Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-04-25
MONEY SPENT ON MILITIA
4 FINANCIAL STA rEMEHT By GEN.
ZEAL Il. Ii. kEHHBF.



"In the first place $40, ,256 was con-
tracted with the state of Pennsylvania by
me, which was following out what Gene
raj Postles had started. Out of the
S200, COO appropriation of 1903 which
was to be divided among all the states
for the benefit OF the militia, Deleware's
part being about 81, 400, there had been
SO that when went into
office there was about $I6, 900 to our
credit. Under on act of Assembly, passed
in 1885, authorizing the sale of arms for
the benefit of the National Guard, with
the approval OF the governor, arms were
sold, and under that law this contract
was made with Pennsylvania, and the
@l0, ,256 was received. and 1t reduced our
to S13, 900; the price per
qua being $l2 30, instead OF $l7. That
loft in round numbers SO, 900 to our
credit on account OF the old appropria-
tion, which was used up TO within $5.S3
in arming and equipping the four new
companies organized i'll 1887 at George
town, Laurel, New Castle aud Whining
ton; with this $40, 256, which, under our
law was for the benefit of the whole
militia, to be expended under the direo-
ton of the governor, was used to uni
form the guard, which was done in the
spring of 1887. At the time came in
there was not uniform in the State
worth buying; theg bad been worn OUT
30 that everything had TO be gotten anew,
which left little over 5000 out OF this
9i0.256, after the uniforming of the ten
companies My report shows all these
facte. Therefore, the question of S. COS
balance ia disposed of. There was
nothing in it. No item OF expenditure,
either for encampmenis or ont Of the gun
fund, could be made By the Edjatant-
general except on the approval OF the
governor.
'tJhe writer OF this article speaks
about 100000 appropriation Of Con
gress being increased 30 $6U0, 900. There
never was such Law passed; but the ap-
preparation of S20n, 0O0 was increased to
100000 on February LIST, 1857, and the
law was changed SO as to prevent any
state from getting the benefit OF tho ap-
propfiation unless such state had organ
izad, uniformed and eniis5ad men to tie
number of at least 800 for each repre-
sentative In Congress, Grd that the stores
now drawn under tho congressional ap-
preparation do net become state psop-
CITY but remain tho propetty of the g1v-
eminent and have to he accounted for by
the adjutant- general annually on the same
tfsurps as are used Ia .he regular army.
Tie slightest loss OF brsakage Of prop
eEty drawn under the now approximation
would have TO be accounted for by
board Of survey appointed by the gov
ernor 70 investigate all such matters. The
question of money from tha sale of guns
going into the treasury is absurd, from
tire fact that the Law provides it shall bs
used for a specified and special PURPOSES;
thefe being o check OH the adjutant-
general in the fact that not dollars ex-'
penditure cut OF that fund can be made
except on the NpproVai Of the governor.
The money derived from the sale Of arms
has never been divided pro rata among
tho companies, as stated BY General
Postles, bat has bseE expanded for the
benefit OF tho militia; the law that Gen.
Fosties calls TO mind having been re-
peaisd in 1855.
''phe.e oDttid hs 10 1000 remaining.
That is perfectly alaUgi. Thia S22, 900
bod nothing 10 do snd Tas NO pSft o. tbs
fund devoted 70 GEGap1ppiapts. zAta
~aa uiMply ussi for the upitornirg Ead
buyiue fags and 6F5ils sad snoh thjnes.
"In 1887 or 1883, ,la Dslawgre pnFtion
OF the $500 GOO appropriation being
about SO 100 q year, Nss rF,tSily nsei up
by our acquisitions on 'ls governor FOR
camp ecuipage, baasd tsnts SC, tho
state having nothing Of tins KIND pfiaE ~
june S0th, 1857; not o piece Of garrison
or camp equiphRe had the State owned
prior to thai ti,ne.
.tThe cost Of encrmplnents was, in 1897,
between 81 ,0a0and 81, ,0U0; in 1855 So, 700;
which together maaeB about 400.
This is the whole amount of monsy thnt
has been used for the purpose of annual
encampments; not dollar OF which has
come out of the State. Neither has the
National Guard, during its existence, cost
the State of Delaware one penny, for the
following reasons
Under the aot Of 1908, sppropriating
5000, 600, there had in 1850 accumulated
q fund to the credit OF the State which
was used to large extent BY the a6ju.
tant. general in equipriug the volunteers
for the civil war from this State. who
after being mustered into the State SER
vice were mustered into the United Stntes
service and, after tho expiration of tho
war or their terms OF service, were mus.
tered out or discharged, and the guns
and accoutrements used by them were
turned over TO tho government az govern
meut property This passed unpoticed
by the State authorities until 1887, when
the General Assembly passed joint reso-
luton authorizing Attorney General PEN
ington TO collect from the war depart
ment moneys due the state for the use OF
arms which had been wrongf1Iiy turned
over TO the government. During that
year MIR. Pennington paid into the Stste
treasury over &9S, 600, which, at simple
interest up to 1887, the year of the first
encampment, would have made that
fund amount to over $i6 600; and, after
deducting the expenses OF the two en-
csmpments OF 1887 and 1888, there will
be found available from the source above
stated, being moneys that the State had
no right to use except for military pur-
poses, over $4,000; which would pay
for at least four more annual encamp-
ments, and this would carry the National
| Guard up to 1898, with their encamp-
ments at no expense to the State. Because
these moneys were collected from the
| government and paid into the treasury of
tho State is no reason why it becomes a
enaral State fund, from the fact that.
! x"pt for tae suppose existsnce OF
/ mihtia, CONGRESS wnall neyar have made
7 tuca an rHsurr''i H snt, when made,
7 / wis j ~ tUrs und rstandif g
tbat tho lrd-Ns derived f,oal tine ale of
A,iss Hul4i tY4; sp9raprisiiun should be-
( wauiit B1 so eiy for tae bsneit Of the
militia OF tho national guard"
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