Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-12
COL. POPE,s SUGGESTION.
He Wants Congress to Establish . Militia
Department.


Department.
Col. Albert A. Pope OF Boston Is convinced
that the militia of this country needs uniform
ity OF organization and law, and next December
proposes to have bill introduced in Congress
TO obtain this
Col. Pope, to ascertain the opinions Of others
in regard to this matter sent the following let
ter to the adjutant generals Of the various
states and to men whose judgment in military
affairs is considered excellent:
Sir: have the honor to ask your opinion Of the
the several states me:oEiazins Congress the sub
pspsrs Ssias Is m ~. min, % .ne
ment This department to be under the control Of
Of the rank OF br.sadier general. Who shall have
suitable staff the chief and stat g be Officers 4 the
promote the effcisnry of the militia.
II Is believed that department Of this Kind would
equipment dill. tiectiyensss and vsige e The
,nent the national militia would become a homoxe-
neos body OF soldiers o; far greater value than pos
throughout the Union
me STATE orTanizai,c and state command would be
the same at present. ne governor OF each state be-
ing the commsnaes n-chief of the militia and having
principally to secure 70 the state greater sdyanta-s Of
uniformity % 1rganization ssnirment and drill and
ness would he TO advise and instruct the militia
lead TO the augmentation Of the present appropriation
Will you kindly call the attention of some of the
tie spbjets should be pleased to learn your views
opinions be received TO Justify it. memorial viii be
prepared and circulated for signature.
Boston, Mass '''''e> ALBERT A. POPE.
The letter attracted favorable attention, as
the following replies show:
In reply IN your letter beg to that the
plan 10 establish militia department meets with
hearty and everything within my power
viii b. c9ntr,euted toward The reaiiIat q the
for the bes, Interests Of the mili.is of the
ss,e' 70 place the head e h. pTo0ssd
army. 1 should favor the appointment Of an
of spplicstion. had become fully and thoroughy
formed as to what laws enactments and rerulatiOns
the National Guard service demanded Very re.pect-
Springfield Ill. Adjutant General"
II beg to acknowledge your communication of June
ID TAKE pleasure in assuring You that snch move,
shall take pleasure in cooperating In any move
that may be inaugursted to secure the desired
GEORGE GREENE.
Adjutsnt General"
Il have the honor 70 acknowledge the receipt Of
establishment Of militia department at The War
II am heartily in favor Of the movement. and am
OF the OPINION that we can never have e tno7pshly
department. established which viii have direct
intercourse ana feel special interest that
Wa Department for the ofhcers there have Always
I shown themselves ready and willing 20 encourage
the national guard o. our state. and have been
courteous To in all matters, but that de-
partnen has enough 70 look after IN their regular line
Of work and under their present system cannot devote
that active interest in the state militia which their
wants and present conditions demand Weshould have
department with q corps Of ofcer whose only duty
should be 10 ooA after the efficiency and supplies
a talk with several of the officers at the War De-
partment in relati 10 this subject. and also with
the Secretary Of War; and the idea meets with their
| hearty approval much so that the Sc Rotary Of
War has established a bureau Of information Tor
the militia. which Is doing good work for u, and
which WILL AIN sure, demonstrate the Necessity of
establishing sucha department suggest, and
should be glad to see You with the effort until
secure that cooperation between the general
government and the several states and between each
equipped and efficiently disciplined militia have
the nSnor to o yeyy respectfully B ~ oALEi
Replying to yours Of late date In reward 10 a sre
ts ans sS Ss .n as II TIE
Join in sny Con the art of the general govern
menDto benefit the National Guards Of the states
firmly be eye that IN coursa of time the general
Of the country has been NEGLECTED In the place Of
500 600 appropriation Nee 81 600 900. Respect
Knoxville. Tenn
Il beg acknowledge rocairt Of your comm lnira-
tion. and 20 say that am in favor of any movement
condition credit 10 any country and the manstay Of
the government in peace or Yet IL has legal
status as national force This Is not only unjust
CHAS. \. CLARK,
New York. Editor Sepenth Regiment Gazette
.