Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-12-23

Executive. on u iuH
the sheriff's communication, aud oil all
the facts Of the case within the knowledge
III this department, the reasons adduced
did NOT appear sufficient 10 justify the in
,srd;ction asked for. the right Of the
EXECUTIVE TO exercise this high dlscre-
,,onsry power having been questioned,
and as similar cases may arise in future,
[ respectfully recommend that such de-
clarstofy enactments be made as will re.
move alI doubt upon the subject. ! have
thought it most advisable to leave to the
wisdom Of the General Assembly the de-
cjsiou Of the question whether the places
OF deposite should be changed. Your
carly attention TO the subject is earnestly
invited.
submit herewith the report Of the Ad.
iltant General shelving the strength Of
the Militia. md presenting his views on
several subjects connected with lis organ
ization. The Importance of rescuing
this arm Of our defence from its almost
useless condition, urges the serious on
sideration OF every proposition for It's i'm
proycment. While every other subject
that engages public attention pariakes Of
the spirit of Improvement which marks The
sge, this alone is permitted 10 languish
and become the object of rIdicule aud re-,
proach.. The low repute INTO which the
whole system has fallen, seems TO hav.
deprived il Of Whatever int rest II former.
ly excited. Nothing more plainly Illus.
tfates this condition than the indifference
with which commissions are accepted, the
short period they are ret,ined aud the
readiness with which they surrendered.
Few persons u n acquainted wlth the par
t~iculars, would credl. the umbe OF re-
signations tendaiei and number Of com
missions issued every year. Officers nj
first uniformed, who do not retain their
commissions long enough To becoms nc
quainted with Their duty, cannot of course
impart instruction 10 others. Uuder such
circumstances, the subject becomes lis
tasteful 10 themselves and 10 those under
their command. For though the law re-
qnires three years service from every
commissioned officer before he can ac-
qaire the right TO resign, yet, as the pub.
lie can receiveliitle ben fit from those who
have no inclination for the service, It will
rarely happen that designations will be re.
jected. While this apathy continues, oil
discipline is destroyed aud disorganiza.
ton is the necessary consequence. Such
II system must be progressively ineth-
cient, and yet the duties it imposes are
burdenson,e to the people without an e.
quIvalent advantage, and the expense
with which il is attended greatly exceeds
any benefit it c~onfers. Some innovation
is necessary to impart 10 il new life and
yigor. In an endeavor remedy some oil
its defects, | beg leave to offer a few sug.
sestions for your consideration. 1t may
we'll be questioned whether TIE pres ut
mode Of e%lecting officers, provided by the
act of 1891, has not been productive OF
more injury than utility-whether it is
no, the fruitful source Of intrigue, insub-
ordination md a relaxation oil discipline,
inconsistent with the true spirit aud cIh-
cheney Of military operations. In tune oi
wal especially, it would seem to be al va
rance with every principle by which thu
movements of an army are rrgnlattd.-
But even in time Of peace, b. sides these
objections, the assemblage of the people
from announcement distances in the coun
try, ut announcement tim 8, merely 10 -
lect officers, must be a source Of great
annoyance. They feel no respect for tn
system, are generally in If rent as 10 the
selection of officers, and their obj ct in
many instances seems TO be to bring II
nto ridicule and contempt. The law in
this particular has been attended with no
---II. Ia,E. k,,t -. ,aI,nat .Y.g
are obvious and numerous.
Tnn Adjutan,-General as well rs his
pred ,~cessor, both officers Of experience
and high intelligence, have earnestly re
commented the restoration Of the office
oG Brigade Inspector, which was abolish
ell b. the act Of 1894. The failure to
perfotm essential duties, the inability in
many cases to give proper instruction at
The annual trainings, the want of uniform.
liy in the tactics, the excitement Of dis
gust instead ofhnnorable emulation among
the officers, are soma of the CONSEQUENCES
OF abolishing this office. The inaccura-
cies and discrepancies in the regimentaI
returns, and the failure to obtain the true
strength of the militia and the number and
COuuliipH VI tHt pubilC htuISt iGoull Iloil
the same source, inducing great loss 10 the
Commonwealth. There is reason to be-
lieve tina; the aggregate returns fall great.
ly below the actual numerical strength OF
the militia. If this BE- true, the State
must annually be deprived Of the full com
plement of arms TO winch she is entitled
from the General Government. The quo
ias 10 each State are distributed according
to it's relative proportion Of the militia OF
the United States, as ascertaIncd by Off
cial reports from the several States. The
amount OF arms which are now annually
lost by defective returns, might contribute
materially to delray the additional expense
10 be incurred by the employment of 'iesr
officers. By dsvolving also upon the
Brigade Inspectors duties not heietofore
required of them, the proposed change
would be attended with advantages amply
compromising the State for the add tiunal
cost TO be incurred. If this change BE-
deemed inexpedient, | would respectfully
recommend such amendments to the law
as would secure more full and accurate
returns of the strength Of the militia, and
the number and condition of the arms in
their possession.
The waste Of the public arms is a SUBJ
Ject which demands the inter position uGI