Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-18
ARMS FOR THE NATIONAL GUARD
Ssn- Howard Urges That They BE Supplied
Quickly With New Guns.

Quickly with New Gums.
Gen. o.. o. Howard, L. s. A., commanding
the department Of the east. in his annual report
makes some important recommendations to the
Secretary Of War regarding the National Guard
Of the United States
He says: The militia under its new name OF
National Guard has reached degree Of excel
lence never before attained. This body Of citi-
zen soldiers IL not only useful in maintaining
order In the several states but it will be Of the
highest value 10 the general government in
case Of hostilities in guarding important points
pending the formation Of volunteer army. 1t
e certainly entitled to generous aid from the
national treasury.
AT present the government contributes rela
lively a very mach smaller sum than it did
eighty OF ninety years ago. when the militia
vas Lacking in proper organization and disci-
pline. The annual appropriation OF 800 600
might well be increased to sl,OOOOOO- But,
whether this be done or not, 1 re-
spectfully but urgently invite your attention to
the propriety and necessity Of providing at
the next session OF Congress for a rearmarnent
OF the entire National Guard at the same time
the new infantry arm Is furnished TO the army
1T will be many years before the miitia can
be supplied with the new rifles. The result Will
be that during this period one portion will be
armed with guns of fifty caliber. another with
forty-fvo and still another with the new caliber
Of thirty or 'airty-two.
'.shoGi. .nese troops be called ont during this
period. great confusion must result In attempt
ing TO supply them with ammunition
1T Ia Of the utmost importance that the
National Guard should have the same arms and
use the same ammunition as the regular army,
AID therefore strongly recommend that pro-
vision be made IN the estimates Of the War
Department for purchasing or manufacturing
the new arms and issuing them to the National
Guard simultaneously with their issue to the
army"
HOMESTEAD. BUFFALO AND COAL CREEK.
Gen. Howard reviews the operations of tine
militia at Homestead. Buffalo and Ccal Greek,
all Of which are in the department Of the east,
and says:
I'm every case during the disturbances the
National Guard responded with prompttude
and bore themsel in a sOldierly manner.
The slightest evidence Of trsitorous conduct
was summarily and decidedly punished and
deeds Of cool bravery characterized the COM
Raander Of the forces in Tennessee.
These instances demonstrate the excellent
condition of the National Guard, its readiness
for action and its ability to cope with serious
difficulties That local outbreaks and lawless-
ness Of such serious nature be and are
readily put down and adjusted by local civil
authorities. supported by the local militia
organizations. Is surely n sign of healthful gov
ernment, both parties being composed Of men
living under the same conditions and the law
abiding class main tanning control
ITO call on regular United States forces TO
quell minor disturbance IL sometimes open to
criticism outside interference, and often
causes bitterness Of feeling against the common
protector, the general government. The reg
Mar United States forces always ready TO
step in when the interests of the government
plainly require them and may well be looked
upon a. a proper reserve to be used at such
places necessity demands when the state
forces, civil and military, are unable to master
the situation.
Il wish, il possible. to enhance the common
dalton Of the action of the various commanders
of The National Guard of the several states in
this department for their excellent work and the
success achieved"
OPPOSED TO cASrEESs.
Gen. Howard does not commend the system
Of eanteens at posts. He saws:
The post exchange in the department pre-
rents the appearance Of a small country store
or refre-htnent room in all the premises except
IN the room where beer il served.
when one enters this he is Immediately met
with disagrceable odCr-. The impression is
irresistible that here beer is easily and cheaply
procured, so that it il constantly forced upon
the attention OF the enlisted men. He
J.. indeed. always tempted to indulge
IN Its use Commanding officers have
generally agreed with me that II would be well
10 abolish the -ale Of this beer entirely and to
substitute for II other beverages.
There seems, as / have before reported. n
great objection to having soldier in the uni
form of the United States behind counter
dealing out beer like "a barkeeper in a comnon
resort
The commanding officers without exception
object 10 this II there must be a barkeeper
In the service they should be hired for that pur-
poe. Just now under the present system SOL
diers appear to be more generally led 10 drink
and 90 the ofenses that 60 with drinking than
under the old suffer and post trader systems. -
Il am strongly convinced by the actual ex-
pertinent that while few d-unkards are mod
Grated in their affection by strong beer the re-
naming soldiers who fall under temptation
are worse of. and that military offenses are
rather increased in number and aggravation."
SANITARY CONDITIONS.
The report referring 20 the sanitary condi-
tons SAYS that Washington ID. c. bar
hacks had the third largest sick report OF all
the posts. with 6i5 admissions To the hospital.
Fort Moaroe next with so admissions.
Washington barracks suffered most with
malsrial diseases. there being 100 cases, a ratio
of Ills 20 1000. which leads the list Of all