Archive Record
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Metadata
Title |
Letter from W. H. Mabry to J. J. Ringer March 24 1893 |
Collection |
MS 6 Miscellaneous Rangers |
Catalog Number |
RC2001.18.4 |
Object Name |
Correspondence |
Scope & Content |
Letter from Adjutant General W. H. Mabry to Special Ranger J. J. Ringer at Belton, Texas, dated March 24, 1893. Two single-sided pages on Adjutant General's Office stationery; the second page has some unrelated writing on the back. The letter is in response to previous communications about the authority of officers to bear arms. "Sir: Your letter of enquiry of the 22nd (just) to hand. In reply [?] I will state that, in the opinion of this office, a "special" ranger has the right to bear arms, under the law, in his capacity as a member of the "ranger" force of the state. The law authorizing the organization of the frontier battalion was approved April 10, 1874. Section "19" of said act states that there shall be (6) six companies of seventy-five (75) men each. In this this connection I will refer to provisions of sections "23" & "25" of same act. Referring to provisions of section 19, I will state that the appropriations made by the legislature for the maintenance of the "ranger" force is not sufficient for the organization to the full limit allowed by law, under pay, but the governor can have enlisted, men who will serve without pay and without cost to the state until this limit in numbers is reache, when in his opinion the necessity exists. I will add that the [?] for the necessity are always made to this department before "rangers" without pay are enlisted. Sec. 17 makes the U.S. Army Regulations the law in the government of this force when same is not in conflict with our Constitution or state laws, and, sections 18 & 31 gives additional powers to the Adjutant General in the administration of its affairs. The word "special" used in the descriptive list of "special rangers" is simply a term used by this office to designate the fact that said "ranger" is serving without pay and without cost to the state because of lack of appropriation. In other respects he is all that the law contemplates, in the organization of said ranger force and with powers and rights co-equal with what part of the force may be under pay. The law contemplates that the force shall be armed. See sections 8, 9, & 27. And, therefore, could carry them. Very respectfully, W. H. Mabry Adjutant General" |
Date |
March 24, 1893 |
People |
Ringer, J. J. Mabry, W. H. |
Search Terms |
Special Rangers Frontier Battalion Belton, Texas |
Credit line |
Gift of Anonymous Donor |