New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-29
NATIONAL GUARD AFFAIRS.
PROPOSED CHANGE OF THE MILITARY
CODE
THE PROPOSED REORGANIZATION OF THE STATE
MILITIA-vAuoUs ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE PROPOSED REORGANIZATION OF THE STATE
MILITIA-vAMoUs ENTERTAINMENTS.
The most salutary piece of legislation which has
been put forward in long time is the proposed change
in the Military Code, which has for its object the
suppression of liquor selling and gambling within one
mile OF the State Camp at Peekskill. The camp
grounds were dsgured last year by hucksters stand
and besides this barroom was established In an
exceedingly conspicuous place at tile edge Of the
main parade ground. The proposed amendment makes
Section 80 OF the Military Code read as follows:
The commanding officer at any parade drill
campnsnt may cause those under his command to
perform any military duty lie shall require, and may
place in arrest for the time Of such parade drill or
encampment any officer enlisted man who shall
disobey the orders of his superior officer in any
way interrupt the exercises and also any other per-
persons who shall trespass on the camp grounds.
parade or armory, in any way manner interrupt
or modest the orderly discharge Of duty of those
under arms who shall disturb prevent the passage
Of troops going to or returning from any regularly
ordered parade drill or encampment. lie may also
prohibit and prevent the sale of all sprtuous
liquors, wine, ale beer, the holding OF huckster
or auction sales and all gambling within the limits OF
such parade encampment. or within such limits
not exceeding mile therefrom he may prescribe
And such commanding officer may, in his discretion.
summarily abate common nuisances all such sales
Of liquor wine ale beer huckster or auction sale
and gambling within the limits Of such parade or en-
campment or such prescribed limits. No parade,
etc.,
The experience Of last year was ample 10 prove the
wisdom Of this proposed legislation, and 1t VIII be
pity II the bill does not become law The full text
of the BILL the object of which is to form all the
National Guard forces in this state into one division,
reads follows:
s.The Governor as COMMANDMENT Chief OF the National
Guard and of the militia is authorized ana empowered
to appoint the officers in the first instance necessary
to begin complete any organization created under
this act but not sufficiently organized for an eecuon
Tie National Guard shall be organized in one division
and as many brigades as the COmmander-in Chief may
elect and to the division there shall be one major
general and TO each brigade one brgadier general,
whose STATS shall be provided hereinafter Tile
tactical instruction of the National Guard shall be
the special province of the major general commanding
the DIVISION and his headquarters shall be In the city
Of Albany and il lie be detailed also to perform the
duties of the adutant general of the State, he shall
in every respect enjoy the rights and privileges Of
such Office"
Comments have already been made in these columns
upon this bill The Senate and Assembly Committees
on Military Affairs gave Joint public hearing on tho
bill on Thursday. General Robert s. Oliver, OF the
Third Brigade, is reported to have appeared before
the committee to argue in favor of the Dill ana
Generals Fitzgerald of the First Brigade, and McLeer
Of the Second Brigade, appeared in opposition 10 IL.
The dispatches giving General DIVERS reasons LOT
wishing the bill to become law put the proposed
legislation in a peculiar light than before.
General Oliver reported saying that the clause en-
abling the Major-Ceneral TO act as AdjutantGenera
was merely to prevent a change in tile ONCE OF Ad'
jutant- General before January l. 1o02
That reason is not good The National
Guard has worried along, and even tfrlVed, Tor hve
years without the assistance Of aaior-General ana II
can do so nine months longer without trouble.
20 &c have General
Porter appointed MaorGeneral, it can be done at tho
end OF the year. when his tenn of Office as Aduant-
General expires If there is any necessity for the Dill
at all II can be made to take effect on January l. loo.'
instead Of Immediately and then the obnoxious clause
can be omitted The only color OF excuse for the OH
is that it makes ii obligatory upon the Governor 70
organize the militia into one division, while, as the
law now stands, he may may not so organize IT IN
his discretion The object evidently is to have General
Porter apponted by Governor Hill before he goes OUT
of Office for fear that Governor HIPS successor may
appont some one else. Then, with law on tls
statute books which says that the National "uasd
shall, be organized into one division, the power 10
dsband the division organization would be taken out
of the hands OF future Governors This would clearly
conflict with the present Military Code winch gives
the Governor power disband eosanize, ETC., to his
rsmembers perhaps where the provision of tho
Military code mentioned cohicted with anotet secuoD
The cort in interpreting the law decided in favor OF
the Governor and il might be a question whether or
nnt II world do the same thing again should the ques
tion be raised Tie safest way certainly would De 10
repeal or modify the old law, II 1t II thought that tle
best interests of the National Guard would DC ct'su
by having division organization when c0uId ot %
abolished by the Governor. Ii IS Dad Dill IN any
2t and there does not seem 10 be any chance oi lS
becoming law in its present form ..,,,
THE Connecticut Guardsman,' semi nlohthly nidse
zine which has made its appearance wltf1h uIe lass
few months is an attractive publication ~ does no
as its name seems to imply restrict lt>cll 10 t.le Nd
tiOnal Guard Of the Nutmeg state uul has sMs "
general interest from all the States. Every menDer
of the National Guard who wishes to keep up WIN ue
times and have broad ideas about the militia forces
should read some such publication rs this one;
The 22d Regiment will introduce gaia week tomor
row night with a dress parade. review, concert ana
hall Mayor Grant has accepted the INVITATION 70 re-
view the regiment and after the review There VIII Ue
dress parade Then Gilmore will take charge OF aars
string band will furnish music for those VINO WISH 10
on Tuesday evening the 7th Regiment will entertain
its frends Brigadiereneral Louis Fitzgerald VIII re-
view the regiment and present INC crosses o. honS So,
long service Cappa's band will be on hand ana fus-
nlsh music throughout the evening" Niter thc fv'.e~
ard presentations over Cappas orchestra VIII iur'
| nish dance music. ,. -.-.,.. III, - ho,a
The oth Re giment Athletic Association vi" also hoi"
| ts the same evening.
The games of the 9TH Regiment Athleuc ASSOCIATION
| will be held on next saturday evening: .
| Tho o3d Regiment. of Brooklyn. VIII proDaDy oIei
tho state Camp at Pcelksk, on june Is ana the .tn
! Regiment will relieve the 23d June 20. The list
| Regiment will 60 to Pecisk on July ana the camp
will he closed by the 22d Regiment TINS part OF INC
| programme has been practically decided upon Dus
the dates for other regiments have not peeh nAs
| yet.
PLANS FOR AN 4LDERM4N'S FUNERAL.
| The Board of Aldermen held special meeting a.
D. m Yesterday take action concerning the deatn