Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 May 1894 — KENTUCKY COLONELS. [ARTICLE]

KENTUCKY COLONELS.

How It Happens that They Are Sc Numerous In -the Blue-Crass State. It is somewhat hard for an outside bar bai’ian lo understand why “Coloneis” are so plentiful in Kentucky. In the first place Kentucky furnished a great many soldiers, botff to the Northern and to the Southern armies, during the war, and naturally seme oi these soldiers are sure-enough colonels by rank and service. Others who were minor officers, or perhaps high privates, are now dubbed colonels by way of courtesy. Then we have a very few colonels who hold over from the Mexicans war, and there are other colonels of militia, like the Louisville Legion, who come by their titles honestly. The Governor of Kentucky has the privilege of appointing persons on his staff with the rank of colonel. These colonels are expected to look pretty and martial at the Governor’s ball and to ride horseback when the Governor heads a procession. The last duty frequently gives them great pain and anxiety. There are scores and scores of these Governor-staff colonels in this proud old commonwealth. Some executives have been more lavish than others in the distribution of these gilded honors. That kindly old gentleman, Gov. Luke Blackburn, M- I)., was fond of creating colonels. During his term he made some sixty colonels in the city of Louisville alone, if I remember the figures correctly. There are various reasons which entitle a man to this gubernatorial compliment. Col. Will Hays is a colonel because he is such a gifted poet, while Col. Albert Dietzman was given his title by Gov. Knott because he was the greatest business manager on earth. I trust the facis will make it somewhat clearer to the wondering Northerner why colonels are so plentiful in Kentucky. But there are other reasons. Many prominent citizens are honored with this complimentary title simply as a recognition of Their merit by the community. Thus every man who conducts a large distillery is ipse facta a colonel; for instance. Col. John M. Atherton, or Col. Tom Sberley. Every prominent railroad officer is also a colonel; for instance, Col. Milton H. Smith. Every congressman is a colonel, as Col. Asher G. Caruth. Every man with a government office is a colonel; as Col. George Du Belle. Every great editor is a colonel, like Gol. Henry Watterson. The chief of the police department is a de facto colonel, as Col. Wood. Then there other gentlemen who are colonels because no other title fits them. But the law on the subject is a little vague and has never been formulated by the legislature. If a man lias been a captain in the war, never call him captain; call him colonel. He is entitled to this promotion .twenty-four years after the war closed. The only men proud to be called captain are the commanders of steamboats, the captains of fire companies, the conductors of railroad trains and the officers in a Salvation army. The title of major is comparatively rare, and, therefore, is really more of a distinction than colonei. Only prominent people who have seen actual service wear the title; for insten ce, Major Ed Hughes and Major J. Washington Wann. But still if you call a major a colonel ho is not likely to get mad at you. By the observance of these few rules I have jotted down, the stranger can get along in Kentucky . without committing any serious breach of etiquette.—Louisville Post.