The National tribune., 1889-06-27
THE REGULAR ARMY AND THE MILITIA

1hfs hEOutsAk Ahkhif AND THE MILITIA.
One of the glaring defects Of our political
system is the entire lack of the Govern
ments control of or connection with the
militia of the several States, except when
the President shall call it into service in
time of actual war or insurrection. Our
forefathers were so fearful of a military
despotism by the General Government that
they put the entire control of the militia of
the country in the hands of the Governors
of the several States, who alone have power
to appoint the officers and train and disci-
plinen the men. The Governments rela-
tions to them in time Of peace are confined
TO issuing arms upon the requisition of the
of q State choose TO encourage the organiZa-
tion and training of It's militia they can do 50.
If not, not, and no one can bring any pres
sure upon them. Tie Government can say
nothing as TO how many regiments are
organized in State, or how efficient they
can be made; how they shall be uniformed,
armed or drilled. Everybody recognizes that
this is wrong, and likely to result in great
harm in this day, when every European
Nation has in operation well-perfected
system, by which practically every man
capable of bearing arms is made an auxiliary
to the Regular Army in times of great
emergency. But there Is no way 10 reach
the matter except by Constitutional Amend
mcnt, which is practically impossible now
The time 10 have done il was Immediately
after the war, when the need Of National
Militia was apparent, and we were In the
way Of amending the Constitution.
The present Administration Is earnestly
impressed with the necessity of doing what
ever is possible under the Constitution and
laws TO remedy the defects and bring the
Regular Army into closer connection with
the militia. Secretary of War Proctor is
giving a welcome TO requests of Governors
of States for Regular officers TO visit and
inspect militia encampments, and plans are
being devised for the assignment Of such,
when desired, as instructors.
Another plan is to have the troops of the
Regular Army, where practicable, 90 into
camp with the militia at the Summer en-
campments Of the latter. The first regiment
to do this will be the 23d u. s., which will
go into camp with the Michigan militia at
Battle Creek from Aug TO 13. The Reg
ular Army rife teams will compete with
the Wisconsin militiL at Camp Douglas, Wis,
next month.
The President Is considering the idea of
writing each year TO the Governor of each
| State, informing him that his State will be
allowed to Gil for three-year term Regular
Army vacancies with intelligent young men
of American birth not under 81 or over 80
years of age, of good character, education,
etc. Such Of them as the law will permit
who, after two years of service as non-com-
missioned officers are found competent will
be appointed commissioned officers in the
Regular Army, and such as do not wish to
re-enlist will be discharged with good
practical military education, fitting them tc
command company.
Possibly out of these plans will be de-
velopt some way in which the National
Guards Of the several States will be mad,
what the volunteers of England are-t
reserve and auxiliary for the Regular Army
closely and directly connected with it.