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

Sen- Howard Urges That They BE Supplied
Quickly with New Guns.
Gen. o. o. Howard, L. =. A., commanding
the department Of the east. in his annual report
maAes 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-
Een soldiers IL not only useful in maintaining
order In the several states but it will be Of the
hixhes, value TO the general government in
case Of ho-tiliti.- in guarding important points
pending the formation Of volunteer army. Ii
g. certainly entitled to generous aid from the
national treasury.
at present the government contributes res-
lively a very mach smaller sum than IL did
eighty or ninety years ago. when the militia
vas lacking in proper organization and disci-
pine. The annual appropriation oi 800 600
might well be increased 10 sl.OOO,OOO- 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 rearmanent
of the entire National Guard at the same time
the new infantry arm i furnished 20 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
fOrtv-fvc Asd still another with the new caliber
of thirty or 'hirty-tWO.
sShoGis. -nese troops be called ont during this
period great confusion must result IN attempt
ing TO supply them with ammunition
1T il Of the utmost importance that the
National Guard should have the same arms and
use the same ammunition rs the regular army
and ! 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 the
militia at Homestead. Buffalo and Coal Creek,
AL Of which are IN the department. of the east
ard says:
I'm every case during the disturbances the
National Guard responded with promptitude
and bore themselves IN a sOldierly manner.
The slightest evidence Of traitorous conduct
v.- summarily and decidedly punished and
deeds Of cool bravery characterized the COM
nzDder Of the forces in Tennessee
These instances demonstrate the excellent
condition of the National Guard, its readiness
for action and its ability 10 cope with serious
difficulties That local outbreaks and lawless-
ness Of such serious nature can be and are
readily put down and adjusted by local civil
authorities, supported by the local militia
organizations. il 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
TO call on regular United States forces to
quell minor disturbances Is sometimes open 10
criticism outside interference, and often
causes bitterness OF feeling against the common
protector. the general government. The reg
Mar United States forces are always ready TO
step in when the interests of the government
plainly require them and may well be looked
upon ~ q 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
dation Of the action of the various commanders
of che National Guard of the several states in
this department for their excellent work and the
success achieved"
OPPOSED TO CANTEENS.
Gen Howard does not commend the system
Of cnnteens at posts. He saws:
The post exchange in the department pre-
sent the appearance Of a small country store
or refre-hment room in all the premises except
In the room where beer l. served
when one enters this he il Immediately met
With disagreeable odcrs. The impression is
irresistible that here beer is easily and cheaply
procured. so that it j. constantly forced upon
the attention Of the enlisted men. He
l.. indeed. always tempted to indulge
IN Its Use. Commanding officers have
generally agreed with me that II would be well
90 abolish the -ale Of this beer entirely and to
substitute for il other beverages.
There seems. as / have before reported. a
great objection to having a soldier in the uni
form OF the United States behind counter
dealing cut beer ike barkeeper in a COMMON
resort
The commanding officers without exception
object 10 this II there must be a bsrkeeper
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 Ia drink
and 90 the ofenses that go with drinking than
under the old suffer and post trader systems. -
Il am strongly convinced by the actual eX-
pertinent that while few d-JInkards 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 sggravatIon-"
SANITARY CONDITIONS.
The report referring 20 the sanitary condi-
tions saws that Washington ID. e. bar
rAeks had the third largest sick report Of all
the posts. with SIS admissions To the hospital.
Fort MonrOe was next. with SD admissions.
Washington barracks suffered most with
malarial diseases. there being 100 cases, a ratio
of III - 10 1000. which leads the lis, Of all
the posts in the department. Of the east