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MACON’SMEMORABLE
ELECTION CONTEST
•
Business Practically Suspended in Order That the
People Might Vote For or Against the
Sale of Liquor
LAKE CROWDS ABOUT THE POLLS
No Disorders of a Serious Character Anywhere
—The Ladies Out in Great Force and
Hard at Work for Prohibition.
Today th" people ot Bibb county will ]
'heide whether there shall be the sale o. <
liquor within Its limits.
Early during the summer the birds be- |
.mu to chirp that the prohibition’s! 3
.vere going to make -a determined effort
o drive whisky out of the county. -For
more than a year -the pulpits had been
. Locating a movement in. that direction.
Nothing in the way of an organized cam
paign was undertaken until the last days
October, the managers having deter
mined not to divert the attention from the I
• ■arnival celt bration. As ■soon, however,
.-■? the Jubilee was concluded the an
uouncement was made that an election
. ould be held December I'. It. came in
. - me mt asure as a, public surprise, for it
. not understood that the prohibition
i. ! - were so well prepared.
P \ great tent was thrown up in the rear
| e>J ‘Je Mulberry street church and for
( ’.i irly a month there- has been nroh’bi-
. on speaking marly every night, by such
-■ Il as Messrs. Dunont Guerry, N. E.
Harris, W.IJ. Hill, A. Turner -and the
he clergymen of the city and such out
do prohibition advocates as Rev. Sam
.It nes, Rev. .1. W. Lee. Rev. Sam Small,
\. Murphey and othtrs. Meantime the'
lumns of the‘local press have been
i-rowded wl-th arguments, appeals, pro
and all sort? of communications up
on one side or another.
The direction of the prsl iblticn cam
- >.ign, was entrusted to the anti-saloon
league. T'*e antis -speedily organiztd In
•heir own defense, and therefore, the fight
almost from the beginning has been one
of organization against organization.
It has beta the first experience of the
mr.-ty in a contest of this sort. As Macon
which is pne of the largest cities of the
<atc, comprlsts most of the population
of the. county, the ba-t-tle naturally cen
t< *td here. Considerable money has been
♦ ndtd by both earths to the eentro
vt r?y.
One of*t-he unique features ha: b-- n the
.-.tv; particit ation cf the women on the
prohibition side. Thousands of them have
be a unceasing in their energetic trio ins
to aid their cause.
Notw- Hunding f’*c earnest feeling
which .’-a; been developed it has been
atifying to note'that t here has bceen no
.; < rdr and not neatly so much bitterness
a La l been expected, though some of the
; u’.-lic dtiiverances have been very severe
• n ten • and matter. 'lt was. indeed, not
until tbe laei days cf the campaign that
the antis became fully aroused to activity,
.u they have been livly enough since.
'I he registration cf 5.800 showed th?
public interest.
-HOW TIJE DAY OPENED.
Trie county was astir when Manuel
it it ’s horn a’-ttounced the dAwn of day.
The aun rose cheerily and the air was just
■- ,tr‘ leg enough to set the blood tlowtng.
The skies remained cloudless.
The polls opened early and at the open
:.g there were many voters on each side.
Harrying to tend fro could be seen lary?
- tgons. hacks and vehicles of every de
s.- ipt-ion loaded with von rs of both sides.
The crowds began to grow in a few nio
’v.mtts after the polls were opened. There
, re fully one hundred voters on dach side
all of the polling places.
COURT HOUSE.
The sc< ae at the court* house was one
has n ver before been witnessed. The
yrohibitiopists got in the lead -hiicl held
all sway for over two hours. The police
men forixud the voters into column of
t -.os and in that manner they marched to
the I allot bex and deposited their votes,
la a few minutes after the voting began
: the court bouse there was a line cf
voters stretching from First street to the
yelling place. In the line the nrohibition
sts were in the majority and it looked -as
if they would keep possession of the lino
.ill during the day.
No one was allowed at the ballot win
dow except those who were given permis
sion to go there by the campaign commit
tee on each side. This was done to pre
vent crowding and eonfusAn at the win
dow. At -the window were men of each
>i<le who had the' registration lists and as
.. voter would com- up tliey would ask his
ame and make a search for it on the list.
If *it was not found he would be turned
down anel would not be allowed xo vote.
The voting at the court house was lively
and it is estimated that full 500 votes were
W cast before 12 o’clock. 1; took'a man over
* an hour to put in his ballot unless he was
pulled in the line by oome friend.
SECOND STREET.
'The polls at* the Second street precinct
opened al 7 o’clock. The voters were not
so crowded here as they were at the
court hous'd but it is here 'hat both .sides ■
put in good work. The line of voters ex- '
tended from the monument to the voting i
place, which was in the rear of the Macon |
Telegraph office.
Three policemen were stationed at this
place and the best of order prevailed. The
anti-men got the line here and kept it all
during the day. The voters were formed
in a column of twos just as they were at
ihe court house. Several scraps were
narrowly averted by voters being nulled
into the line, but the policemen soon
.-topped that practice by threatening to ar-»-
rest the next person caught.
The voting here was not so ’heavy as
that at the ’court house and it is estimated
that net over three hundred votes were
ca.-.t here at 12 o’clock.
CITY HALL.
A tremendous crowd was at the window
when tbe polls opened at the city hall and
it took several policemen to get things in
shape; the anti-men had full sway and the
anti ballots fell in the box like rain. The
.voters were made to form in line in the
same manner as they did at the court
house and the Seconel street precints. A
serious difficulty was -narrowly averted at
this precinct early in the morning. George
Burkett, who has been working in the in
terest cf the prohibitionists engaged in a
dispute wita Hugh Lawrence and drew a
pLtoi and attempted to shoot. He was
taken in charge by the policemen a-nd
locked up.
The anti men had several large band
wagons which were kept constantly on the
run and negroes were hauled io 'this pre
cinct by the hundred. (Several scraps took
place but they amounted to nothing. The
most prominent workers at this precinct
were Dr. White and 'Mr. W. G. Solomon
for the prohibitionists and Mr. Alex Block
and Mr. Waterman for the antis. The
number of votes cast up to 12 o’clock
amounted to about 400.
EAST MACON.
Very little interest has been taken in
the election at the East Macon precinct.
The polls were not crowded and there was
no trouble in voting. The voters were on
hand early and by 12 o’clock nearly all of
the votes had been cast. The prohibition
ists are claiming this precinct by a large
majority. About 300 votes have beeh cast.
FINDLAY’S FOUNDRY.
The scene at I- indlay’s foundry when the
1 'lls opened was a record breaker. Large
crowds of men were standing on.all sides
and when the managers announced that
(hey were ready to receive the ballots
(here was a rush for the window. The po
lice mt.i finally got them in line, however,
and there was no more crowding. The
parties were about even at this place and
i( was amusing to see one anti end one
prohibitionist standing side by side wait
ing to cast their ballots. There was no
excitement at this precinct during the
morning and the best of order was kept.
GODFREYS.
The amis are i nthe lead iji the Godfrey
district. It is claimed that there were three
antis voted to one prohibitionist. The
polls closed at. 3 o’clock, but the final
count had not been made at the -time The
Nt'ws goes to press. It is thought-that the
antis will carry this precinct bv a large
majority.
IN THE COUNTRY.
Nothing definite has been heard from 1
country precincts up to noon, but it is said
thav the prohibitionists are making a very
Drong stand and that :t is very likely that
they will win out in several’of the dis
tricts. The antis ar: confident, however,
and say thac the r.ports are false.
BUSINESS AT A STANDSTILL.
Very little attention has been paid to
business this morning. The merchants are
so excited over the election that many of
■them have closed their doors and are re
maining at the polis. Many of the busi
ness men were at the polls when they
opened a*d cast their ballots early.
Many of the offices had on their doors
a sign with these words, ‘'Closed on ac
count of the election.” Never before in
the history of .the city have the people
been eo excited over an election and it
looks as it the people have turned out in
a body io work for their side. The rewards
which were offered by the prohi-bitionis s
in regard to bribery seem -to have good
effect. There have been no reports of
bought votes so far and it is likely that if
any are bought that the matter will be
kept in the dark.
COLORS ON ALL SIDES.
Red and white can be seen on alt sides.
It is a well known fact that the colors ot
the probits are white and those of the antis
red. The appearance of som any people
on the streets wearing colors makes the
city look ah if a football game between
two prominent colleges were to be played
in the afternoon. A remarkable fact is
that many negroes are seen wearing the
white and that more negroes than were
expected have voted the -dry ticket. It is
estimated that fully 500 negro's have voted
for prohibition this morning.
Placards with all sorts of inscriptions
are seen on all sides and an amusing inci
dent of the election is the decorations of
some cf the anti wagons.
The prohibitionists have a man
cartoons representing the drunkard in hell.
The man is going from percinct to precinct
'showing the pictures. The hacks are do-
MACON NEWS THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER i 1898.
ing a thriving business and every availa
ble vehicje is being brought into us«.
Even the drays are being used to haul the
voters to the -polls.
LADLES ARE OUT.
. A large number of ladies have been on
the streets all during the day. They have
been at every precinct in the city and have
been singing songc in order to move some
of the anti men. They have not interfered
in any way with the voters nor have they
'blocked the way at the polls.
They deserve a great deal of credit for
th&ir work and the leading men on 'the
anti side said that they had never before
seen a body of ladies so earnest and that
they thought more of them for their work.
The ladies have also served lunches at
the Methodist churched. Their w*ork is no
doubt appreciated by the prohibitionists,
for they have endtfcvored to do their part
by the election.
While the ladies were at the city hall
and were singing ‘‘Nearer my God to
Thee,” a party of negroes were driven up
singing, “Hang John Brown to the Sour
Apple Tree.” The songs of the negroes
completely drowned the voice of the ladies,
but they were ordered to desist by the anti
side.
NO SOLDIERS IN THE CITY.
Very few soldiers have been seen in the
oity during tho day. Orders were iesued
yesterday to the commanding officers to
■keep the men in camp as much as possible
and as a result only a few soldiers have
been seen in the streets.
After tlie Noon Woin - .
The prohibition side which had the polls
earlier in the morning had about exhaust
ed itself by the noon hour at most of the
precincts notably in East Macon where
noon four hundred votes bad been
polled with perhaps two hundred and fifty
more to come and nearly all of these* on
the wet side. This was also true of the
city hall though here now and then a
spurt of the white ribbonists gave fresh
spurt to the anti workers and everything
was on a hustle notwithstanding the slow
ness of the voting.
Even up to the hour of theclcsing of the
precincts other than the court house at
2:30 o’clock, sun time, making about
3 o'clock city time, the lines were kept
full and at the closing of the noils many
people were disappointed and unable to
put in their votes.
The crush at the court house continued
all through the day. When the polls were
•thrown open the prohibitionists had the
inside of the track. They had been there
for a long time and were in possession
with the challengers ready for a long day’s
■ seige. As the hours wore on the line grew.
It was doubled up lest it should obstruct
the crossing of Second street and still as
a double line extended beyond the en
trance to the court .house. This condition
continued up to 10 o’clock. It took o
voter two hours to pass a given point.
The challengers for the prohibitionists
were untiring and notwithstanding the
complaints and the protests of those be
hind they continued to challenge every
doubtful claimant lor the right to cast a
ballot.
For several hours here the white ribbon
was predominant and the prohibitionists
were hopeful. They were good humored
and jubilant. They were inclined to make
some extravagant claims and from the
court bouse standpoint it looked as if they
had 'things their own way. But later in
the morning reports came in from other
precincts that dampened the ardor of the
wearers of the white badges. Then it was
that ‘the claims if repeating and illegal
voting were heard and the said
that they were not getting a fair deal at
the city hall where their side had not the
slightest protection or chance.
A visit to this poll at 11 o’clock showed
that it was completely in possession of the
reds. They were packed into line and with
the slow voting were kept in the line for
an hour before each one could deposit
their voces.
At the Godfrey district polls the scenes
were lively from early morning on. The
antis and the prohibitionists were strug
gling for the possession -of the polls and
the early advantage lay with the wet side.
But at about 10 o’clock the railroad vote
put in a solid, front with some two hun
dred men in a body and turned .the tide.
As the workmen filed along the streetsand
lined up to await their turn they were
received with cheers and handshakings.
This vete made the showing here some
where about even up to noon, at least that
is the claim made by the prohibitionists.
The result of tbe late vot£ was, however,
strongly in favor of the ant’s and at 2
o'clock a telephone message stated that
the election in the Godfrey would show a
two to one vote in favor of the wet side
with between four hundred and fifty and
five hundred votes.
At Findlay's there was a slight stir
when at about 9 o'clock this morning when
a negro band attempted to interfere with
the ladies who were there for the purpose
of helping the prohibition side. The mat
ter was. however, smoothehd over by con
servative citizens and up to the closing
.hour the voting went along slowly but
without the slightest trouble or clash.
At 2 o’clock the vote at Findlay’s stood
four to one it was claimed for the wet
side with five hundred and twenty votes
cast.
In East Macon at 2 o’clock five hundred,
and eighty votes had been cast, with three
to one in favor of the anti side.
One cf the odd features of the day was
the play made upon the legal phrases of
the respective tickets. The legal ballots
read “For the Sale” and “Against the
Sale.” but whether due to design, as was
charged, or to carelessness, there were
tickets reading “For Prohibition” and
“Against Barrooms” and the placards on
the hacks read every sort of way. It is
hardly prcbable the vote was affected by
the jumble.
MMMIC
REGJSTRATION
Closed Last Night' With a
Total List of Over Seven
teen Hundred.
ElEfflmO BE HEID DEC 10
Prohibitionists Have not yet An
nounced Their Candidates, But
They May be Heard From.
The city registration books closed last
night at 8 o’clock and the total number of
voters registered was 1779. The books
were opened early yesterday morning and
over 500 names were register'd during the
day. The registrars were kept busy all
day long and when the final count was
made and the registrars were through
with their work they gave a sigh cf relief.
The books have been opened since Nov.
1 and up to several days ag o very few
names had been registered. The city elec
tion will b held on the Ith. The four ai
dermen to be succeeded, are Taylor, Wil
liams, Moore and Huthnance. So far no
body has announced to oppose the gentle
men, but the prohibitionists say that they
will have a ticket in the field on the day
cf the election.
The finest and most tasteful umbrellas
at the most reasonable prices at Stevens’
jewelry store.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Will Not Meet Till Dec. 2. The Christ
mas Hollidays.
The Beard of Education will not meet
next Tuesday night as announced. The
regular meeting of the board will not -take
place until Monday night, the 13th.
The regular routine work -will be taken
up and it is probable that the date for the
■Christmas holidays will be set. All of the
public schools are crowded now and there
are several that could not -take in more
pupils. The school children will have a
week’s holiday during the Christmas.,
REMARKABLE OFFER.
Made by the Mix Shoe Company in Men’s
Shoes for Tomorrow.
The Mix '<hoe Company, as every one
ought ’to know, is se-lling out. The peo
ple of Macon have known this -same firm
under somewhat different names for the
'last forty years and regret the fact that
it will go out of business bn January 1.
But to shoe buyers the retirement of -the
firm means an opportunity for securing
bargains in shoes. It has been ‘a well
known fact that this firm speaks the
truth in its advertisements and that they
have never bandied any but the very best
articles in footwear.
In v an advertisement in today’s issue
'the iMix Shoe Company literally offers to
give 85.00 for $3.50. This affects the man
who wants shoes and good shoes. The
opportunity will not again be found easily.
Before you buy shoes at lease go and in
vestigate this remarkable affair.
LEGISLATURE AND SCHOOLS.
Indications th.it a Cut Will be Made in
School Funds.
There is naturally a very lively interest
among the teachers and officers connected
with the public schools of Macon and Bibb
county in the probable action of the Legis
lature relative -to the curtailment of the
school fund.
The appropriation's committee of the
House had a long session iast night-and
determined upon cuts in nearly all direc
tions, but waived, for the present, con
sideration of the school fund. The- state
sanitarium appropriation was reduced
from .$290,000 to $275,000.' The Georgia
School of Technology was cut from $22,500
to $20,000 and the State Normal from $22,-
900 to $20.1C0. This was all the committee
had accomplished when it adjourned, but
it developed in the course o‘s the discussion
that a cut in the public school appropria
tion is quite probable.
ViNEVILLE’S NEW PATROL.
Gen. Batee Provides Ample Protection tor
the People in the Camp Neighborhood
The Vineville road is now patrolled by
a provost guard. A party of citizens called
on General Bates yesterday and requested
that the road -be guarded as the citizens
living in the community were uneasy on
account of the depredations committed by
the negro troops.
General Bates investigated the shooting
which happened Saturday night and said
that he would put a guard on at once. A
provost Ls now stationed a. Ryder s store
and throe or four sentries are kep* on duty
on the V :k v r, rea l McElroy and
<h j lermuus of the Via«-vilie car line.
Lieutenant Reeves, of General Bates'
staff in investigating the shooting which
occurred Tuesday night. It will be re
membered that Bob Berkner narrowly es
caped being shot. If the parties are found
they will be severely dealt with.
STORY OF A SLAVE.
To be bound hand and foot for years by
the chains of disease is the worst form of
slavery. George D. Williams, of Manches
ter. Mich., telhs how such a slave was
made free. He says: “My wife has been
so helpless for five that she could
not turn over in bed alone. After using
two bottles of Electric Bitters, she is won
derfully improved and able to do her
work.” This supreme remedy for female
diseases quickly cu4*e<j nervousness, slegp
lessness, melancholy, headache, backache,
fainting and dizzy spells. This miracle
working medicine is a godsend trf .weak,
sickly, run-down people. Every bottle
guaranteed. Only 50 cents. Sold by 11. J.
Lamar & Sons’, Druggists.
COURT MARTIAL
JTSSIOI
Full List of all the Officers
Constituting the
Body.
T»0 CASES DU TRIAL.
What the Second Ohio Regiment is
Doing-Notes From the Camps
and Other Matters.
A general court martial was «Tn session
all day yesterday and today at the camp
of <the Third Engineers,' in pursuance to
the following order:
Headquarters Ist Division. Ist Corps.
Macon. Ga.. Nov. 28, 1898.
Special Orders—No. 13.
Par. I—A general court martial is ap
pointed to meet at Gamp Foraance, near
Macon, Ga., at 10 a. m., the 30th day of
November, 1898, or as soon thereafter as
practicable, for the trial of such persons
as may be brought before it.
DETAIL FOR THE COURT.
Major Willoughby Walker, Third U. S.
V. Engineers.
Captain W. J. White. Second Ohio Vol
unteer Infantry.
Captain J. W. Marston, Second Ohio Vol
unteer Infantry.
Captain L. ff). Gasser, Ohio. Volunteer
Infantry.
Captain G. F. Stickney. Third U. S. V.
Engineers.
Captain C. H. Smith. Third U. S. V.
Engineers.
First Lieutenant W. S. Wilson. Second
Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
First Lieutenant Robt. Webster, Second
Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
First Lieutenant J. D. Reagan, Third U.
S. V. Engineers.
Second Lieutenant W. E. Green, Second I
Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Second Lieutenant F. iM. Biggs, Second j
Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Second Lieutenant L. D. Brady, Third U.
S. V. Engineers.
Second Lieutenant Wm. A. Kent, Third
U. S. V. Engineers.
Second Lieutenant St. C. B. Gwynn.
Third U. S. V. Engineers. Judge Advocate.
By command .Major General Bates.
U. S. V.
M. N. Wright,
Capt. and Asst, Adjt. Gen. Vol.
Lieutenant Wilson, Second Ohio Vol In.
Two cases were heard yesterday, both
from the Third Engineers. 'One private
was charged with sleeping on his post
while a sentinel, and another for disre
spect to officers. The verdicts will not be
published until they have 'been reviewed
by General Wilson.
The Second Ohio is still working hard to
get their camp in comfortable shape, and
to do this it requires the hauling of about
fifty loads of sand each day, and the work
will not be finished before the end of the
week.
Yesterday General Wilson and staff vis
ited the regiment, and the general ex
pressed himself as well pleased with the
work .that was being done. He told Colo
nel Keurt that he regretted that the regi
ment had been placed on such an unfavor
able spot but assured him that it would
not be longer than thirty days before they
were in Cuba.
There has been a slight misunderstand
ing between the regiment and the Ohio Y.
M. C. A. state secretary, and the result is
the big tent and all of its equipments,
which have been of so much convenience
to the soldiers, has been, packed up and
shipped‘back to Cleveland, O. Through the
kindness of Chaplain Crawford, however,
a large tent has been provided which an
swers the purposes. This regiment has
the only circulating library with the army
in the field. There are nearly 500 volumes.
Coloriel Kuert received a telegram this
morning stating that Company C, which
was left at Camp Poland to clean up the
vacated camps of the old Third brigade,
would arrive seme time today.
The Second will soon have a place nice
ly leveled off and sanded where guard
mount can be held.
Very few soldiers are to be seen on the
streets today, and those that are cn the
streets are orderlies or provost guards.
Because it was election day General Wil
son issued orders .that no passes should be
isued. The provost guards, in conequence,
are having a. very unventful day.
LODGE or SORROW
Full Program of the Ceremony Arranged
by the Elks for Sunday.
T£e full program of exercises has been
arranged for the Elks Ledge of Sorrow to
be held at the 'Academy of Music Sunday
afternoon at 3 o’clock as follows:
OPENING.
Song—Mrs. Harry L. Jones.
Recitation —Mrs. Church Berryman.
Duet —Messrs. Dunwoody and Ogden.
Oration —Mr. G. C. Maththews.
Song—Mrs. Harry L. Jones.
CLOSING.
Regular Lodge of Sorrow ceremony.
Benediction —Rev. Dr. F. F. Reese.
BURKETT LOCKED UP.
A Difficulty at ths Polls in Which a Pistol
Was Drawn.
George Burkett, a well known constable
of Judge Balccrr's court, was arrested this
morning cn the charge,of carrying con
cealed weapons and pointing a pistol at
another.
Burkett, who has been working recently
for the prohibitionists, engaged in a dis
pute at rhe city hall this morning with
Hugh Lawrence, an anti-man, and, it is
claimed that Burkett attempted to shoot
him. It is said that he drew a pistol and
was about to fire when he was arrested by
I Patrolman Brown. Lawrence say s that
. Burket started the qaurrel and That he
I tried to avert it, but that Burkett forced it
* on him.
The aft Jr created no little excitement
and for a time it was thought that there
would be a murder. Burkett was locked in
the station house and was refused bond by
Judge Freeman. He will probably be com
mitted to the superior court when he is
tried. j c 11311X1
THEIR SUMMER
_ SUITS
Decision of the Army Board
as to Soldier’s Uni
forms.
LIGHT BROWN CANVASS.
Also Light Under Clothing Has
Been Recommended —Really no
Innovations Made.
» -
The army board, consisting of Generals
Bates. Ludlow and Sanger, that was in
session here last week, have rendered
their decision, and sent the proceedings
of the board on to Washington. The pur
pose of the board was to decide as to the
clothing that the troops shall wear du
Cuba.
It was decided that 'the light canvass
.clothing which was worn by the officers
last summer would be the proper kind and
it was recommended to the department.
The clothing consists of light brown can
vass, which makes a very suitable uni
form.
It was also decided to supply the men
with lighter underclothing. These things
have been recommended to the war de
partment, and it is very probable that
they will be adopted. Generals Ludlow
and Sanger have returned to their eein
mands.
“VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. ~
Gloomy Outlook for Military Men of Geor
gia—Disbandment Threatened.
The following story, which of special in
terest to the many members of the nation
al guard of the state who are in Macon, is
printed in the Atlanta Constitution of this
morning:
The reduction of the military appropria
tion proposed by the committee on appro
priations of the house, it is believed, may
cause the disbandment of the national
guard of the state. The moral effect, it is
said, will be -so great that The officers will
resign their.pests and the privates in tbr
companies will not re-enllst when their
present time runs out.
There was much dissuasion in the adju
tant’s office yesterday at the capitol about
the effect, and it was stated by military
men that the interest which has hereto
fore been manifested in the Georgia mili
tia by the members of It will cease and
there will bo no stimulus to keep the va
rious organized regiments together.
The officers of the Georgia volunteers do
not receive any pay, nor do the men, ex
cept when 'they are in an encampment.
The only expense borne by the state has
been for encampment and to supply the
companies© and regiments with some
equipment, for actual service, the greater
pai t being given to the federal govern
ment.
The officers and men of the Georgia
foi ces, said Colonel Obear yesterday,
“pay out of their own pockets anywhere
from $90,000 to SIOO,OOO a year to keep up
t-hcii organizations. The military may con
tinue, but the feeling of pride that the men
have had heretofore, if the cut in the ap
propriation passes she general assembly,
will sease and the men will belong to the
companies and regiments for personal grat
ification. The military organizations will
keep together more for social reasons than
for any other as soon as it ds evident that
the state does not 'think the armed force
is a necessary part of the government.”
The cost of the militia to the state has
in the pasu been only for encampments.
They have been sources of great experience
to the men and very valuable. If there* is
no appropriation it means the elimination
of target practice which almost essential.
Some of the’ organizations now furnish
their own ammunition, ftut not enough to
give the men any real and active service.
Colonel Candler, of the Fifth regiment,
thinks that if the military organizations of
the state are necessary to the state’s well
fare they should bo supported, if not they
should be disbanded. He says he believes
that every state must have some kind of
military force to preserve law and order
unless the state depends upon the federal
government for aid in time of need. He
said yesterday:
“Georgia, I am sure, does not -wish to
have federal soldiers performing such duty
within her territory, even were it possible
under the constitution for them to do so,
of if so practicable, to get wherever
in the state they might be needed. I have
no dcubt the state militia will cheerfully
submit to any action that the legislature
may see fit in its wisdom to take regarding
them anti will try to do its duty to the
state under any and all circumstances, but
believing, in the language of the constitu
tion of the state, 'that the protection to
person and property is the paramount duty
of government,’ and that ‘a well regulated
militia being essential to the peace and se
curity of the state’ should be organized
and maintained by the state. I think that
the condition of the state's finances would
authorize an appropriation of at least one
half in amount the apropriation for the
last two years.
“‘lf the legislature is opposed to camp
training, give it to us to buy necessary
uniforms, overcoats and other necessari
equipment, or to help pay armory rent in
which to drill and store valuable public
property.”
The state, it is said by military men,
has never appropriated enough at one
time for all the military to go into en
campment the same year. The soldiers
have been able to go to the encampment
only once in two years. The cost of this
has not amounted to one-tenth the amoup r
given by each indiviual soldier in the state
militia to the service for the same time.
The r of the militia that was
expected v begin today has beeen (tempo
rarily checked by the action of the appro
priation committee, and it will not proceed
with as much activity as was intended.
5