The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-11-26
ASK MORE FUNDS FOR MILITIA.
PETITION LEGISLATURE FOR AP.
Preparation OF $4,000.
Issued Requesting That Adj
jutant Generals Office BE Filled by
AppOintment-Plca for Changes.

tematic and concerted campaign by
the militia of this State has been is
sued from the headquarters of the
National Guard Association OF South
Carolina, in which all militiamen are
urged to advocate the permanent in
crease Of the appropriation for the
maintenance Of the militia to $4,000.
This State is giving $4,000 yearly to
the militia, and when this amount is
divided by the number of organiza-
tions it allows about 1925 each.
The State association also asks that
the adjutant generals office be filled
by appointment.
Yesterday A. E. Legare, secretary
of the National Guard Association Of
South Carolina, issued the following
statement:
THE main argument presented by
the militia to support the ir crease is
that: Allowing a general average Of
| armory rents alone of $40 per month,
the appropriation will be more than
consumed by this item, and there will
| be no funds available for other neces-
sary expenses that are incidental of
income and get along fairly we'll from
financial standpoint, but the aver
age citizen is ignorant of the uphill
proposition Of the company COM
mander to keep his organization re-
cruited to the strength required by
law as no special privileges are at
tached to membership in the militia;
and the services to be rendered after
enlistment are severely stringent. SO
in order to procure and keep the
proper enrolment it is necessary 20
offer some inducements in addition to
patriotism, and this costs.
ION the other hand, the arguments
presented for the maintaining of the
present strength Of the militia, viz,
three regiments, is that: About one
third of the counties have no militia
organizations. and if the appropriation
is not increased it will be necessary
to eliminate one Of the regiments G2
companies), and this will leave the
State in a far worse condition If the
militia is needed, and it is not neces-
sary to present any specific occasions
when such call would be made.
Comparisons are invidious,' but it
is we'll to consider the fact that this
State is next to foot in the amount
Of its support of it's militia, and the
average difference is about $4,000,
other States, such as Georgia, Ten
nessee. Alabama. North Carolina, etc.,
providing in general an amount of
about $50. 900 each.
Another measure that will be ad-
vocated before the general assembly
at the coming session will be the
changing Of the laws regarding the
selection Of the adjutant general
South Carolina is one of the two States
Of the Union that has it's adjutant
general elected by the people at large
(FlOrida being the other), and it is
generally known that the average
voter has absolutely no interest in,
and no knowledge Of his duties as a
State official. His duties are solely
and entirely devoted to the interest of
the militia Cor should be- and does
not in any way affect the general po-
litical policies Of any part or faction
and the militia maintain that such be-
ing the case that they should have a
strong say So as to who is going to
outline and administer it's affairs.
ITO the above end they are going
to request the legislature to approve
in the comping campaign the request
that the militia be allowed to select
the man that will represent them.
and only them, by change in the
laws to the effect: That the adju-
tant general shall be appointed by the
governor upon the recommendation
Of q majority Of the line officers of the
National Guard. (The meaning of
line officers being those who have won
their offices by virtue OF services rem
dered and not by appointment)
I'm the past. in all the States, the
adjutant general was elected by pop
ular vote, but all except South Caro-
lima and Florida have realized the
faults Of this system and have changed
it in accordance with the above meas
ure."
| r. c. vOnTresckow, president of the
National Guard association, has ad-
dressed the following letter to the
members:
Among the measures relating to
the militia that will be presented to
the legislature during the coming ses-