The Sunday tatler and Jersey City express. (Jersey City, N.J.) 1883-1886, 1885-01-18


to Atty companies of infantry, and two
Calling Gun companies. The entire force
Is thoroughly armed and equipped, and
furnished with the State regulation service
uniform. with the exception of Calling Gun
Company A, which still continues Of it's
own volition to wear the Zouave uniform
used by its members during the war.
I am in favor of every measure which will
increase the efficiency of the National
Guard, of which the State is justly proud
Upon consultation with the members of
the State Military Board. determined that
its efficiency could be increased by placing
the soldiers in camp, where they could learn
the military duties connected with active
service in the field, and acquire better
discipline and drill than in their armories.
This determination was carried into effect
by the formation of Camp of Instruction
at Manasquan upon grounds leased for
that purpose. The entire Guard was not
placed in camp on account OF the expense,
but the Second Brigade, General Sewell
commanding, was ordered to attend the
encampment by the Major General, with
my approval, as Commander-in-Ch Chief. The
Brigade remained there from August 18th
to the 23d, inclusive. The beneficial effect
of this encampment under its able COM
mander were SO noticeable, that upon con-
sultation with the Quarter Master General,
and with the approval of the State Military
Board decided under the provisions Of
section of the supplement TO the act or
ganizing the National Guard, approved
April 18th, 1884, 10 purchase ground for a
permanent camp. The advantages of in
struction in a camp are no longer ques-
ton of experiment. The States that have
the most efficient military organizations are
all provided with permanent camps, except
New Jers y.
ascertained that there had been ex-
pended during the six years, from 1877 to
1883, for rental for use of rifle ranges over
SIS, 1000, making an average expenditure for
that purpose of over $4,000 per annum
Upon consultation l concluded that the
camp could be used for rifle practice, and
thereby save this annual expenditure. The
experiment of using the camp for this pur-
pose was thoroughly tested at the late en-
campnent, and was a complete success. A
permanent camp would also save much ex-
pense for transportation, because many
articles could be stored in buildings upon
the ground.
The Quarter Master General has agreed
to purchase ground for a permanent en-
campment at Sea Girt. near the place used
by the Second Brigade. His action has my
approval. The question of title has been
referred to the Attorney General. / recon-
mend that the Legislature confirm the act
ion taken by the Quarter Master General,
and that the Comptroller be directed to
draw his warrant to pay for the ground, and
also that a suffice MT sum of money be APP
propriated for the purpose of improving
the camp, and fitting it for permanent occu-
patton.
The amount saved by the State in using
the camp for rife range will in ten years
be sufficient to pay for the land, improve
the same and erect necessary buildings.
The discretion reposed IN the Quarter
Master General, and the Commander-in-
Chief under the act of April 18th, 1884, has
been exercised SO as to secure healthy
location, with lake on one side and a
frontage on the ocean for sanitary purposes,
rife practice and instruction in sea-coast
defences. The ocean frontage enab.. es the
State to take advantage of tYue act of Con-
gress which authcsizes the Secretary of
War to issue, on the recquision of the Gov
ernor, to State bordering on the sea-coast,
and having permanent camping ground,
where the military are annually encamped
not less than six days, two heavy guns and
four mortars, with carriage and platforms
for the proper instruction and practice of
the military in heavy artillery drill. This
act provides for the construction of suita-
BILE battery. and appropriates $1,000 to
each State applying therefor. The great
extent of our sea-coaSt renders such prac-
tice wise and prudent measure.
am convinced that the efficiency of the
military force depends largely upon the
qualifications of its officers. Under the
Constitution the line officers are elected by
the men of their several commands. There
is no provision of law for ascertaining the
qualifications of those applying for commits
sions under such an election. suggest the
propriety of providing by law for a Board
In each Brigade for the examination of line
officers, whose certificate shall be presented
to the Chief with the GER
tificate of election.
refer with pleasure to the very complete
and satisfactory reports of the Adjutant
and Quarter Master Generals, and to those
of the staff officers accompanying the same.
These reports will be found to give full and
complete information with reference to
every detail and matter of interest pertain
ing to the National Guard.
1t has become my sad duty, during the
past year to give proper and just recog-
milton to gallant soldier, whose sudden
death has been a great and irreparable loss.
Major General Gershom Mott was buried
with military honors by the State. His
civil aud military services to the State, his
distinguished and gallant conduct in the
battles for the preservation of the Union
are imperishably written as a bright record
in the history of the State and Nation.
STATE PRISON.
At the close of the fiscal year there were
S43 convicts in the State Prison, of whom
only $40 were employed on the contracts
In existence. One of the contractors, en-
gagged in the manufacture of buttons, and
employing 80 men, failed last July. His
machinery and stock on hand were pur-
chased by the State for $1,000. Owing to
the depression in business the contractors
have Of late employed no more men than
they were obliged to by the terms of their
contracts, which, together with the failure
of the button manufacturer has caused a
falling Oft in the receipts of the Prison.
The report of the Supervisor states that
the total expenses of the prison for all pur-
poses during the year were 1882, AT. So;
and that the earnings amounted to $751;
646.21, making the cost of the State Prison
70,57l.37. This is SO, 605.06 mere than in
the preceding year, and this increase of
cost is due to the causes above stated. In
addition to those employed on the con-
tracts, So convicts have been employed in
the erection of wall surrounding the
prison grounds, which has been construct
ed under an act of the Legislature, ap-
proved April 18th, 1884. Laws of 1884,
page 229]. This wall is not yet completed,
but owing to the efficient management of
the prison authorities entrusted with its
construction, its cost will be considerably
less than the appropriation made by the