The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-29

not increase the state appropriation "a
military In the least. After II was framed,
the bill was submitted by the military COM
mittee in charge Of IL TO every officer in the
State for criticism and suggestions. Replies
were received from one hundred and twenty
five out OF one hundred and eighty-One, and
the bill was altered and amended as far as
possible 10 meet ali the wants expressed by
them.
GENERAL ANDERsON's VIEWS.
General Charles j. Anderson, command
ing the First Brigade Of Virginia Nolun-
teers. was next seen. lie said: There has
been very little change in my command
during the past twelve months. The troops
are well armed and equipped, princi-
pally at their own expense, however, but
they need fatigue uniforms and overcoats,
camp equipage, and the general stores 10
make a military establishment on first
class basis In most all cases the uniforms
we're furnished out Of the mems private
pockets; the state only furnished the arms
and equipments"
"IIow are officers held to account for
losses; They are not held 90 account at all.
The expense Of maintaining company
varies; II 10 less in small than in large
places, but the average, ! reckon, is about
5000. The military bill, if il becomes a law,
win have a remarkably good effect on the
volunteer forces, provided it is not made too
top heayy-that IL, too many new officers
provided for in il. ] will say this much,
however, il does not ask the state 70 eXpend
any more money than il is doing now, but IL
ought 10 ask for three or four times a.
much. ! think the measure has met with
general approval among the officers Of the
State"
MAJOR MARSHALL, or THE CiYALAY.
~ n l..
the first battalion Of cavalry Of the state.
Twelve months ago had four troops, one
Of which was incomplete. This year there
are six complete troops and two Others
forming. Stores have been issued to one in
Richmond, one in Surry county, Lynch
burg. Hanover county, Prince George,
Chesterfield, and GOOchland. To equip
each troop il requires $500 stores. Each
year we should be issued 10000 ball cart
ridges for rifle practice. During the past
two years the State has issued 10 my bat
talon about $4,000 worth Of stores"
"What system is used 10 ascertain that
stores issued 10 your battalion are properly
used ?? was asked.
"By the reports forwarded 70 battalion
headquarters by troop commanders"
GLOW often are the property accounts OF
the cOmmandants Of your troops audited,
and by whOmrr
Annually by the inspector general"
What i the expense Of maintaining
troop per annumW
well il costs about s., 800 for horse hire;
$500 for armOry rent, and about $500 for in
cidental expenses. All this expense is
borne by the members Of the companies.
Last year the state gave leach troop about
Sl20-thats ALL"
"The new military bill will render no
monetary advantages 10 the service, but
the system and discipline Of it viii be
greatly improved.
Before you go / will say this: All the
supplies for the cavalry Of Virginia 20
through the headquarters Of the majOr-gen-
eral Of the battalion. They don't pass
through the adjutant-general at all, a. the
supplies Of the other arms OF the service
do in the state
MAJOR sIMONs.
Major William F.. sim0ns, commanding
the First Battalion Of Artillery, said my
command is about in the same condition 10
was year ago, less ordinary wear and tear
Now as 10 the amount OF ordnance stores
necessary 10 supply my batteries per year,
] will say that. provided they are once put
i'm proper condition. il will take about $500
or 500 a year 10 keep them so. They
have never been what they should be. llar-
ness and guns especially are needed. The
four batteries-in Norfolk, Petersburg.
Lynchburg. and StauntOn are badly in need
Of harness. Lynchburg and Petersburg are
now drilling with guns that are not either
used or made any m0re-smO0th-bore
brass guns. They are obsolete. The How
tiers use very good guns, but they are not
modern by any Means
what amount Of stores have been issued |
10 your battalion by the State in the past
two yearsF'
II am trying 10 get at that now. The Ad- |
iutant-General's report don't give it,"
"What system is used 10 ascertain that /
stores issued 10 your batteries are properly |
usedy"
"No system. They issue stores direct % /
one Of nv batteries direct from the United 1
states arsenals, without having them come /
through my department or ordnance officer. /
We can't have any system under the /
present management; and as for property /
accounts they are not audited at ALL
"The expense Of maintaining battery is ]
at least 81 800 or $1,000 per annum. The |
lOwitzers have an income Of about $500.
and they don't have 70 pay any armory rent,
either.
"1he new bill will, if enacted. bring about
a more thorough discipline Of military gen.
srally; it will place the distribution Of gov
srnment stores in the hands Of an ordnance
)flicer, and will take il from the Adjutant-
ieneral: il vii cause companies 10 be in
spected by their own Inspector; il will de-
,rease headquarter expenses, and promote
The efficiency Of the military throughout
he state. Last year, out Of ys,i6 Of the
state fund, $3.449.j0 went 10 the expense ac-
count Of the Adjutant-General's Office. The
bill proposed originated in the Military
,lub. / offered the resolution myself 10
luu0iut committee 10 oct il lIU
Il have heard some objection made 10
'aising the grade Of the officers. The Adiu-
ant-General. for instance, now has the
'ank Of the brigadier-general; the new bill
would make him maiOr-general. The
eas0n for this change is in order to make
he rank Of our officers more nearly con-
Orm 10 those in other States (where they
ire much higher, so that when they meet
Ogether they will be on like footing.
MAJOR RANDOLPH.
Major Norman V. Randolph, Of the First
Brigade staff, said he thought the new
Military bill would be Of great value 20 the
erVice Of the State. "Jnless some such
Measure is passed the military is likely n
lisband, The officers are getting sick oil
he present law. 10 is absolutely neces-
airy 10 improve the volunteer system.
n order 10 insure good government in many
ectiOns Of the State. as has been attested
y the prompt response 20 calls made upon
hem in times Of necessity, when the civil
authorities could not restore order"
las the ordnance officer Of the First Bril-
-ade, what system Of accounts are kept by
GU with the companies OF the brigadefr
"NOne; all ordnance supplies are sent
irect TO companies from the government. {
md | have no idea Of the value OF the ord
lance stores i'm use by the brigade, as ,
ever received any memorandum as TO their
quantity or value
MAJOR CARY.
Major W. Miles Cary, Of the First Brig
de stan, said he had not examined the bill
loosely, because Of absence from the city. :
MT he had been told it was q meritoriou. /
MEASURE, and seemed 10 meet the exigen-
les Of the state. "Ihere is certainly"
e said, "a necessity for more help 10 the /
Military than the state is now giving. The !
spirit Dc corps should be kept up, and the
ervice~ill prosper. Proper equipment is
ecessary 10 have the soldiers under good p
iscipline." I
COLONEL STERN. :
Colonel 10. Lane Stern, inspector-general e
( the State, thought the militia Of Virginia j
. good condition, and better than in most j
T the Southern States. OF course. there
luld be no such force here as they have in 1
laegachusoffs New York pannevlvanfa Il