The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1914-01-16

military companies in this State II
the young men, when they enlisted
thought for moment that they were
going to have to endure the hardships
of regular army life. AS for me
and l have seen some Of tie army life
j would rather be in any other work
on earth than a private in the United
States army.
1t is all right for the officers, who
can live high, and drink good liquors,
and frolic, and have a good time gen
orally, but the poor devil of private
soon learns his lesson of regret.
Now, gentlemen, this matter has
been called to your attention. What
advise you to do is this: Make a
sufficient appropriation to keep up a
sufficient number OF militar ycompan-
les in this State to protect our citiz-
enship when the necessity arises, and
furnish them with the proper arms
and proper equipment, regardless of
any appropriation which you are to
receive from the National government,
so as to be Independent and free and
ready at all times and under all cir
cumstances to take care of yourselves.
Then if tee United States government
wishes to withdraw her aid, let her
withdraw it, and we VIII be in posi-
lion to take care of ourselves, regard
less OF her help-and any State that
doesn't do this is neglecting her duty
and some day will find herself hope
Iessly helpless in her own defense.
The volunteer militia, when it is
needed, is greatly needed; it is very
important part of our government,
just as the fremen are, and they
hould be encouraged by such aid and
assistance as are essential TO giving
.hent that to which they are entitled.
AS for myself, l have never been un-
easy as to protection for our people.
If the United States government had
withdrawn every dollar of the South
Carolina appropriation, and aad call
II in every gun and every ounce Of
,rnlaunition furnished us, it would
| not have disturbed me In the least |
would simply have borrowed enough
money and equipped one good mill
.ary company in each section Of the
| State where l thought it was neces-
cary, furnished these compar les with
he proper arms and general equip
nent, and presented the bill to you
l,for payment, and / know that there
isn't a man in the hall Of the house
or senate, however much he may be
opposed to me, but would have had
! .he patriotism sufficient to have said,
1--WE pay this bill Besides this, If
/ the necessity had arisen, or if it
should yet arise, for the protection OF
our people, l know that l can sit in
/ the governors Office and send few
kilograms and have more people COM
ing to Columbia, ready for any emer-
gepcy, than the railroad companies
could furnish trains to hail. There
fore, as I say, I was never uneasy in
regard to Mr.. Garrison's little threat,
or the howl of the newspapers that
Blease was going to ruin the State.
am delighted at the result We
have saved eight Of the original COM
panies. Five it was absolutely nee
essary to muster out, but this course
| was not pursued by me until after l
had called conference Of military of
E'fcers, as is set out in the correspond
ence hereto attached and made a part
/ o. this message, at which conference
were present the brigad;er general,
the three colonels and tAe assistant
adiutant general. Representatives ap-
peared before the conference from
the Conway company and requested
that the old company be mustered out,
stating that they were ready with the
requisite number Of men to have
reorganization Immediately and to be
mustered back into service and retain
their position, which has been done.
TIE Bennettsville company was repre-
sented by its captain, and made sim
liar request, with the same result.
Chesterfield, [ regret to say, was de-
clared hopeless, and was mustered
cut, and new company was immed-
lately mustered in at Cheraw, within
10 miles of Chesterfield, taking Ches-
terfeld's place. Bamberg had no Off
Ger or other person present to repre-
sent her, and from information re-
ceived was in a hopeless condition,