The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-02-15
Garrison Quits Office;
Wilson To Take Charge

both houses of congress unite on a
bill embodying that amendment. He
said ne must withhold judgment un-
til congressional action.
Critical Juncture.
On January u Secretary Garrison
wrote the president, eve are facing a
critical juncture with respect to the
military part Of the national defense
program" ard declared he felt that
unless the situation is dealt with
promptly and effectively we can in
dulge in no reasonable expectation
of any acceptable result He insist
ed that there would be no substantial
solution which did not result in ma
tional force under the exclusive con-
troll and authority of the national gov
ernment.
This is distinct line Cleavage, Mr..
Garrison held, between reliance upon
a system Of State troops and reliance
upon national forces. Upon this sub
ject." ne said in his letter to the
president, there does not exist and
there can not legitimately exist, any
difference of opinion among those who
are unbiased and who believe in real
national security and defense"
He declared that of policy based
upon the reliance on State troops was
adopted mot only had no advance
been made from the deplorable and
inexcusable situation in which we
have so long been, but an effective
block had been placed across the
pathway towards a proper settle
ment.''
The secretary severely criticised
the National Guard plans of Chairman
Hay of the house committee on mil
itary affairs.
In my judgment the effect of the
enactment of Mr.. Hays program
would be to set back the whole cause
of legitimate, honest national defense
in an unjustifable and inexcusable
way. 1t would be in my judgment a
betrayal of trust of the people in
this regard. 1t would be illusory and
apparent without any reality or sub
stance.
Two Bad Factors.
There is, unfortunately, very little
knowledge and very little intense per-
sonal interest in any of the members
of the mouse concerning military af-
fairs
Mr.. Garrison declared further that
Mr.. Hay had the power of dealing
with a subject concerning which "the
rest of the house has no knowledge
and about which it mas never concern
ed ITSELF and suggested that Mr..
Hays proposal of settling this matter
by aoting money to the members of
State troops appealed to "the direct
personal, political interest OF the
members
Mr.. Hays proposal to include a
draft provision so that at the outbreak
of war the National Guard could be
brought under control of the national
government was characterized by lMr.
Garrison as utterly failing to meet the
essential objections to the perpetua-
ton of militia system. He insisted
the difficulty did not airse out Of the
government not being able to take
over these troops, but out Of its in
ability, under the constitution, to pre-
serve the essentiol unity and control,
in officers, training and governing of
it's military forces"
After an interview between the
president and Mr.. Garrison on the
army plans the secretary again wrote
The president, specifically stating his
position. The president Informed him
that Mr. Hay had told him a federal
volunteer system could not be obtain
ed and that the same end could be
achieved by utilizing the State troops
and making appropriation to pay the
States on condition that the federal
government control the militia.