National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-30
MILITIA APPROPRIATIONS.
Inadequate Allowances by Congress-
Democratic Penuriousness Exompli-

Inadequate Allowances by Congress--
Democratic Penuriousness Exompli-
fed.
When the Senate passed the bill increas-
ing from 100000 to 100000 the annual
appropriation to provide arms aud equip
ments for the militia, 1t was generally CON
ceded that the increased amount was
really inadequate to meet all of the press
ing needs Of the service, but that amount
was agreed upon as OF least an improve
ment. The bill providing 100000 annu-
ally went to the House, where the Demo-
cratic cheese-paring policy was allowed to
operate against It. In the report read TO
the House few days ago upon this SEN
ate bill, the committee on the militia exhib-
its Inconsistency In u remarkable degree.
Preceding its recommendation to cut down
the amount OF the appropriation from
$4,000 to $400, 900, the House committee
uses arguments which are strangely In CON
trast with its penurious action. 1t says;
That an appropriation fixed in 1903, to pro-
vide arms for seventeen states with popula-
ton Of 100000 is inadequate to provide arms
for thirty.eight states with population OF
10000 600, needs no argument.
The chief of ordnance has, for many years,
urged Congress to increase the appropriation,
md bills for this purpose were iavorably re-
ported in the forty.hfth and forty.soventh Con.
IL Is of manifest importance that the arms
for the militia OF the respective states be fur
nished by the general government IN order
that they may be OF uniform Torn Kind and caliber,
necessary to furnish nrms TO seventeen states Is
not sufficient to furnish them to thirty.olght
states.
And the same report quotes from late
report Of the chief of ordnance the follow
ing interesting statements In reference to
the organization of the militia in the sew
eral states:
II is difficult to realize the fact that more
than half generation has passed since the
close Of the war, aud yet that simple fact has
vital bearing for veal or voc on the status of
tho militia and the transferring force OF tho
country. Recruits for the army must BIO be.
tween 16 and 80 years OF age at the time of
their enlistment. In tho militia every able.
bodied male citizen who is OF the age OF Island
under i5 years shall be enrolled. The war
having lasted four years the million OF mon in
the service at Its close must have been between
the ages Of l6 and 39-thOso Mt l6 being raw
recruits, those ut 80 being hardened veterans of
many comprehensive mean age being % In
1865; If to this be added the eighteen years
mustered out at the end OF the war would be
DC Mt the present tlme-an nge about the maxi
mum required for the militia. But even those
who were l6 at the end Of the war would now
be 81, within one year of tho maximum limit
required for the army. II thus appears that in
another decade the last remnant of that grand
army will have passed beyond tho limit OF
active military service All the field expert.
ences of the greatest war of modern times viii
then be lost to the future, and the country's
dependence will rest solely on people whose
success in war may have to be gained through
reverses and dlsappointments.
The remedy for this state oil affairs Is simple
and plain. Substantial announcement should
be given to the formation of volunteer organi
cations in every state, district, and city, by
liberal appropriations made by Congress 70
supply the arms, equipments, tents, ommunl
tion, and other ordnance stores. A well.di
Ecsted system of organization, and n proper
recognition of successful efforts In enforcing
strict discipline and perfect drill would go far
TO keep such organizations In heart and In tho
confidence of the country.