New-York tribune., 1891-08-30

and money. The convention must be held In Wash
ngton while Congress is in session, that the
TONS action would DO brought prominently to the at
tention of the members of Congress-
The Naval militia idea is taking strong hold all over
the country. Even Vermont. with only Lake Cham
plain possible place to exercise is coming for
ward. The Legislature of that State is discussing .
bill for forming such organization. Considerabk
information the subject is given in the following
editorial, Which appeared In "The Burlington Free
Press" on August 27:
The Introduction Of bill in the Legislature proyid
State directs attention anew to subject which has
able favor in other States, and in view Of our proxim
western Vermont to attack by way Of water 1t Is not
without importance to Vermonters. The advantages
nucleus IN case Of an outbreak Of hostlIties on our
northern boundary do not need to be eeounted az
which underes the formation OF the National Guard.
The principal objection to the inception Of tho
project comes from outside the State in the shape OF
editorial paragraph In "The Springfield Republican"
In this relation "The Republican, says:
The retired naval officer Brattleboro VT. who is said
to entertain the scheme OF organizing naval militia force
in the towns the Vermont shore Of Lake Champan may
DO able TO enlist the support Of the State cca end effect
his purpose. but having his naval created he Will
experience much difficulty in aordng the suitable
portunitfes for training According arrangeme be-
the United states and Great Britain Effected 1917.
neither maintain Lake Champoin moro
than armed vessel and that craft shall not exceed 100
in burden and 1t shall be armed with but eghteen
pound Such vessel In these days would hardly
be adequate for the drill Of any naval however mod
est its organization and equipment might be- The best that
could bo done under circumstances would be ~ drill s
naval manen land and tat would not tend 70 arouse
enthusiasm the continued existence Of sueh
body.
II the Republican had taken the trouble to ascertain
Just what the method and means OF training q naval
militia are, II would not have made the above state
ment In opposition to the establishment OF such
force ON the Vermont shore OF Lake Champlan. As
has already been stated In these columns, the naval
militia are provided with facilities for training In tho
shape OF models OF the different parts OF SHIP nclud
Ing broadside and also with of instruction In
the duties OF sailors and gunners without actually
placing them shipooard. Nor Is this all. The men
each for actual practice and instruction on board
q vessel OF war. and thus placed In very fair
condition of training for service. So much for the
feasibility Of establishing naval militia In Vermont
The West has come forward with scheme for
Matchmaking" the military forces OF the different
States. II originated among Army officers at st.
Louis II In talking about the plan put forward
by these officers Yesterday General George W. wneae
said It ridiculous think that Congress could bo
induced to appropriate such as 81. 900 year
for each company OF sixty men more proposed
BY these officers. 1t took fifteen years he said 10 get
Congress TO increase the appropriation for the whole
National Guard from 100000 TO $40c 600 year He
did not think II would be good thing anyway II
such @ scheme could le got through Congress II
would be bad plan to have the present State forces
too closely under the supervision Of he Federal Gov
emment they were better of as they were nov.