Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-02-17
MAINE MILITIA.
Report OF the Adjutant Genera

The reports of Adjutant General Murray and
other officers of the Volunteer Militia will soon be
made public. Gen. Murray Gays that the condition
of the military of the State has changed but little
during the year. Nov. 30, the number of enlisted
men was 9lS, of which LAG are connected with the
Artillery, and the balance is infantry. The num-
Der of commissioned officers, including division
and regimental staff, is SIS. Although Gen. Muir
ray reports a number Of applications for new COM
panies and that there is q large number of young
men who were not old enough for service in the
last war, anxious to learn something Of military
drill that they would gladly furnish the required
regulation unifolm OF their own expense, be does
not think it advisable TO encourage the formation
Of new companies, until those already organized
shall be properly supplied with what they require.
The last legislature appropriated $500, but
only Sl2 600 was available. which has been used
for paying the troops, for clothing, substance,
ETC. In connection with the subject Of appropria-
tions Gen. Murray observes in Q note that Massa-
chusetts expended S403 900, Connecticut, $40 900
and Rhode Island $4,000 annually. At present
the Inspector General makes but one inspection
annually, at muster time. The Adjutant General
recommends the inspection of the companies at
their arnores to ascertain the condition of com
pany property well the conduct Of the affairs
Of each organization. Following these recon-
mendations is . roster of the officers of the or
ganzed militia. During the year, eighteen OIL
GERS have resigned, two for the purpose of being
promoted. ne names anu TANKS u uhuNtS VI
Maine who are officers in the regular army are
next given.
The next subject noted is State pensions The
appropriation for the year, including IS 06 re-
ceived when the Board of Guardians was discon-
tinued and its funds transferred to the pension
fund. was S28 1896 06, OF which so, 294 .4S was ex
pended. The falling off in the pension list is
shown by the fact that the appropriation for PEN
sions and INDECENT orphans in 1859 was $50 900,
showing decrease Of expenditure since that time
Of S35, 900 annually. The law OF 1874 render, 1t
unnecessary for new applications to be made by
such pensioners as have had pensions granted the
past year on evidence that the condition of the
pensioner is such as to render a continuance nee
essary. Gen. Murray thinks that clerical error
in the section Of the law intended to protect the
rights of those who receive assistance in conse-
quence of injuries sustained in honorable service,
makes the meaning of the bill quite the contrary,
and suggests that the legislature amend the law
so as to secure the results evidently intended.
In his report as Quartermaster General, Gen.
Murray says that 1875 has been expended for
clothing the past year, three companies having
new clothing furnished excep, overcoats for which
he recommends that an appropriation be made.
Tents also have been hired which is expensive.
He thinks if musters to be continued, tents for
the use Of the troops should be purchased, which
would cost about $1,000. Gen Murray also calls
attention to the condition Of the building in Port
land used as an arsenal 1t is not safe or conven-
lent and remarks that the property there i'll have
to be moved to Bangor if provision is not made
for its safe keeping in Portland
During the year ordnance stores were received
from the United States amounting to S4,3l6.36,
and there remains due from the general govern
ment S6l9.l4. All of the companies have been
armed with breech-loading Springfield rifles, re-
Gently adopted by the United States army Sus-
pecting that portion of the ordnance in use and
some Of the stores are unserviceable, Gen. Murray
recommends careful inspection.
The report Of Gen. Isaac Dyer, Inspector Gen
Al ur,tb 10 of Cav
The Inspector General found that the discipline Of
the late encampment was good, the camp neat, the
arms generally in good condition. This remark
does not extend to the artillery, where the disci
pline cannot be reported good" and instruction
was poor, though the material of the company is
excellent