The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1913-07-01

that the governor, as cOmnanuel-4N-
chief of the National Guard of South
Carolina, acted in the best interests of
the militia of the State in refusing
peremptorily to muster out these
companies without giving them anoth-
ef opportunity to qualify. The dick
law is the law of our State and we
feel, as officers of the National Guard
that we should loyalty obey it until
it ceases to be the law, and that we
should perform our official duties and
promote the interests of the State
militia in a spirit of loyalty to. the
law. But we do not understand that
the action of the commander-ln-chlef
was at all Influenced by his own per-
sonal views as to the merits OF the
law. but that he was actuated and
prompted by an endeavor to act for
the best interests of the militia OF
the State and therefore declined to
carry into effect the peremptory sug-
gestion that these companies, with
out further opportunity to attempt to
comply with the law, be mustered out
Of service and thus sweep away one
third of our entire body OF National
Guards.
Considered an Injustice.
Fourth. AS we understand, the Ma
tional government has made all ap-
propriation of which the citizens of
the State of South Carolina, are COM
PEELED to contribute their part. We
do not understand with what sense
of Justice the money of the people OF
the State of South Carolina, which
they have contributed for this pur-
pose, can be so heavily withdrawn
frorn her citizen militia who have
in every respect complied with the
law, whatever may be the question as
to the other companies involved. AS
officers of the militia, who have de-
voted our time, at much sacrifice to
maintain and uphold the militia OF
our State, and to perform such duties
as are encumbent upon us, we think
that an earnest effort should be made
by our representatives in congress to
see that such injustice is not done.
Recommend More Time.
Fifth: We think, therefore, that
Gen. Jones, as brigade commander,
should present this paper to the gov
ernor and commanderin-chief of the
National Guard of South Carolina, and
ask that if it should meet with
his approval, he will forward a copy
of the same to our representatives. in
congress and urge them that tkey take
such steps as they may think proper
to see that the militia of the State
who have complied with the law are
not deprived of such support as the
National government is due them up
On their compliance, as they have
complied with the law and the mill
tia code; and further we urge, in be-
half of the companies which have not
strictly complied Herewith, that fur
ther time should be given them to at
tempt to do so, and that if they can
not and will not, by certain fixed
time, comply with all the require
ments, then to recommend to the gov
ernor and commander-in-chief that
they do be mustered out of service.
eve shall be very glad to confer
with the governor if it be his desire
to talk to us upon the subject, and
we also recommend in view of the sit
uation that has arisen, and in view
oc the fact hat the officials sent to
this State by the war department have
already been recalled, and that it will
be no reflection upon any personal ac-
ton of theirs that others may be sent
in their places.
For Best Interest of Service.
eve again reiterate that we feel that,
the action of the governor. in refus-
ing to disband the companies suggest
ed by the adjutant general, without
further attempt in their behalf to
have them comply with The law, was
proper and for the best interests OF
the National Guard service, and that
there, is no disposition whatever may
be our private opinion-and we be-
lieve it to be so with all OF the Of
icers from the cornmander-ln-chlet
to set at naught the
regulations prescribed in our military
oo5o o,d ura fool that we cannot, for