OF forty
men each and drilling them with
Krag-Jorgensen rifles Adjt. Gen.
Moore told reporters the other day
that he heartily approved" the sug-
geStion Of Mr.. Robert Shaw Oliver.
acting Secretary of War. that other
States adopt the California system.
In transmitting Mr.. divers let
ter. Adjt. Gen. Moore wrote TO Gov.
Blease In part as follows: 'I hearth
~ concur I'm the suggestions offered
and also approve of most Of the sec
tlons incorporated In this (Califor-
nia) Act. but I feel satisfied that i'm
Aorder to have a similar Act passed
y by the legislature OF this State it
will be necessary for the war depart
ment to provide at least the arms
and equipment necessary without
cost to this State. together with the
assignment OF an officer from the
regular army or from the retired
list for instruction and supervision
OF such schools as may come under
the provisions OF this Act"
Governor Blease addressed to Mr..
Oliver Thursday letter In which he
presents in plain terms his views.
which differ radically from those of
Adjt. Gen. Moore.
The Governors letter is as fol-
lows:
Hon. Robert Shaw oliver. Acting
Secretary OF War and President Of
Board for Promotion of Rife Prac-
tlce. Washington. ID. C.-Sir: Your
letter OF July 13. transmitted TO me
July 10 by Adjt. Gen. w. w. Moore.
say that / cannot concur with the
Adjutant General OF my State In ap-
proving your bill.
|. In the first place. 1 do not believe
this country Is IN danger of any Sc
rious war. now or hereafter. as
think arbitration is more humane
than war. and that by peace confer
ences differences between countries
Will be settled without bloodshed.
I do not believe In educating every
/, boy that he has TO shoot somebody.
They have enough OF that in them
already. Furthermore. our State has
not the money 70 make the appro-
priation necessary 10 carry out this
bill.
However. my most serious obiec-
r ton 10 your hill IL that am un-
tlterably opposed to arming negro
sshool children with rifles and am
munition. Our State has had
enough trouble with Federal bayonets
I'm the hands OF negroes and their al
lies. IL was only few years ago
hat our Adjutant General disbanded
all the negro companies Of the State
militia. for which he had my most
hearty approval
The white schools OF our State.
under the provisions OF your bill. re-
qulring forty or more students. II
years of age or over. would I've at
"a disadvantage. because In the white
schools there are sometimes not as
many as forty students, and they
generally cease To go TO school about
tho age of 1s. while In the negro
schools there are nearly always
forty and they range in age from 5
20 80. Consequently. In my opinion.
the bill you propose would be dis
advantageous 20 the people OF my
State. Therefore. 1 cannot recon-
mend the passage OF such a bill, and
II passed would be compelled TO veto
II. Very respectfully
Cole l.. Blease. Governor.
Columbia. July 20.
Secretary divers letter was as fol-
lows:
The Governor. State OF South Car
olina-Dear Sir: / have the honor
TO inform you that the department
desires Co encourage the organization.
drill and target practice Of high
school cadet companies throughout
the country. Herewith is a draft Of
bin. which. like one recently pass
ed I'm one of the states. shows one
way of providing for military in
struction In such schools. which. IL
Is believed. would bc of grcnt value
To the country. 20 the National Guard
and 90 the students concerned Very
respectfully. Robert Shaw oliver.
Acting Secretary of War Prcsid,u'
Of Board Of Promotion Of T,tr.