The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-05
STAFF OFFICERS
MAY WALK PLANK
New Bill Framed to Wipe Out
rs Colonies Who Guard
the Governor.
WANT PRACTICAL SCHEME
Glittering Uniforms Have No
Standing in Law, and Are
Regarded as Useless.
WANT PRACTICAL scREh

Dealers in second hand uniforms
will please come forward and deposit
their bids with the secretary Of the
meeting for those who speak the
language of the tribe got word last
night that bill will be sent this week
to tho General Assembly which will
forever abolish the Governors staff
twenty-five full-sizcd colonels, In the
ilowcr of manhood will walk the
plank, and that everlasting crop which
blooms every four years will bloom
no more. There was once an Austrian
field marshal who went TO the front
with forty cooks and one stan officer.
To-day there Is President who
travels about the United States with
one military aide--Maior Archibald w.
Butt. In days gone by the Governor
of Virginia has Travelled over his baili-
Wick shy many colonies. for 1t Is
written in the book that all of the
twenty-five never forked over $500
each for the paraphernalia They bor-
rowed from those who remained at
nome, and those not properly CARRIED
! remained at home for lack Of goods.
Has No Standing In Inv.
But let it be understood that this
Dill WAS not created In an idle. vicious
mind which harbors i'll feeling against
the distinguished men who have gal
lanty ridden with Governor Mann
and who have guarded him as friends
dropped in for a sip of tea. Not one
of the number was suddenly paralyzed
with fear when the telegraph wires.
reaching out from Philadelphia,
hummcd with the burning words of
Governor who offered to lead u regi-
\ mi rNt q 70 tive -l.
colonel-with n uniform-would have
struggled for the front position, their
dazzling uniforms target for Russian
bullets Happily, however, there is
peace.
The Governors staff-whcn 1t comes
down to brass tacks-has no standing
In Virginia law. There is no pro-
vision under which carfare can be paid
from the Capitol to Swansboro. Each
colonel must furnish his uniform and
pay his freight Words of burning
shame have been hcaped upon n Com
monwcalth which would turn out
twenty-five colonies every four years
and then fail TO feed or clothe them.
There is little reward and little honor
Right here at the seat OF government
the glory OF the stan Is never rightly
priced. When William Hodges. the
actor. stood on the Academy stage "a
week ago, as Ecndarmcs who were
trailing him sneakcd away, and re-
marked, There goes the Governors
stan" mighty shout went up, but
not at the expense OF the men who
have served with such distinction on
the staff OF Governor William Hodges
Mann. There would be no end OF
merrimcnt II President Taft was ac
companicd in his travels by twenty
five Archibald W. Butts. And there
Is no record to show that all Of the
colonies ever went to the front with
q Virginia Governor in time OF peace
and hops.
New Bill Is Practical.
In the place of this nowery assort-
ment of titled men. the new bill pro-
vidcs something moro practical 1t
stipulates that the Adjutant-General,
the same being General Sale, and the
Assistant InspcctorGcncral. tho same
being Colonel Stern. Shall be eX-oflicio
members OF the Governors staff.
Then. too. future Governors may APP
| point Il military secretary, or aide, who
Will have the rank of major, and who
| is TO accompany the executive on all
| official visits. his expenses 10 be paid
out of the contingent fun. This plan
| is in accord with modern methods Of
| civilization. When circumstances re-
puire a larger staff, ten officers OF the
active militia may be detailed with
l Oul DeiHS PHiu anu "iNHou' Dtiho
| relieved OF other duty. Failure
to serve may warrant the
shooting OF each offender at sunrise.
Seriously, the effect OF the bill is 70
wipe out useless titles and 10 provide
Il really efficient military stan. 1t
will relieve the incoming Governor Of
considerable embarrassment 1t Will
/ not make IL necessary for him to carry
delight to twenty-five title-seeking
citizens and at the same time offend
| / 0, 900 who want to belong. The fact
that the measure Will come up at this
session is in no wise intended as ii
reflection upon the STAFF now serving.
Being the last. should the bill pass,
II is planned to erect II suitable tablet
10 the last of the military Mohicans.
| and 1t will stand there for all time
as a tribute to the five and twenty
who never fultcred in the face or
danger.
Titles Empty Nowadays.
Everybody agrees that there arc too
many titles. The man who serves as
an election official goes through life
as Judge. Not long ago. when Rioh-
nond man stepped into Louisville
saloon and looked about on thirty
thirsty souls. he casually remarked.
Colonel, have drink" and thirty
Kentuckians lurched heavily and hap
PLY against the bar. The fame of
Georgia as n producer of colonies is
worldwide. its crop being second to
it's cotton. y few sharp blows have
been directed toward Virginia. but,
being more progressive. tho Legisla-
Is