The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-03-22

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The following communication in re
gard to the military organization ofthat
State may also prove of interest:
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS,
STATE OF New YORK
ADJUTANT GENERALS OFFICE,
| ALBANY, January %, 1872
SIR: | am directed by His Excellen-
cy, Governor Hoffman, to acknowledge
the receipt of your communication of
the 10Th instant, making inquiry con.
cerning militia law of this State.
In reply l have the honor to inswm
you that copies of the military code of
the State OF New York and the report
OF the Adjutaut General for 1871 have
been forwarded to your address by eX-
press.
The report Of the Adjutant General
| for 1872 has not yet been printed, but
the condition of the National Guard in
number of organizations, aggregate
strength (about twenty four thousand
&C., is substantially the same as shown
in the report sent you.
The Legislature appropriated 5000,
000) two hundred thousand dollars an
nually from the general fund for the
support of our National Guard and the
expenses of the military departments.
1t has been found necessary for the past
few years to ask for small addition al
appropriation, but it is hoped that in
the future the expenditures will be con.
fined to the amount above stated.
| Should you require any further infor-
nation it will be cheerlully furnished.
am, sir, very respectfully,
j. B. STONEHoUsE,
Col. and Asst. Adit, General.
Hon. G. b. Brock way, House of Rep
r"sentatives, Harrisburg, Pa.
The main point is the information
| That it costs the State of New York di.
rectly over two hundred thousand dol
lars for the number of men they have
got, while they do not have encamp
inents as many days as we propose to
have.
| would also ask the clerk to read a
communication from the Adjutaut Gen
eral Of New Jersey.
The clerk then read the following:
STATE OF New JERSEY,
OFFICE OF ADJUTANT GENERAL,
TRENTON, Jan. 26, 1872.
Hon. c. b BrOckWdy, House of hep
resentaticeS, Harrisburg, Pa:
DEAR SIR.-Yours Of 10Th, addressed
to Governor Parker, has been referred to
me for reply. | enclose you copy of
our National Guard law, with supple,
ment thereto. For many years prior to
1869 we had three special militia laws
in force, old law modelled from acts of
Congress, State Guard law and Rifle
Corps act. In 1867, when L entered this
office, we had some three thousand two
hundred officers in commission and
about one thousand four hundred en-
listed men. We were in about as bad
shape as could he. After two years
application all militia laws, rifle corps
acts, &C., wele wiped out, and on the
united approval of all the military men
of much rank in the State, the present.
law was framed and we commenced
anew. An inspection of every company
III the State was made whose headquar-
ter5 were on railroad land therefore
could be of some use,) and those who
could not pass as good, live companies
were disbanded. That left us about
thirty companies. The law then re.
stricted Us to sixty companies of in fan
try; one company to be reserved for
each county. For three years the force
has been full tifty-two companies, and
eight vacancies reserved for eight coun-
| ties. a rigid inspection of every com
pany is held twice year, and if it is
not passed it is promptly disbanded
About four companies meet this fate
every year and a dozen are always
ready to take their places. Section 80
gives each company five hundred dol
lars per annum, pail from the State
Treasury, and the comptroller always
sends in an estimate of the expense of
the National Guard for the coming
year as thirty thousand dollars. We
have No direct tax, for it is difficult and
&c Il
in our Quaker counties. The features
of our law and our force are compact
ness, few officers, at least forty active
men TO each company, companies, reg.
iments and brigades easy of centraliza
ton. Personally, | consider our law
rs good, if not better than any yet
framed, and am quite sure il is efficient
and inexpensive. Let me instance two
events to prove efficiency, promptness,
and good organization. On the 18th OF
July, Governor Randolph, in Jersey
City, telegraphed to Newark for the
Second Regiment. The distance is
about ten miles by railroad. The alarm
bell in Newark struck two for the nun
Der of the regiment ; they gathered at
the armory; double.quicked to the de-
pot, five squares took possession of a
train and reported in Jersey City in
forty three minutes. AT the inaugura-
tion of Governor Parker, on the 10th
inst, the military force, although com.
ing from Camden and Jersey City, and
different parts of the State, marched on
time disbanded for one hour and d
half; formed again, three minutes late
and passed the reviewing stand on time
We work for promptnessan and efficiency
l have very huIrlelly thrown toge H.
| a r thpln facts how
force is worked. | will be happy t.
still further explain when called upon,
Yours respectfully,
WILLIAM S. STRYKER,
Adjt Gen'l of n. j.
The average cost per soldier i'll the
| United States is about one thousand dol
lars per anuum. Taking that AS basil
and they meet only eight days in {
year-include also the costs of court
martial aud other expenses authorized
[ by this bill, and it will make a sun
| greater than that which has beel eX
l pended in the State of New York. Th'
courts martial provided for here are eX
ceedingly expensive, and in relation t
/ that provision, | would ask the particu
, lar attention of the gentlemen Of thu
Military Committee.
Section forty-siXth provides that "th,
| nuIIlDeT vi men CONSTITUTING COuItS mar
tial shall be as provided for in the army
, of the United States, and at least TIVE
! members Of the court, if practicable
| shall be of equal rank with the office
tried. Officers detailed to serve oI
courts martial and courts of inquir!
shall receive the same pay as pro
t vided by regulations for like service il
| the United States army" That is at tn
| rate, say of captain of artillery, on
! hundred and eighteen dollars per mOntl
: that of "A brigadier general about thre
i hundred dollars a month and so OF
( through all the gradations-the officer
| getting the same pay as is provided fO
{ officers of the United States army. Or
| the contrary, in New York they estab
t lish a regular per diem, which save
/ less than one half the expense proposed
y by this section.
5 But here is singular provision tina
/. "witnesses shall receive the same pal
J, per day and for travelling fees as befor
5 courts of common law Jurisdiction, ol
t the certificate Of the judge advocate o
1 such service, transmitted through tn