Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-15

THE CITIZEN, SOL DIERS.
A Convention OF State Delegates Tht.
Morning i'm the Interests OF the Mill.
tia Of This Country.
Guard association of the United States met this
morning at the Ebbitt. This association con-
sists of five delegates from the militia of each
state, and when the president, Gen. George W,
Wingate, Of New York called the association to
order there were present representatives from
eighteen states. the delegates being as follows:
Louisiana-Gen. D. H. Maury. Ohio-Adit Gen.
E.B Finley, Capt. Geo. Sintz. Tennessee-Capt.
s. T. Gaines. Memphis; Capt. r. p. shelton,
Chattanooga Rhode Isfand-Gen. Elisha Dyer,
jr., Gen. Charles r. Dennis, Gen. Elisha H.
Rhodes. Kansas-Gen. A. B. Campbell. Min
nesota-Gen. c. NJ. MacCarthy, Col. c. w. john
son. Nebraska-Gen. John G. Bonnell Com
DECENTRALIZATION Chas. l.. Burdett. kentucky
Col. John b. Castleman. Maine-Gen. ]. NJ.
Brown. New Jersey-Gen. Steele, Capt A. B.
Wallace. Colorado-Gen. Taylor Gen. II. NJ.
Teller. Gen. E. X. simpson. Illinois-Gen. M.
Reese. Pennsylvania-Col.S S. Donation, Gen. ].
I. Hartranft, Col. Heidershein, Gen. Snowden,
Major Krumbhaar, Major A. D. He. burn, Col
Foras Col j. seaa or.e New en-,
slab Porter, Col. Charles E. Bridge, Col. james
H. Jones. Missouri-Gen. W. II. Vancleave,
Col. Z. p. Mier. Capt. J. $. Perkins North Car
kee. Virginia-Gen. ]. c. Anderson, 1t. Col
10. Lane Stern, Capt. Geo. \. Mushbach.
THE OBJECT or THE ASSOCIATION
is the proper organization and practical equip
ment of the militia of the country. In order to
secure this, the association advocates the pas
sage of Senator Sewell's bill Increasing the ALL
nual appropriation for arms and ordnance
stores for the militia from S2OO,OOO to $780,
lie the present absolute provisions OF the United
states militia law.
OPENING ADDRESS.
Gen. Wingate, in his opening address, said
the OBJ Gets ofthe association had been thwarted
in the past by the objections that 1t was the in-
tention to deprive the states of their authority
over the militia, and then, on the other hand,
that 1t was the desire to take money out of the
Treasury OF the general government for purely
state organizations without permitting proper
sup 'rvisiOn by the War department. But the
greatest obstacle they had to encounter was the
apathy among the people, the militia, and liz
the association had at heart. He thought now
that the situation was more favorable and that
the pills before Congress would receive favor
Gen. Taylor, of Colorado, was elected record
Ing secretary in place of Con. Alexander, OF Des
Moines, Iowa, who was unable to attend; Col.
Cilas. r. Bridge, OF New York, was the CORE
spending secretary.
GEN. HARTRANFr, OF PENNSYLVANIA,
in discussing the bills now pending in Congress-
said that they ought to move very cautiously.
There was great prejudice in the public mind
against the militia, and now there was no dam
ger to the country there was indifference as
well. They should so act as not to arouse oppo.
sitlOn from any quarter. He recOunted the eff
forts which lead TO the organization OF the mill
tia in his own state. He said that he would be
perfectly willing to accept now the apprOpria-
ton of 100000 from Congress without asking
cor Sack ann more sk tr s they could
ment Of these laws affecting the state militia
which are now obsolete. He moved that a
bill similar to the one passed in the Senate APP
propriattng this money, and that the Slocum
bill be referred to the same committee. He
With the Qtaiclals of the government and of
Congres. and tiSsn. to draw up bill. They
mot bs so,s to to this but
Introduction into Congress.
OTHER SPEAKERS.
Gen. FarnswOrth, of New York, agreed with
the last speaker, and said that there were feat
ures in the bills which had been presented in
Congress to which he objected. He thought
that the efforts had now better be directed
towards securing the appropriation.
Other members expressed opinions similar to
the above, and IL seemed to be the general
sentiment that everything should be subOrdi-
mated to securing the vital object, namely. the
appropriation, and that other matters should
be omitted at present, in order to avoid stirring
up opposition.
One OF the members said that in many of the
states no provision was made for the militia,
ana the state mtiltla should be so constituted
that ii would he ready for the field in an emer-
gcncy. He thought that the appropriation
ought to be Mt least a million, that clothing
and stores could be supplied.
COMMITTEE APPOINTED.
Gen. Hartranft's motion was adopted, and
the chair appointed Gen.. Snowden, of Phila-
delphia, Gen. Campbell, of Kansas, and Col.
Galway, L. S. A., OF this city.
An amendment was offered and adopted adj
ding Gen. Hartranft, OF. Pennsylvania, Gen.
Jones', OF North Carolina, Col. Castleman, OF
Kentucky. and Gen. Finley, OF Ohio, to the COM
mittee, although the former said he would pre-
fer not TO be Oh the committee.
Gen. SnOwden, OF Pennsylvania, said that he
Thought an appropriation OF one million dol
lars would be more than was needed. For in
300 men to each member of Congress, that
would make S,4OO men in the militia force,
and this would entitle them to $50, 200, which
was more than was needed, even under the sup
position that the state furnished nothing. He
Thought that the association ought not to ask
tor more than was needed.
The discussion continued during the morn.
ing session until adjournment at O'Clock.
The association will continue In session this
afternoon and Tomorrow, and in their meet
ings will discuss such questions as tine follow
Ing: go
First. The progress that has been made in each
state during the past year in advancing the eff
hclency of its national guard.
Second. The relative merits of regimental or
brigade camps, and whether 1t is best to them
near large cities.
Third. Suggestions in regard to Gen. Slocum's
hi tN<nf II ,rarrf q A,