St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-06-19
NEED ENCOURAGEMENT.
inspector General King Reports on
the State Militia.

the State Militia.
Inspector General King has submitted to
the adjutant general his report CT the an
nual inspection and muster of the national
guard.
There has been very marked improve
ment during the past year in the First regi-
ment,'' says the report, 'in drill, discipline
and generall soldieriy appearance, which is
due largely to the experience of camp service
and improvement in the standard of company
officers. This regiment contains many intel
ligent and efficient officers who would do
honor to any service. The men are in
splendid condition, present a fine appear
ance, are fully equipped and can
be relied upon for efficient SER
vice There has also been general
Improvement in the companies Of the Second
regiment, and the mon are in hne condition.
The manual Of arms in several of the COM
panies is poor, for which apparent neglect
there can be no excuse. The Second re9i-
ment labors under mai ny serious diSadvan-
tages, by reason of the scattered condition of
the companies. with no chance tor battalion
drill. the many changes occurring in compa-
MES located in small towns, and the lack of
encouragement and assistance from citizens.
The field and staff, non-commissoued and
company officers, are competent, courteous
and take great interest in the affairs of the
regiment Col. Robletter is painstaking and
efficient officer aud hard worker.
1.-The artillery arms of the service has made
decided progress in drill, discipline and
appearance. Radical changes have been
made in the ranks and new life infused
into the battery. Capt. L. d. O'Brien has
displayed excellent judgment in the selection
of officers. This battery can only have
mounted drill once year at the encampment,
owing to the great expense. As there is
United States battery, fully mounted and
equipped for service. permanently located at
one of the militia companies each year. it
would be well for the Emmett light artillery,
dismounted and without their own battery to
go into camp with the United States battery
for drill and instruction.
THE cavalry is branch that has been or
ganized and mustered into the service since
the last inspection, and is in a very promising
condition.
There is lack of interest and evident in
difference on the part of company officers to
the importance of recruiting their companies.
But little attention is paid to filing vacancies
that occur during the year until the near APP
proach OF the time for the annual inspection
and muster. and consequently the ranks con-
tain o number OF green recruits who lessen
the average OF the company.
The adiutant general has taken great pains
in systematizing the records and accounts,
and the company books and records are, with
few eXcep tons,
IN EXCELLENT CONDITION.
s"The arms and accoutrements are all III
good condition. The surplus stores held by
company officers have all been turned over tc
the military stOrekeeper in st. Paul. The
proper accounting of all state property is
carefully looked after. Especial attention is
called to the lack Of armories and suitable
halls for drill purposes, and especially for the
companies OF the Second regiment. Five OF
these companies have TO depend on outdoor
drills during the short summer season, which
is the busiest time Of year for most of the mem
bers. The companies of the First regiment
are well provided with armories with ample
room and every convenience and comfort.
There is q general complaint thro ughou,
the National guard of the state about the lack
of support and encouragement they receive
from the state, also from the citizens of tho
localities where the companies are located
They think that they have p very heavy bur-
den to sustain in keeping up the many ex
penses OF their organization, and that the
time and money they SO give in keeping uL
and perfecting their organizations, is mo-
properly appreciated. The coming year will
zee & very great falling off in the
Diesent strength and membership of the
guard both in officers and omen. Many will
have completed their term of service. and the
small announcement received by the state
will deter new members from enlisting ant
the veterans from re-enlisting. The STATE
sEo,lid make more liberal allowance for the
s,,nY,orsf ard maintenance of the nationa
p,,aid of this state, and every inducemen
should he held cut TO secure the great mum
her of active, intelligent men throughout the