The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1915-01-15
BLEASE DISBANDS
MILITIA OF STATE
Governor Says Difference
Between Secretaries of
War and Navy and Ad-
jutant Moore and Him
self Prompted Him to
Take This Step.

The organized militia of South Car
olina was disbanded by an order sign
ed at 2 O'clock today by Governor
B!ease
Governor Blease explained this &C
tion in the order, stating that the aris-
ing of differences between the secre-
tary of war and the secretary of the
navy and Adjutant General Moore, on
one side, and himself on the other,
prompted him to take this step. These
differences said the chief executive,
resulted in serious breaches of disci-
pline in the militia corps.
"The present governor of the State
of South Carolina is of the opinion
that it would be unfair and unjust on
his part to turn over to his successor
in Office the militia of South Carolina
in it's present condition." the order
read.
Governor Blease expressed the
opinion in the order, that South
Carolina had made a mistake in be-
coming a part of the National Guard
under what is commonly known as the
Dick law.
About 5000 men are effected by
this order, who are organized into 8
militia regiments, four divisions of
coast artillery and various hospital
and sanitary corps.
The militia was commanded by Ad-
jutant General w. w. Moore, of Barn
we'll, whose official position is not af-
fected by the executive order. Gov
ernor Blease, however, was command
en-in-chief ex-officio, of the militia,
the three militia regiments were
commanded by officers with the rank
of colonel. General Willie Jones, of
Columbia, was brigadier-general of
the South Carolina corps. Headquar-
ters of the first infantry regiment
ware at Ynrkvil'e. of the second req
iment at Columbia, and of the third
at Charleston.
Coast artillery corps divisions were
located at Charleston, Sullivan's Is
land. Beaufort and Georgetown, and
each had approximate strength of
60 men and officers.
The three infantry regiments had
enlisted strength of about $50 men
each, commanded each by about so
officers.
Friction which Governor Blease re-
ferred to in his order disbandng the
militia corps aose about two years
ago, and, according to reports of the
adjutant general, resulted in a mark
ed decrease in discipline of the troops.
The cause Of this controversy be-
tween Governor Blease and Adjutant
GeneraA Moore was said to have been
the result of the refusal of the gov
ernor to sign certain orders and Of
ficial papers presented him by the
adjutant general
The secretary of war and the sec
retary of the navy became parties to
this controversy, according to Off
cial statements, when the matter of
accounting for about 100000 worth
of federal property these federal de-
tments claimed had been lost and
destroyed by the militia organiza-
tions was held up. An accounting of
this property was begun about year
ago and was a few weeks ago COM
pleted, and the completed reports
were said today to be prepared for
the signature of Governor Blease.
Tensity of the situation between
the adjutant generals Office and the
offices of secretary of war and sec
retary of navy, on one side, and of
Governor Blease, on the other, was
greatly increased last summer when
the governor refused to permit the
militia troops to participate in the an
nual encampment, ordered by the
chief of the division of militia affairs,
at Governors Island, New York. This
action of Governor Blease, according
to statements from the adjutant gen
erals office resulted in appropriations
by congress aggregating about $55.-
600 for maintenance and equipment
of the South Carolina militia being
held up by the war department pend
ing settlement of these differences.
While this controversy involving
State and federal military officers was
at its height last summer, the war
department ordered the disbanding of
several companies of militia, which
were declared, following annual in
spections, to be inefficient. Though
definite information could not be OBJ
tained today, it was understood that
these companies were never disband-
ed, through, it was said. refusal of
Governor Blease to sign the disband-
ing order.
Adiutant General Moore. in his re-
port to the general assembly conven
ing here tomorrow, stated that the
militia corps of this State, with few
exceptions were inefficient, and in a
number of Instances almost demoral-
lied. This inefficiency was noticeable
In all departments and in all branches