The sun., 1892-02-09
Tho State Military Forces.


The exhibit OF the militia forces OF the
United States which has just been trans.
mitted to the House Of Representatives by
Mr.. Secretary ELKINs in compliance with
the law, shows a handsome gain In numbers
during the twelve months. and the largest
organized strength known for many year.
Five years ago the aggregate OF officers
and men for all the States and Territories.
as far as indicated by the latest returns to
the Adiutant-Gcnerals office. was 92.7s4.
Tho next year it had increased to 100. .s37.
although several Thousand OF the gain was
really due to fuller returns. Another
twelvemonth brought it up to l06.50G. Then
for two years there was apparently no net
gain. the returns OF last year showing an
aggregate Of O6.269: but 1t must be said
that there were some important lacks in
the statistics OF last February. However,
now. in reaching an aggregate Of 11O.71s.
the militia strength makes gratifying ad-
vance which it is likely to hold. 1t repre-
sents total of more than 100000 enlisted
men. including non-commissioned officers
and musicians.
We find, therefore. that there has been
an apparent gain in five years OF about
1900 men and a real gain in that period OF
at least $4,000. Perhaps more satisfactory
comparison can be made with the returns
OF four years ago. which were unusually full ;
and the gain then shown will be between
10000 and 1000. with proper allowances for
unreported statistics. II we add to the
present figures last years returns from
Idaho. North Dakota. and Washington.
whose statistics are now wanting. we shall
have an increase OF nearly 1000 over last
years aggregate. which was imperfectly
reported. and also an actual current aggre-
gate OF 1864. which must very nearly
represent the real strength Of the organ
lied State forces to-day.
As usual. the Secretary OF War lays be-
fore the House also memorandum OF the
estimated strength OF the unorganized mil
itary forces. This takes in the male popu-
lation capable of bearing arms within what
are considered the military ages. The esti-
mates are founded upon the census statis-
tics. and. Of course. grow steadily with the
population. Tho figures for the present
year reach s.567.25s. and. II some omitted
States were included. they would exceed
100000. Several millions could be de.
Quoted for exemptions from various causes.
aud still leave a very imposing remainder
from which to form u volunteer army in
case of need.
Turning to the individual States. New
York leads the column with her aggregate
OF 1859. followed naturally by Pennsyl-
vania. with s.469. But it would puzzle most
people to guess in a good many trials what
State holds the third place. 1t is South
Carolina. with 5.6l6. followed sharply by
Massachusetts, with 5.5ll and Ohio with
S.S7s. The sixth State. also. might not gen.
orally be guessed. it being Georgia. with
A.577. and next is Illinois. with A.sS9 Close
upon the heels OF this last. and showing a
most credltabe military zeal In proportion
70 population. come New Jersey with 4.2S3
and California with 4.2lS.
After these leaders there is q decided
break. but tenth on the list comes Texas.
which. aided by her rangers for Rio Grande
protection and her crack companies for
prize drills. reaches the creditable aggre-
gate OF S.S6S officers and men. She is fol-
lowed by Alabama with 2.96s. Virginia with
2,S44, Connecticut with 2.6S7. Wisconsin with
2.7S7, Michigan with 2.5l5. and SO on down
. the line. Tho District of Columbia. where
the military spirit runs high. deserves
special mention. since it supports l.4ls
troops. and Maryland has n very creditable
1904, whereas Missouri shows but ASST. with
two and half times Maryland's popula-
ton. The 1.5O6 OF Oregon Is also noticeable.
like the l.As4 Of Rhode Island. whereas Ten