The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-05
What Is Needed to Strengthen and
, Improve 1t.
STATE SUPPORT WANTED.
How to Encourage Eniistm ents
in the Militia.
Good Arms and Proper Equipments a
Oesideratum.

The recent strike the railroads ana tno Necessity
OF ealhux out the State National Guard to preserve
order and protect lite and properly has naturally at
tracted attention 70 the need OF well disciplined and
we'll organized body OF militia in every State OF the
Union The condition OF the National g uord IN tn Q
States OF Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, West
Virginia Illinois AMI Indiana has been shown 10 DO
woiuly deficient and unable 10 meet the exgences Of
she moment, and that New York State thore IL
abundant room Tor Improvement
NECESSITY MILITIA.
There can be no question among military students
that had the State OF West Virginia possessed strong
BODY OF well equipped and well disciplined militia
much OF the sorder that has occurred would have
been avoided: Tho may DO trutniuly sad OF
Maryland and Pennsylvania. The strike of the Bat-
moro and Ohio men on the banks of tho upper Po-
tomao permitted gain strength and force simply
because the Governor of West vsginia unable 10
oppose the strikers with effective force OF framed
soldiers III the very beginning or tue trouble. The
militia he did have At his command wore Of use AT
al. Indeed they did moro harm than good. being
Ill disciplined aud onicered by wholly incapable
Of filing their positions Therefore he called for regu-
lar troops. In Maryland the thing occurred 70
one regiment IN Baltimore really created disturb
ance instead Of queng one by the needless firing Of
Individual members In the command. When reg uar
troops subsequently marched through tae city they
being better disciplined they marched forward with
out hring shot, simply because their officers gave
thom no command to use taeir rides. In Pitsburg
foolish threats uttered by officers who subsequently
deserted Their posts inaamed the mob, that when
the battle ensued the militia at tho mercy
Of the rioters, they being left to their own de-
wees These statements are not made 10 deride
the militia organizations in those States, because
there can be no question but that the rank and flo
were individually brave. 1t is the system that is at
faut not the members OF the National Guard.
THE NEW YORK NATIONAL GUARD
In this State We fortunate Tor 1t Is apparent
to every ono that our National Guard Is the best in the
Union 1t is stronger numbers, better armed and
equipped; It possesses higher degree Of discipline
and military saucalion, and by It's during the
lato troubles really preserved the State from danger
and loss. But it is lar from being perfect in It's
organizat ana equipment as 1t should be. Good
and efficient the service rendered. IL Is a
positive TACT that this service might have been better
performed had the New York State National Guard
been really prepared for instant active service.
Ihe conduct OF the Syracuse regiments such
that tue Eighth regiment of this city. had 10 be
stopped way to Buffalo for the purpose of main
taiang order The first duty The Eighth had to per-
form to drive the local troops armories
for they were scattered through the streets III q
ment was sent to Albany without ratons, knapsacks
overcoats or blankets they fortunately had rifles, or
they could not have been sent at all. To expect q
regiment do without food proper equip
men, was the height OF FOLLY. Yet there were other
regiments in precisely tue predcament In
fact there are few Of the regiments in perfect
taking the field On the contrary, many are wotully
deficient in many necessary items Of equipment,
The question Is being asked by thinking meu, "what
10 necessary to make national guard real power %
We propose TO answer that query by showing what
constitutes effective body Of troops. The skeleton
organization Of the State National Guard Is really
good 1t is divided into tive divisions u certain
section Of the State forming the territory IN which
each division is to be raised and maintained. These
divisions subdvded into three brigades compris-
ing three or more regiments. There are also the
necessary number OF staff officers 10 represent
the various duties to be performed. On pa
per this system looks exceedingly WELL but
when tue Whole BODY OF State troops Is suddenly
called into active service we see repeated on
small scale what France discovered when she to
war with Germany. Incompetent men IN positions
VI great responsibility and total lack OF sup
plies lessened the value of the militia aud
mado tue service performed by the men far
moro ardnous and iaguing than 1t should have been
We arc fortunate In having in command OF the several
divisions men who really understand their duties
most of them having seen IN the field during
the lae war, and those who had that experience
possess executive ability and discretion. But their
staGs not what they should be. The same evil
Exists in the brigade organ cations, ana to n degree
also IN the regiments. STAFF positions looked upon
having other duty attached them thah 10 ride
finely caparisoned horse parade aays or to sport
handsome uniform al balls and reviews therefore they
ns gwen out to men who have money spend and
who do not care to perform service in the limo TINS
Is all wrong as We shall show
NEEDED.
In order to place tho National Guard on q proper
footing TO be Of real and Tor the protection of the
State in time of internal trouble, the Legislature
should in the first place. appropriate sum OF money
sufficient to equip the entire body Lberay in this
respect would be real economy the future the
city Of Pittsburg had possessed welt disciplined and
properly ofIicered body Of militia in her hour OF
trouble she would not have to pay $1,000 900 Tor
railroad and other property destroyed by the rotcra
The state should furnish every regiment with a de-
cent armory which TO practice and drill 1t should
provide every enlisted with breech- ng rifle
Of the most approved patcrn ana also see that
soldier has knapsack, haversack, canteen, an
overcoat and u blanket ready at all times Tor
The allowance for clothing should be increased
young men OF slender means might be induced to
the ranks and Keep the several organ
required standard. This would DO great step toward
max .hc National Guard elective body of troops
But there Is moro than lhls needed. The state should
possess camp cqupage Sufficient to put every regiment
IN the field at twenty.four hours notice. How much
potter u would have been If The New York regiments
rould have gone INTO camp instead OF beng hnddlcd up
in hot ernurics, over stables and markets. Two could
have gone 20 Washington Parade Ground, two
more 10 Union square, three TO Madison
and three 10 lonpkns square, had there been tents
Tor them. And wat splendid camp could have been
formed at Fort Green Tor tue Brooklyn regiments
Bui these camps couid not be formed because, had
there been tents enough lew Of the men had blankets
10 sleep on. II is, aftr ALL more question OF money
tnnn anything else. Money TO buy tents and other
camp equpaycs; money 10 provide each with a
complete KIT; money 10 SECURE proper armory
modation money to enable tho regiments TO Keep up
thor strength to the fun standard.
The division and brigade sans, and Tor the matter
Of that, the Governors STAFF should be composed OF
msn who not only willing to perform their duties
but are actually capable Of dong 3d. Whe tho National
Guard wcrc under arms in this city, hotel keeper,
hoiung the position OF brigade commssafy actually
renamed In his place OF business awaiting orders,
Will, b never came Yet the m, IA In his brigade were
sorely for food had rely on lnclr rcgi