National Republican., 1885-12-16
THE MILITIA CONVENTION.
A Million Dollar Bnl to be Urged Upon
COuUrpsa.

Tho fourth annual convention Of the Ma
tionnl Guard Association of the United States
met yesterday morning at the Ebbitt House.
The association consists Of five delegates from
the militia of each state, Eighteen states wero
represented at the meeting Tho president,
Gen, George w. Wingate, Of New York, In his
opening address, said the objects of the aSt1.
rlation bad been thwnrted In tho past by
the objections that II was the intentloh
to deprive the states of their author.
ity over the militia, aud then, on the other
hand, that II was the desire TO take money ont
purely slate organizations without permitting
proper supervision by the War Department.
But the greatest obstacle they had TO encounter
was the apathy among the people, the militia,
aud In Congress In regard TO the entire quOs-
tiOn which the association had nt heart lie
thought now that the situation was more favor.
able, and that the bills before Congress would
receive favorable consideration.
Gen. Taylor, of Colorado, was elected re.
cording secretary In place Of Gen Alexander,
Oi DCs MOines, Iowa, who was unable to at
tend. Col. Charles f. Bridge, of New York.
was the corresponding secretary
Gen. Hatttnnft, of Pennsylvania, made n
short address, in which he counseled cautious
action. so as not to arouse opposition. The re-
peal of obsolete laws affecting the militia was n
subject for future consideration. He moved
That n committee be appointed to prepare n
bill, and that the Slncum bill be referred to the
same committee. He thought that this COM
government and of Congress, and then TO draw
up II bill. They might not be able to report 10
this meeting, but they could be authorized TO
prepare n bill for Introduction into Congress-
Remarks were made by Gen. Farnsworth, OF
New York, and Others the general tenor bong
that everything should be subordinated to
securing the appropriation, Gen. Hartranfts $
motion was adopted, and tho committees ap.
pointed as follows: Gen. Snowden, Of Penn.
sylvania; Gen. Campbell, OF Kansas: Col. Cad
way, U. S. A.; Gen. Hartranft, of Pennsylvania;
Gen Jones, OF North Carolina; Col. Custlcman,
of Kentucky, and Gen. Finley, ofOhio.
The convention rcconvoned at o'clock. Tho
following were elected officers for the ensuing
year! President, Gen, W. Wingate, Of New
York first vico president, Gen. Johnston Jones,
OF North Carolinai second vice president, Gen.
A. II. Campbell, Of Kansas; corresponding sec.
retary, Col. Charles Q. Bridge, OF New. York;
recording secretary, Gen. VIII l.. Alexander OF
Iowa, aud treasurer, Gen. j. g. Bonnet, OF Nc.
brnskn.
The committee on bill to Congress reported
one, which was adopted, to amend section 1861
OF the Revised Statutes, making an annual np.
propriaton OF 81, 100000 to provide arms for tho
militia.
An invitation was received from the Prosl.
dent expressing the wish to have the members
of the convention call upon him. The invita-.
tion was accepted, and 10 o. o'cloUk this morning
was designated as the hour.
The following executive committee was ap.
pointed for the ensuing year New England
states, Gen. Elisha II. Rhodes, ofRhode Island:
middle states, Maj. Andrew II. Hepburn, of
Pennsylvania; southern states, Cen. u. II.
Maury, of Virginia; western states, Col. James
NJ. Rice, of Illinois; Pacific states Col. Horace
j. Ramlett, OF California.
The convention then adjourned to 0 clock
this morning.