Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-07-23

not making the best record in the world
for subordination and discipline, if all
reports are true that are waited from
the encampment.
In yesterdays REGISTER, we note the
following sQuibs in the correspondence
from the camp:
The occupants of the guard house num-
bered an even forty. Another soldier VINO
tried 10 steal past the guard received d
painful baYOnet wound.
The patrol guard sent 70 The city to-day
arrested quite number OF men VINO hau
evaded tue guard and got into Town
Among them was one officer, who was IN
toxicated.
This looks bad enough and indie ates
that something is out Of whack, but it
has nothing like the significance of the
following extract from Thursdays Par
kersburg Sentinel:
It was an amusing sight to see some Of
the bows escape from the camp. me sen
tries are often quite distance apart ana
those who desired to escape would stand
about undor the shade Of big oak near tue
uDper end OF the camp and would get a
crowd OF BOYS TO get up as near the guard
line as they could. Then, when the guards
back was turned half-a-dOzen or more OF
them would make a dash through Jne
the crowd into an unused neld VITA
heavy growth OF weeds. Once there they
could dodge through 10 corn nelo anu
then over to tho pike and into town tney
would come. over hundred soldiers II
is estimated escaped during the day.
They came down town and had glorious
time and some OF them staid out all night
They would use the same tactics In getting
back into camp, and we saw two OF them
last evening make dash out Of the neld
when the guards back was turned and slip
in between the tents. Each OF them nau
gallon Jug in has possession. Many Qthers,
including the sOl0lerS, saw the oOlu ofeaA,
but the guard didn't FrOoaoly NC was III
terested in the jug.
The REGISTER is in favor Of Ma
tional Guard, aud in favor Of an annual
encampment but it is not in favor Of
grand annual spree, as some of the
high privates, and perhaps few OF the
subordinate officers, think it ought to
be. Such conduct under the circum-
stances is outrageous and deserves the
severest punishment. II is not the
States intention or the taxpayers IN
derstanding Of an annual encampment
of the militia that there shall be such
carvings on. The purpose is TO initiate
the men into the methods and ways Of
martial life, and to familiarize them
with active duty in case Of emergency.
This cannot be done even fairly well
when discipline is so lax.
The REGISTER does not believe the
fault is with the commanding officer or
his staff. They no doubt realize the
unpleasant features Of the situation
and have done all they could to pre-
serve the rules governing camp life.
The cause primarily is in the law gov
erning the State militia, If we are to
have competent State guard that
will command the proper respect
there must be sufficient power and
penalties provided to maintain discip-
line and enforce obedience.
Again, it is unwise to select a spot
for the encampment near large town.
The temptations to disobey orders are
great, and the strictest martinez
that ever lived cannot enforce thorough
discipline. Some quiet, healthy spot,
as far away from the enticements Of a
town as possible, should be selected.
In such a place the officers will not be
worried beyond measure in executing
orders from their superior officers, nor
will the men think they are treated
harshly or misused in 90 eyiug them.
General SpLSlAS and his staff, who
are making an earnest and commenda-
bic effort TO build up a guard that will
be a credit to the State, should have
their hands strengthened by proper
legal provisions, sucn as providing for
thoroughly adequate commissary,
proper pay TO she private while on duty,
and adequate punishment for violation
OF rules, etc. Until such amendments
are made TO the law, we cannot expect
TO have a satisfactory State National
Guard