Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-06-27
MILITARY MIxUP.

Correspondence That Gives the Details
In the Matter.
News and Courier.
Columbia, June "a: Taking umbrage
at the attitude of Governor Blease. the
United States war department has
withdrawn all Federal aid from the or
ganized militia Of South Carolina and
plans for encamping the three regi-
ments this summer may have to be
abandoned. Funds for this purpose
come out Of the allotment Of Federal
aid to this state, amounting to about
$75, 900 yearly, and the taking away of
this money leaves nothing for the pay
ment Of the encampment expenses.
Secretary Of War Lindley M. Garri-
son notified Governor Blease by letter
of the withdrawal Of Federal funds
from the South Carolina militia, and
Brig. Gen. Mills telegraphed the same
information to Adjt. General Moore
saying this action was taken because
of the attitude Of the governor Of your
state toward enforcement Of Federal
militia law"
This announcement Is very pleasant
to me-" replied Governor Blease to
Secretary Garrison. Il fought the Dick
law when ! was in the senate and
nothing gives me more pleasure than
to see South Carolina relieved Of its
iniquitous provisions" In a dictated
interview he said the legislature would
probably repeal the Dick law and he
will sing "Hallelujah, praise the Lord!
South Carolina Is once again free from
the domination Of Yankee uniforms
and once more in control Of her own
state militia"
Adjt. General Moore refused to make
any comment on the matter.
The following Is a copy Of the tele-
gram from Gen. Mills to Adjt. General
Moore:
Washington, D. c., June %, 1913.
"Adjutant General, South Carolina,
Columbia, s. c.: In accordance with
action Of war department this date,
taken In consequence Of attitude OF
governor Of your state toward enforce
ment Of Federal militia law, as ex-
pressed In his letters Of May and q
to you, and Of June II to secretary of
war, no further Federal assistance,
either in personnel or equipment, will
be afforded the organized militia of
your state. nor will further expenditure
Of Federal funds In hands Of disburs-
ing officer be authorized by secretary of
war except to cover such obligations as
may have been already incurred and
approved by secretary Of war. Requi-
sition for property now in hand In mi
litia division Is disapproved and no
further requisition will be honored.
This information Is telegraphed to you
in connection with plans for encamp-
ment of South Carolina organized mill
tia this summer In order that you may
be guided by such telegram and act ac-
cordingly. Disbursing officer has been
informed Of action by war department.
mills,
"Chief Division Militia Affairs"
Governor BIease's Comment.
Governor Blease was handed a copy
of the Mills telegram and asked what
he thought about 1t. The governor re-
piled:
"This is what I have been wanting
for some time. I fought the Dick law
unwise in adopting 1t, and I believe the
wisdom Of my fight against 1t has been
shown. The law Is an Internal mess,
and I have been making continuous
fight since its adoption here to get 1t
off my state. believe this will GER
tainly open the eyes Of the Legislature
and that at their next session they will
repeal the Dick law, When that shall
have been done, will have won a
struggle I have been making for seve-
raj years, and truly I shall sing, Hal
lelujah, praise the Lord; South Caro-
lima Is once again free from the domi-
nation Of Yankee uniforms, and once
more in control Of her own state mill
tia
"As to the matter Of the encamp-
hot 10
affect them or not, but II 1t does am
satisfied the young militiamen Of South
Carolina would rather not have an en-
campment than to be bossed by Yam
KEGS in their own state organization"
The following letter was written Sec
retary Of War Garrison by the gov
ernor:
Columbia, s. c., June "a, 1918.
Hon. Lindley M. Garrison, Secretary
Of War, Washington, D. C.-Dear Sir:
I am in receipt Of your letter Of June
23, in which you state:
After careful consideration Of your
communication Cetter Of June 11) I am
forced to the conclusion that you leave
the war department no other course to
pursue than to withdraw all Federal
assistance to the organized militia of
South Carolina, and 1t is with great
regret that I have to inform you that
such action will be Immediately taken.
This announcement Is very pleasant
to me- fought this Dick bill when l
was in the senate and l have seen the
wisdom Of my opposition since, and
nothing gives me more pleasure than
to see South Carolina relieved from It's
iniquitous provisions.
Thanking you on behalf Of myself,
l am,
Very respectfully,
cole L. Blease, Governor"