The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-18
The New Militia Movement.

AbN convention now nEStnlbltl
in this city has undertaken work Of great
public Importance. The arms-bcaring pop
ulation of tho United States which would be
enrolled in the militia and made liable TO
military training, were tho existing law en-
forced numbers nearly four millions, exclu-
sivc OF exempted classes. The actual num-
Der of organized militia is considerably less
than a hundred thousand. Take out four
States and the aggregate militia OF the rest
numbers less than fifty thousand New
York alone contains nearly fourth OF all
the organized militia Of the country. Half
dozen States have made no returns what
ever, for years, to the Adjutant-Genc and
presumably have none to make. In three
Others the aggregate forces numbered re-
spcctvoly, in the latest returns, Co. 40. and 3
all officers, with not private 10 COM
mand. Seven other States return tower than
Boo each. officers and men. Eight more mus
ter fewer than 1000 each; and So the almost
incredibly feeble catalogue goes on.
Year after year, Congress has made some
attempt to reform this dscrcditahc state
OF things; but it has invariably shrunk from
a task so heavy that it hardly knew where
10 begin. The result has been the Shameful
spectacle, 10 which no use can harden the
American people, Of Governors Of states
calling upon the regular army TO help them
even in ordinary cases Of local disturbance;
and the same soldiery have even watched
at election polls.
The purpose Of this Convention is to show
'"ngress exactly how and whore to begin
OF IIlitia reorganization and re-
the wol. -eoson i!s action has taken
form. For this '""d a. substitute
the form Of n bill, dcsis ""a which.
for the old laws Of 1872 and ly--,
though obsolete, arc still on the statute
look, and are highly amusing in their in
functions that every ablc-bodicd male cit-
zen between Is and As years old shall hc
enrolled and shall train in the militia md
shall have at hand good iirclocl- and two
spare Hints, or else good rille, with shot
pouch, powder horn, twenty balls. and
quarter Of q pound Of powder; while every
officer shall have his hanger and spontoou
Getting at the central idea 81 the plan
which the Convention has for the past two
days been celebrating, we find IT To- consist
first. u proposition that the annual ap-
piopriation for militia arms and ammuu-
ton. whci- Congress has made for the past
seventy years, shall hereafter be increased
e. $1,000 o00--it is now S20oO0O. as it was in
1909. But the States will be required t.
meet this provision By cooperative action u
their own. Each State must, for example,
furnish all its organized militia with a service
or fatigue dress. Of a pattern 70 be settled
By board Of officers for whose appointment
the bill provides; It must also construct at
least one rifle range for practice and in
structon. Until State complies with these
O. . L.. d g.. "a -
the annual appropriation; and, further this
appropriation Is TO De divided among the
States and Territories in proportion to their
numbers Of regularly organized and uni
formed militia.
The purpose Of this plan is obviously two
fold first, to encourage the backward states
10 increase the numbers Of their militia;
secondly, to compel n uniformity in the
various State militia systems which now
seems hopeless. This effort at uniformity
is extended to organization, 10y recommend
ing 10 the various States (which have final
power in the natter an organization as
nearly as possible based on that provided
for the army; togovernment aud discipline
by arranging that code Of militia regula-
tions shall be complied from the army reg
ulations and printed in a small volume for
Tree distribution; tOdrill discipline, and gem
eral management and condition, by assign
ing army officers as inspectors and also as
rcgmeutal adiutants-thc latter, however,
only on request; to dress and to rifle prac-
Vice in the ways we have already spoken OF.
In addition, it has been proposed to have
team and individual rillc-match prizes Of
lered by the Secretary Of War.
1t will be observed that these propositions
Are practical, and that they aim at building
up the militia by Offering inducements Ia
the States to do their duty. Undoubtedly
notifications could be suggested in details
for example, in the method Of appointing
the board ON dress, equipment and regula-
TONS while the prize drill and prize shoot
Ing feature may strike Congress as too
much like premium chrome business for
legislation behtting n great nation How
ever, all details are susceptible Of alteration
What Congress needs now 10 do is to note
the proceedings Of this Convention, and {,
be ready to receive its suggestions. Brcl
A. is the time before the close OF the session
Congress should lind leisure to consider and
10 act on this measure OF high public i'm