Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-01-08
WHAT THE TROOPS HAVE COST
The State is Thus Far Not Out
a Cent.

The State is Thus Far Not Gu
Cent.
Report of Acknowledgement II. IL. Kenne,
as to the Condition of the Nationa
Guard of Delaware--So Suggestive
Figures and Some Seasonable Recon-.
mendations.
Stan Correspondence Of Gazette and Journa
DOVER, Jan. 6.-The biennial repor
of Acknowledgement r. r. Kenney ha;
been made to the governor and will by
him be transmitted to the Legislature
A summary is as follows:
The strength of the national guard, a:
per the returns just made, is 557 officers
and enlisted men. organized into one regi
ment of infantry, eight companies), and
one squadron of cavalry, 1.-TWO troopsl
am OF opinion, and would most respect
fully recommend, that the present organi.
cation of the infantry should be changed
BY abolishing the existing ragimental
formation, and instead formation of two
bnttallons of four companies each be made
rms could be done so that Companies A,
Y. l. and IL, of Wilmington and New
Castle, would form the First Battalion,
and the Kent and Sussex companies, b. y,
and G, would constitute the Second Bat
tallun, each of which to be commanded by
| lieutenant-cOlOnul. Then going a step
further and forming the two battalions
and the squadron into brigade, would
make the most perfect organization that
could be had
Many important changes are needed in
the present law, most of which do not in
volve question of money but of organi-
1 zatlon and governments; yet there is no
change more necessary than in the pro-
VISIONS making the appropriations. In
this regard the law should be so amended
as TO make an annual appropriation of a
| specific sum for all military purposes, the
said sum to be apportoned among the sew
eral military departments and expended
| by board of officers to be appointed by
the governor. AS to what should be the
annual sum so appropriated there may be
some difference of opinion, but from my
experience of -four years, and full knowi-
edge Of the wants and needs of the service,
and OF what in the way of military stores
has been obtained during this period, and
which are in store and ready for years of
future use, | should name $4,000 as the
sum, This amount would not be excessive,
or beyond what is necessary for the proper
maintenance of the guard.
In my last report | called attention to
the absolute necessity for state armory
or arsenal, and on this point l again urge
immediate action.
Tie law limiting the strength of the
guard TO ten l0) companies should be
changed, and the limit made In the num-
Der OF men, say not to exceed 1000 men.
The encampments of 1889 and 1890 were
held at Brandywine Springs few miles
west of Wilmington, and were each sue
cess as practical school and training of
the troops, The total expense of the en-
campment Of 1850 was Sf0050.27, and that
Of 1880, Sl4,23S03. The increased cost OF
these eneampments, one over the other, is
TO be accounted for by the increased
un1OIlut pf nppesGnry naJpv apJ svor,;s.,,
equipage purchased in each year, and
which are assets in hand, and should be
treated as credit on the total encampment
expenses.
Al the request of Lieutenant Brown
battalion of Delaware College cadets was
admittedto the encarnpment of 1880, acting
aS battery Of artillery under his command.
The presence of this organization added
much TO the encampment, and although
the cadets received no pay and were at the
expense of their own subsistence. thew
performed all military duty the same as \
inc regular state troops, and in n way that
reflected credit on their commander.
1t would be an excellent thing to have
the law SO amended as to include, under
proper conditions, these cadets in the reg
ular state organization, In this connection
desire to inform your eXcellency that the |
service rendered to me by Lieut. Brown
mas been invaluable, and that he has
company i'll the State at least once each
year, and some many times more. His con-
nectlon with the guard has been to pro-
mote its efficiency, and to him the entire |
service is under many obligations.
must again call your attention to the |
condition Of the papers which contain the |
military history Of the State, and express |
the hope that the Legislature may not fail |
to take prompt act.9n.
The records of the soldiers Of Delaware |
in the Revolutionary war the war of 1872, |
ana the Mexican war are at present nm. |
classified and stored in an old wooden case I
in the office Of Secretary Of State, where |
they are destined, in the end, to become |
lost or destroyed These are valuable as a
matter of state history, and some steps
should be taken to preserve them or their
contents.
The salary of the adiutant-general Is
500 per annum, sum less than enough
% pay his necessary expenses The fact is
the work that now has to be done by This
officer is worth a salary Of at least 81 500
per year.
It is most gratifying to be able to report
that thfee 81 the company organizations
have purchased or built armories.
In conclusion General Kenney shows
mat considering the money drawn from
me general government by this State for
me militia, amounting TO S46,351.61,
there is left, including interest, after de.
Quoting the expenses of all the encamp-
ments thus far held, balance due july
lst, 1891, Of Sl1, 1884, proving that
thus far the National Guard has not cost
the state cent. To this is added the
following comparative table showing
the cost of maintaining the militia in
various states: