The courier-index., 1917-10-19


 With 25.O00 of the men of Arkan- sas in the military service, which there will be by next spring, the vacant places left by them will be noticeable everywhere. And while the laborers are decreased in number the demand for the products of labor are approximately increased. It means that those who remain at home must do more and make more sacrifices, and eliminate the drones. And the people of Arkansas are ready for the test. Their loyalty is proven and demonstrable in the things they are doing.
 The people of Arkansas have shirk- ed no duty in carrying out the cam paigns for the Red Cross, the Liberty Loans, the Food Conservation, the Library Council, the War Work Y. Nj c. A. Council, and the many other activities brought upon the country by the war. More demands are to be made upon people who have all ready been liberal, but they will not shirk.
 There will be some members of the Constitutional Convention who will insist upon making a relatively few changes in the constitution. rather than completely rewriting it, as the most desirable thing to be done at this time. The newspapers of the state are taking up the dis cussion of the convention, and the attendant politics in connection with it, the public interest will be aroused by the time the convention meets on November 19. There are two big questions to be determined:
 Shall the convention be deferred until next year, so that the finished instrument may be submitted within 90 days of the November election, and
 Shall the old constitution be patch ed up or shall the organic law be wholly rewritten.
 There will be strong advocates on both sides of each question.
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 With the military units out of the state, fighting in France or training in camps, the attention of the people Of Arkansas who are interested in the maintenance of law and order will be turned toward the organiza- tion Of some other effective means of defense at home. The need might never arise, and again the emergency might come upon us at any moment
 To meet this requirement., a plan has been devised for an effective organization of the Home Guard, in which the men of the whole state who are not eligible to military duty may be enlisted
 Gov. Brough has authorized the organization under the military laws of sne state. and regulations have been devised by Adjt-Gen. Lloyd England which will place them upon recognized status of authority and power.
 Men are eligible for the home guard who are citizens of good moral character and physically fit. between the ages of Is and 34. who may volunteer for such service There are to be two classes. Class will consist of citizens enrolled between the ages of IS and 45. and class between the ages of Is and IS and 45 and 64 The written con sent of parents or guardians will Dc required for the enrolment of minors
 home guard company shall con- sist of one captain, one first leuten- ant, one second lieutenant, one first sergeant. one mess sergeant. one supply sergeant, four sergeants, six corporals one mechanic, two cooks. two buglers, and not less than 36 privates.
 The members of the guard are required to take the following oath. which. it will be observed. does not bind them to service outside the state of Arkansas:
 T do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America and the State of Arkansas. that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies whomsoever, and that I will obey the orders of the Governor of the State of Arkansas and the officers appointed over me and faithfully perform all duties as a soldier in the home guard. ac- cording to the laws and regulations governing such military forces of the State of Arkansas"
 The/War Department has ordered that the home guard must not wear uniform that can be mistaken for that of any regulation uniform of the regular branches of the service A person wearing regular uniform without authority is subject to prose cution. The government cannot furn- ish arms to the home guard com Danies, but it is recommended that they arm themselves with shotguns and provide such uniforms as they may desire. 1t is provided that the uniforms shall be of field gray color which is about the color of slate. The regulations provide in detail for every feature of the uniform and equipment, and will be furnished all companies that have been or may be organized
 Each member of the guard must submit to a "cursory' examination by a physician who should certify that he is physically fit to perform his duties as a member of the home guard"
 Blanks are also provided for a complete service record of each member. showing the hours of drill.