The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-09-28
THE VIRGINIA STATE MILITIA.
Col. Joe Lane Stearne Talks
With Times Reporter.

/ The Inspector Generals Opinions ana
Comments - Fifty-Five Companies in
Thirty Towns--Nhat the State Ought to
Do--Proud of Roanol<e's Crack Conn
pany--Hc Favors Another In Roanoke.
A TIMES reporter met Col. Joe Lane
Stearne, Inspector General of the Vir-
ginia State troops, at Hotel Roanoke
last night. Col. Stearne is of medium
size with a commanding military figure
and a handsome face. and is pleasing
talker. He is greatly interested in the
| State troops and delights to talk about
military matters. TO the reporter he
said: ut is the policy of the State to
have small but efficient companies at as
many different places as possible, rather
than have many large companies with
much beating of drums and lutter of
feathers. There are now tifty-five COM
panies in thirty different towns. and APP
plications are pending for several more.
The troops are we'll organized and
good service. They have been called
out twelve or fifteen times during the
last six months and are always prompt.
''We always anticipate trouble and be
on hand in time to save bloodshed
Many instances during the last few
years can be pointed out where meal
culablc good has done in the protection
of life and property. All the mayors
Richmond has had for number of
years have said that the troops have
saved the city much by making it I'M
necessary to maintain larger police
force
II have inspected the troops in the
Valley of Virginia, in the Piedmont
section and in some places in the South
west, and find them in Il good condition"
''Mhat is the condition of the military
as compared with previous years?'
81 don't know as there is any great
contrast between this year and last. but
there has been more interest and a con-
slant improvement during the last five
years. and we have Il much more credit
able militia than five years ago. We
are doing fairly we'll, but need more
money.
The State appropriates $4,000 year
which is about 50 per head for the 5000
troops. Virginia seems not yet, to have
realized the Importance of sustaining
good militia New York and Pcnnsyl-
vania lost heavily by the strikes
and riots OF 1877. They had
poor militia then. New York
now has $4,000 soldiers. and the State
alone appropriatcs for their maintcn-
ance 100000 annually. besides which
the cities make large appropriations.
Pennsylvania has 10000 troops that re-
ceive 100000. Property holders, when
they pay taxes, have q right to expect
their property protected. and even the
presence of we'll organized company
often prevents trouble. With more
money there would be better service.
IF the question of a larger appropria-
ton was agitated do you think any
thing could be accomplished?"
''Hes, II the military men throughout
the State were to make we'll organized
effort, with the assistance of the press,
II much larger amount could be secured"
'.IIow does the Roanoke Light In
fantry compare with companies in the
State?"
1T compares favorably with any in
the State and especially with the new
companies. 1t is one of the largest,
having received permission from the
Governor to increase its membership
beyond the regular limit of 60. 1t is also
one of the best EQUIPPED, having the
most improved guns. the same as are
used in the United States army. If you
ever have any trouble, with these guns
the line can be drawn up on a Hill out Of
all reach and disturbers of the peace cut
down with case. They shoot mile.
Roanoke should be proud of her fine
company and sustain it nobly Most of
the towns render aid to their troops and
Roanoke should do likewise
At this point Col. Henry c. Jones,
commander Of the first regiment, COM
posed Of the six companies of Richmond
remarked: This company is worth
more to the town than twenty-five
policemen"
Col. Stearne continued: 'There should
be more than one company here. Then
there would be sort of rivalry and
| more interest. We are interested in
Southwest Virginia because we realize
that ii is the growing section of the
State, and arc glad to see as much in
tercst as is displayed in the militia.
Capital is seeking investment here and
the more protection offered the better
the inducements. The men who are
looking out for investments realize the
importance of ample means for the pro-
lection of property and always inquire
about these things"
ADVERTISED LETTERS.