Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1915-01-20
STATE MILITIA DIsBANDED.
Governor BleaSe Issues Order-Fede-
raj Authorities Anticipate Reorg.

Columbia, Jan. 11.--The organized
militia of South Carolina was dis
banded by an order signed at 2
O'Clock to-day by Governor Blease.
This order is effective Immediately.
Approximately 5000 men are in
volved, including about 600 whom
the Governor had refused to muster
out of service upon orders received
about eight months ago from the
chief Of the division Of militia affairs
at Governors Island, New York.
Governor Blease explained his; ac-
tion in the order, stating that the ex-
istence Of differences between the
Secretary of War and the Secretary
OF the Navy and Adjt. Gen. 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 discipline in the militia
corps.
The persent Governor of the State
of South Carolina Is of the opinion
that it would be unfair and unjust on
MS part to turn over to his successor
in Office the militia Of South Carolina
in its present condition." the order
read.
me militia was commanded by
Adjt. Gen. w. w. Moore. of 3arn-
well, whose official position is NOT ar-
fected by the executive order, Gov
ernor Blease, however, was COM
mander-in~chief, cX-oficio, of tho
militia. The three militia comma
nies were commanded by officers with
the rank Of colonel. Gen. Willie
Jones, Of Columbia, was brigadier
general of the South Carolina CORPS.
Headquarters of the First Infantry
Regiment were at Yorkvilc; Of the
Second Regiment at Columbia, and
OF the Third at Charleston. Coast
artillery corps were located at Char
lesion, Sullivan's Island, Beaufort
and Georgetown, and each had an
approXimated strength Of GO men and
officers.
The three infantry regiments had
enlisted strength of about $50 men
each, commanded each by about so
officers, totalling 2,2OO, including
auxiliary corps.
Friction which Governor Blease re-
ferred to in his order disbanding the
militia corps arose about two years
ago, and according to reports of the
AdJutant General, resulted in a
marked decrease in discipline Of the
troops.
The cause Of this controversy be-
tween Governor Blease and Adiutant
General Moore is said to have been
the result Of the refusal of the Gov
ernor to sign certain orders and Off
cial papers presented him by the Ad-
jutant General.
The Secretary of War and the Sec
retary of the Navy became parties to
this controversy, according to official
statements, when the matter of ac-
counting for about 100000 worth of
Federal property these official de-
partments claimed had been lost and
destroyed by the militia organiza-
tions was held up. An accounting of
this property was begun about a year
ago, and was a few weeks ago COM
ri
were said to-day to be prepared for
the signature of Governor Blease.
Tcnsity of the situation between
the Adjutant Generals office and
federal officials and OF Governor
Blease was greatly increased last
summer when the Governor refused
to permit the militia troops to par
tlcipate in the annual encampment
ordered by the chief Of the division
or militia affairs. This action of
Governor Blease, according to state
ments from the Adjutant Generals
ONCE, resulted in appropriations by
congress aggregating about $4,000
~ i''''hIShdlitS iHu equip nenJ or
the South Carolina militia being held
UP by the War Department pending
settlement OF these differences.
AdJt. Gen. Moore planned to-day
10 go to Washington early tomorrow
to confer with officials Of the War
Department regarding reorganization
OF Inc troops when Governor DleaSe
leaves office January 10Th.
No Comment at Washington.
Washington, Jan. 1.-Governor
BIease and the War Department have