The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-07-07
Transfers in the state Militia.

Transfers IN the state NltIttlOs
Some little controversy has lately taken place upon
the subject that heads this article and propose to
give our views of the matter supported by few facts
and figures from official reperts which consider
sufficient argument favor Of, and ncontrovertibls
proof for the position have taken upon this
tious Of disputaton; for, perhaps, in military
than In other Affairs Ii action OF
that tends 70 disrupt existing harmony and cheer
full concerted action in discipline and organization. All
competent military authorities agree that the maxi
mum standard, whether for . company, regiment bril-
eade or division 10 efficient than the maxi
mum commands designated "sksleton;'' snd
by tho maximum division the number Of
men are not only more effective, powerful and Gen.
certed in action, but arc more easily handled and
disciplined than corresponding number Of men
arranged In the minimum or skeleton" system. That
Is say ehect:-The command that has as few ofh-
possible TO thoroughly direct and order the
organization Is the most perfect or with superduous
officers and parts command becomes more confused,
inefficient and incapable Of CELEBRITY and certainty of
movement than q completely filed corps. In '.sKee-
ton" commands there are more sources for conflict Of
authority cashings and want OF well directed internal
organization Of the different parts than In maximum
ones The concession 10 now made that the manage
ment ana divisions OF the French army are more
plete and perfect than any other in existence regi-
ment in the French service has about ~ many
the entire Third brigade has, exclusive Of musicans
Of any the First DIVISION and We do not think the
ton will DO denied that the drill Of this body exces
that OF any other brigade Of militia In the
country The Of this organization s attributable
to the fact that it, MEMBERS considered a. commands
approach 70 the maximum regulation than Others
and the spirit OF comradgshp kept up by the praise.
worthy desire Of emulation OF the different regiments to
retain the character ana % 'ner separate
belong The Third Brigade then, being the nearest TO
the standard Of excellence, policy and sound Judgment
consider In the matter OF transfers would suggest
the proprey, In reconstructng the brigades Of the
National Guard, OF keeping the Third intact aud OF
pieting the same TO the maximum number and taking
4 a. \ unod rnfher take 10
al up any s'skeeton command for the socalIed pur-
pose Of squazation. Equalization Of regiments on such
. basis or OF brigades without disbanding
mands, 10 impossible, for no brigade Of the National
Guard Is strong required for the good Of the
skeleton" commands should b disbanded and incor-
porated into the larger bodies
The cardinal principle in military should be progress
sivs SUCCESSION. The plan Of SUCCESSION Is that which
gives snimus and life TO the militia and the
spirit OF emulation among officers and mon TO endeavor
70 obtain by merit higher distinction and rank than
already acquired But indscrinnaie selections OBJ
tain maximum commands would DO injurious; for, II
senior anc junior ru, suo ssOn shsn "s ere
very spirit Of generous and noble rivalry that At present
exists and has given 10 the National Guard s force aud
character, would b destroyed, and the militia SER
vice would become merely nominal power For the
desire and industry that pervade many regiments and
have S ~ rvsn 70 'as% &C.
II all commands we're filled up 10 the maximum reguar
tiou without proper regard 70 selections regiment
been nossd for s poor discipline and undscipnsd com
mand IL their numbers kept full By the systsm Of
njudcious transfer, would rank equal 70 The dsoip
line and taking body.
command 10 innusacsd by the efficiency and discip-
line Of s ohcsrs and whore organization met that
has caretakng conscientious ocsrs who are ooedsnt
10 duty and orders, there 10 found reliable snscvs
and well directed body Excsllsnoe In military, - well
In other professions In life obtained By assiduous
application 70 work.
let us take the First and Third brgades for example.
When present commandAnt OF the First brigade
elected the generashp the brigade consisted OF six
regiments. with aggregate Of 2,ssl men. Nov the
aggregate only 1,Ss2 men, being loss OF 900 men,
nearly IS per cent In command directed BY is pres
enI head less than seven months The Third brigade
the last inspection numbered an aggregate OF $500 men,
and has active than ~ any time before under
It's present arrangement The ocal report OF the Third
brigade gives the aggregate number Of that body, noe
including musicians, - 3,1l7 men. From this deduct
the number given the report Of the Seventh regiment
at that time, 962 leaves 1853 Add 10 the number OF
the First brigade sS2 that OF tho Seventh regiment
esq., gives s44 nearly 100 than the Third brig
ade would number without the Seventh regiment
The injustice, them OF taking full regiment from the
would be apparent especially when consider that the
who form the organisation do desire such transfer
and take much pride In belonging The third ,ne
brigade does In the interest OF regiment that forms 20
distinguished feature In its organisatton -
The consideration OF the subject Of Transfers ress WI
efncen high In authority, and - 70 % nopeo, Ifom
their we'll known ability aad their earnest aenn ~
promote the interests Of ths National euasd snss sns
selections IN transfers VIII b msds oay s"s "s'a''
deatbarnslon