The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1913-07-01
OFFICERS AGREE WITH BLEASE.
Officers Think South Carolina Ill
Treated by Having Federal Aid
Withdrawn.

Columbia, June 2S.-Following a
conference held here this morning
between Gen. Willie Jones and the
officers of the three
South Carolina regiments, relative to
the situation created as result Of the
war department Withdrawing all sup
port from the State militia, the officers
issued a statement addressed to Gov
ernor Blease, in which they take sides
with the governor in the controversy
The officers held conference with
Governor Blease TIT afternoon and
following the meetlA- was an
nounced that Gen. Jones and Col.
julius E. -Cogswell would go to Wash
ington in regard to the military situa-
ton. Governor Blease at the request
of the officers mailed copies of their
to the South Carolina
congressman in Washington. The Of
fcers' statement follows:
Officers Statement.
"Wilie Jones, brigadier general,
commanding the brigade of the Ma
tional Guard of South Carolina; Will
liam W. Lewis, Charles T. Lipscomb,
julius E. Cogswell, colonels, COM
manding, respectively, the three re-
giments of the brigade, do hereby ex-
press our views with regard to the
present situation concerning the ac-
ton of the war department and mat
ters leading up to the said action:
First. There are thirty-five COM
panies composing the three regiments,
and four other companies, comprising
the entire National Guard of the State.
Of these companies twenty-seven have
complied in every, respect with their
obIigations as volunteer companies.
They have met all the requirements
of efficiency and of attendance with
their necessary quota of inspections
and every other requisite demanded by
the Military code of the State and OF
the war department. These companies
have done so at great personal lncon-
yenience, and out of loyal spirit OF
performing their duty as. citizen SOL
diers. The action, therefore, of the
war department in withdrawing the
national appropriation and the neces-
sary support of the war department,
at to these companies, we respectfully
submit, is unfair and unjust, and we
think illegal, and we must believe,
made under a misapprehension or
without full and fair consideration
of the rights of these companies and
what was due to them.
Second. There are eleven COM
panies, constituting part OF the Ma
tional Guard of the State, which are
reported to have failed to meet the re-
ouirements of the military code as to
at inspection and matters
of this kind. We do not understand
that these companies are chargeable
with ineficiency in the field, not lack
ing in soldierly elements, but 1t is
because, from the circumstances
which have surrounded them, they
have been unable to attend the in
in sufficient numbers ana
otherwise comply with the technical
requirements of the code. Their
LOYALTY and obedience to the COM
mands of the superior officers, upon
occasions of emergency which have
arisen or might arise, is lot question
ed.
In this connection attention is in
vited to reports of Capt. George h.
inspector instructor for
1912. Their willingness to respond
to duty when called into the service
of the National government or in the
national defence is not questioned.
These companies, as is we'll known
IN the State and throughout the coun-
try, are composed of young men who
are engaged in active pursuits for a
livelihood. Their business duties at
times are such that they cannot at
lend drills and inspections, even II
hey we're given the ample opportunity
If knowing when the inspections were
10 be held and the opportunity OF
liking these inspections at such times
IS they might be able to attend. We
are, therefore, of the opinion, with |
great Difference to the war department
hat these companies have not been