The Portland daily press., 1875-02-17
Try TELEGRAPH.
FROM AUGUSTA.
legislative Matters.



AUGUSTA, Feb. 16.
The report of Gen. Isaac Dyer, Inspector
General. is connected with that of the Adjutant
General Gen. Dyer reports that the disci-
Mine of the troops at the encampment was
good, the camp neat, the arms generally in
good condition and that good progress was
made in drill, etc. He finds some fault with
the discipline and instruction of the artillery.
He takes occasion to state that the idea that
money expended in military instruction is
useless expenditure, is most erroneous ana
hopes the state will regard the maintenance OF
an organized militia as of great Importance.
President Webb of the Senate, is unwell at
home.
Hon, w. w. Thomas, ii. j. Libby aud
other like prominent men OF Portland while
here warmly advocate the abolition OF the
sinking fund of 1866 and the extension OF the
time of paying that loan by an issue OF bonds
of longer time to exchange for those falling
due during the next ten years.
Report of Adjufant General Murray.
The report of Adjutant General Murray
will be presented to the legislature the present
week. 1t says there has been no change in the
condition of the military during the past year.
The number of enlisted men Nov 3Oth was
918. of which 230 belong to the Androscoggin
artillery There are So officers, including the
division and regimental staff. Gen. Murray
reports number of applications for the or
ganization of new companies, coming from
young men who are so anxious to be acquainted
with military drill that they will furnish them
selves with the regulation uniform II the state
will furnish arms and authorize organization.
He does not, however, deem it judicious to In
crease the number cf companies uEtil the
present number are put upon an efficient foot
ing. Although the last legislature appropr-
ated $15,60O for military purposes but Sl2,6oO
was available which was expended for pay
ment of troops, clothing, etc., small sum
compared with the amount expended by Mas
sachusetts (S4O3. .OOO), or Connecticut $50 000),
or Rhode Island ($33,000).
Gen. Murray thinks that more frequent IN
spection of the companies should be made
than once a year-that the Inspector General
should make thorough work of it at the ar
mories of the companies, carefully investi-
eating everything pertaining to the discipline
of the men and the safety and efficiency OF the
administration of affairs.
During the year eighteen officers have re-
signed, which number embraces seventeen line
officers. Two of these resigned because OF
promotion, but all the rest left the service-a
fact that must seriously interfere with the
efficiency of the companies.
The amount of money appropriated for SOL
diers' pensions for the past year was $2S 995O6
which sum included $3,995.06 transferred by
law of last year from the abolished Board OF
Guardians. The expenditures on account OF
pensions were $22, 294 48. Pensions have been
grrnted to 202 invalids, 27S widows, 5 fathers,
lis mothers, sisters, q guardians OF orphan
children, 5 guardians of adult persons. The
appropriations for pensions aud INDECENT Or
phans in 1869 aggregated $780, 000-all of which
was expended, showing falling off IN the ex-
penditure from this source of about S $4,000.
An attempt was made in 1874 to SO change
the statutes of the state that persons who had
received injury in the honorable service OF the
country could not be DISTINGUISHED in conse-
auence of being furnished aid by towns or
boupties, but a clerical error in the draft OF the
bill or elsewhere thwarts the intent, Gen.
Murray calls attention to this fact.
In his report as Quartermaster General,
Gen. Murray shows that $S,795 was expended
for clothing last year, three companies having
new uniforms. As the most of the troops have
no oyercoats he recommends an appropriation
for this purpose. He further states that tents
should be purchased if musters are to be con
tinued This will cost $4,000. He also calls at
tention to the unsafe condition of the building
used as an arsenal at Portland and says if no
better provision is made to preserve the state
property 1t will be necessary to remove the
same to Bangor. During the year ordnance
has been received from the general government
to the value of 81, 316.36 aud $619.14 remains
due All of the companies are now armed
with breech leading rifles of the pattern recent
ly adopted by the United States. He also rec
ommends that all of the military property be
carefully inspected and such as is useless or
upserviceable be sold.
1t is very doubtful if the homeopathic
amendment to the General Hospital resolve is
withdrawn ..