The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-04-21
OPPOSE GOVERNORS ORDER
OFFICERS OF MILITIA DIssATIs.
FLED WITH REORGANIZA-
TON.
Legarc OF Second Regiment VIII not
oc n Candidate, Leaving I'll. Ii.
Springs ms Only Onicer Seeking
Coloneicy Of Second Regiment.

Columbia, April 16.--Col. A. z. Le-
sare OF Columbia said yesterday that
ne would not be n candidate for col
onel OF the Second regiment I'm the
elections ordered to be held Saturday.
His withdrawal leaves I'm the field but
N candidate. Lieut.. Col. Holmes s.
Springs OF Georgetown. The recent
orders OF the governor contemplate
the disarmament OF the militia es-
adjustment. in which Col. Legare
commanded the Second regiment and
Col. w. w. Lewis OF Yorkville the
First regiment. and a reorganization
upon a two-regiment basis.
Col. Lewis and other officers have
ance then discussed with the gov
n the questions Of law involved
n the governor has their protests
under Amusement.
Onicers involved refuse. because of
military etiquette. to comment pub
hcly IN the order of the governor,
who as commander-in-chie Is their
superior In the service. 1t Is said,
however. that some or them hold that
the contemplated reorganization is
without authority In law.
The governors order. II is said, We
evidently issued under the provisions
- section ~ OF the code. which pro-
vides that the military organization
OF the National Guard shall consti-
tute a brigade. but the governor shall
have power to alter. divide. annex.
consolidate. disband or reorsanixe the
same (that i. the brigade) and Gre
ate new organizations. whenever In
his Judgment the efficiency or the
State forces will be thereby increased
and 10 on. This provision. however.
does not Justify. In tho opinion OF
some officers. the disbandment order
lately made. They say that the law
distinctly states that the National
Guard shall constitute a brigade and
the order. In undertaking to dlsband
the brigade and simply retain two
regiments. violates this section of the
code.
Section So provides that the Ma.
uonal Guard shall consist OF the
commander-in- chief and his staff. one
brigadier general and his staff. etc.
The order contemplates abolishing the
once OF brigadier general and his
star. In addition. II Is pointed out.
section ia OF the code provides that
there shall be In the State a National
Guard council. consisting of the
brigade commander. who shall be
president OF the council. etc.
Section Sc OF the code says that a
commissioned officer shall not be re-
moved from ONCE without his consent
except BY the senate upon the rec
omendation OF the governor. or the
sentence OF a general courtmartial.
Section SEA says that any officer of
the National Guard who has served
continuously for ten years may. upon
his wi request. be placed on the re-
tired list.
Those who oppose the governors
order say Il undertakes to remove Of
hcers without their consent and with
out action by the senate on the rec
o~mmendation OF the governor. as well
as to remove officers who have not
been sentenced by general court
martial.
Opponents say also that the order
provides for elections April II to hll
h positions OF regimental and bat
talon commanders and lieutenant
colonies, whereas section SO Of the
code says that after the elections of
1906 no further elections shall be or
dered. unless for the purpose OF fill
Inc an existing vacancy. except upon
petition stating good and sufficient
grounds. signed by q majority OF
those qualified to vote at the election.
No such petition has been presented.
directors say. and consequently the
election a not be held on that
ground.
It In argued. too. hat the governor
is not authorized to issue such or
ders. Section IS OF the code pro-
vidcs that elections for colonies and
lieutenant c~olonels shall be ordered
by the brigade commander and those
for the officers OF their respective
regiments shall be issued by the colo
nels.
A. TO the placing of officers on the
unassigned list. II Is ~contended that
no such list exists In South Carolina.
-D .- , 49,,