The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1917, 1915-01-12
tBy Associated prcss.)

\ tby AsSOtiItcu Press)
| COLUMBIA, S. c., jan. 1.-Gover-
nor Blcase today disbanded the South
Carolina organized militiu. Thi-ty-
one companies, comprising approxi-
mately two thousand officers and men,
are affected. Disagreement between
the governor and militia and war de-
partment officials on the organization
and equipment of the trooDs was
given as the reason for the action.
Militia officers tonight began
movement to Hreycnt complete disor-
ganizntion. Te.c-rams were sent to
South Carolina ~. hers nf congress
at Washington regL. - that they
use their influence 10 'c- de-
partncpt delay asking IT, return OF
100000 woi.h OF :.r1Iles louned the
troops. ,..aSSsa
| Governor Blease will retire January.
10 and Governor Manning, his success
sor. will be asked to relnstate the SOL
diers. While Mr. Manning has not yet
Indicated what action lie Will take, It
was considered certain by militia off.
GERS that he would regcind the action
Of Governor, Blease.
Adjutant General Moore expects to-
leave for Washington tomorrow to
confer with war department officials
on the situation.
Governor Blease explained in his
order disbnndfng the troops that the
existence of differences between the
secretary of war and the secretary of
the navy and Adjniant General Moore,
Of South Carolina. on one side, and
himself on tho other, prompted him
\ to take this stepC, These differences,
he said, resulted In serious brea ches
Of discipline in the militia CORPS
THE present governor of the State
| OF South Carolina. is OF the opinion
that 1t would be unfair and unjust on
his Fart to turn over to his successor
In Office the militia of South Carolina
In It's present condition." tho order
read
Tic controversy between Governor
Blease and. Adjutant General Moore
was said 10 be the result of the COVER
nor's refusal to sign certain orders
and official papers presented to him
by the adjutant general.
! Tho secretary OF war md the sccrc-
tary OF the navy became parties to
this controversy. according tn official
statements, when the matter. OF ac-
counting for about 100000 worth Of
federal property these federal depart
ments claimed had been lost and de-
stroyed by the militia organizations
Was held M. An accounting OF this
/ property was begun about n year ago
! and recently was ComNletcd. and the
finished reDorts are said today TO be
ready for the signature of, Governor
Blease. ll,..
The situation became further COM
( Dlicated last summer when tic COVER
nor refused to permit the militia
troops to participate in tho annual en-
campment ordered, by the chief of the
division of militia affairs. This, action,
according to statements from the adj
jutant generals office. resulted in ap-
j.proprtatfons by congress aggrcgating
about $4,000 for .uaintenance and
equipment OF the South Carolina mil
f.ttia being held UP, by the. war depart
ment g ~
Included in the thr. e. regiments of
Infantry and auxiliary corps affected
by the order are 600 men whom the
governor mad refused to muster out
OF service upon orders received about
eight months ago from tho chief OF
tiie division OF United States militia
affnirS, ) .5,i.s ~; :. 80! !sgl,
Tho iiiilitia was commanded by Adj
)iufant General Moore, or BarnweiI,
whose official position Is not affected
by the order. GovernorI Bieaso; ilow-l
eye-. was commander-in-chiefs. -. ex-
pfiicio. Genera! Willie Jones ,ef Co
lumbia. was brigadier general OF the
South Carolina corps. Headquarters
|'of tile first infantry regiment were at
|yYorkyiiie: !: of tho recOnd regiment at