People's Pilot, Volume 2, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 March 1893 — KANSAS MILITIA. [ARTICLE]

KANSAS MILITIA.

Got. Levelling Proceeding witk Its Reorganization—When Completed Be WtU | Have an Army of 40,000 Men, Every One of Whom, He Declares, Will Obey the Commands of ths Governor. Topeka, Kan., Fob. *s.—Gov. Lewoiling has fully decided to reorganize the militia of Kansas, which numbers 18,000 men, or thirty companies Orders have been issued to remove all disloyal line and staff officer* and replace them with men who will obey the governor’s orders. The military board is being reorganized for this special purpose. As there are more than 100 republican officers, Adjt Gen. Artz thinks it may take afe w weeks to replace all of them. In addition to the national guard, the number of which is fixed by law. Gov. Lewelling is causing to be organized the industrial legion, an inner circle of the alliance having a military character. Adjt. Gen. Artz says:

“Men are drilling all over Kansas to-day. Not with guns—they haven’t got them yet—but they are being drilled In the facings and marching, and they will he drillfed with the guns when they are ready for them. The law does not prevent the organisation of an unlimited number of military companies who can arm themselves independent of thektate, and this Is being dene to-day. People are In earnest The entire national guard of Kansas Is to be reorganized. What Is the use of having a military force if it Iseomppsed of men who won't obey orders? Bx-GoVi' Humphrey’s talk about our not having the power to reorganize the military Is all hosh. The law gives the state military board the power to do as It pleases with the militia This military board Is appointed by the gov Ornor, and when ex-Gov. Humphrey said Go 4 Lewelling had no power to remove brigadier general* he was mistaken. Anyone who will take th«, trouble to look up the law on this subject will see that we have oil the power necessary to reorganize the whole state militia.”

The legion is the organization provided for at the last national alliance, John F. Willits being named as general and organizer for Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Gov. Lewelling estimates that these auxiliary companies will contain 40,000 men, all pf whom will obey his orders when issued. The surplus of arms and ammunition supplied by the general government for tjie use of state troops will be used "w> arm the more advanced of these companies on the report made by Gen. Willits; their commander, who is also a member cf the governor’s advisory board of pardons. The fact that the militia refused to obey Gov. Lewelling’s order to drive ffom the representative hall the republican house has angered the executive, and lie declares he will have an army every man of which will obey the commands of the governor. The mutinous privates in the guard will be given their discharges if they do not ask for them, and populists recommended by known leaders will be enlisted. There fcl consternation among republicans at this movement. It indicates a future plan not yet revealed but which all f«ar.