The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-02-28
Z mrIDrov ron TEE MILITIA.
tn MN or Mr. tsttlse for HsereasinG the
AS...S a y,e~wvss tso~ 90 the National Guard


tn MN Of NJ. csstiss for lseress'.s the
Aksssi ApprSprsatis~ 90 the National 6usrd
WASHINGTON. Feb. 27.-The last annual re-
mort OF the War Department suggested that
the regular appropriation OF 100000 which
Congress- makes for arming and cauipping tho
militia OF tho States is not properly divided be-
cause Il gives to each State an amount pro-
port Tomato to its representation In Congress-.
Mr.. Proctor thought that tho money should be
divided rather upon tho bnsis Of the effective
force of tho National Guard maintained BY the
several States.
This would certainly furnish new illustra-
ton Of the familiar experience that to him that
hath shall be given. It would also carry out
the policy OF helping those that help them.
selves, and yet It might undo much OF the best
work accom- plished by the present system.
Heading object Of the militia appropriation
from the Federal Treasury is to encourage the
organization OF bodies OF clifton soldiery
whore they would otherwise DO neglected and
nre still weak in numbers or efficiency. Tho
National Guard as It exists to-day Is not tho
militia OF the Constitution nor anything like
II. Il Is not tho militia contemplated in the
statute OF 1903. which set apart 100000 for
its support. It is body organized in each
State under Its own laws. and now succeeding
to that appropriation. doubled In recent years.
in virtue OF It's furnishing an admirable
substitute for the much larger but loose
ly constructed militia fabric OF the
early days OF tho century. that fell to
pieces from It's own cumbrous and un-
supported weight. There need be no anxiety
about raising. in time OF need. as large vol
unteer army as this country will ever require.
What is moro Immediately important is to
secure q general organization OF militia. OIL
Client as far as It goes. In every State and Ter
ritory. The good wrought by the law as It
stands Is to be found not 80 much In States
like New York. which would support their
militia without any appropriation from Con-
gress, and to which. in fact. that appropriation
other States which might neglect their n mill.
Ito did not All annual supply OF arms and
eautpments under md the law Of ConEress sug
Regiments to use them.
Tho bill now introduced by Mr.. Cutting into
amount annually appropriated by Congress So 10
the the. militia, has ne merit 81 not imposiny
as on tine o.
Hres would exact. One Of its stipuiations Is
that every organisation not excused by the
heavy artillery drill at least Ave CONSECUTIVE
IN each
an because the Governor Of tho State may
in camp Or as many armory drills as ne chooses.
ample would not accept her proportion Of the
appropriation. Il she he'd to change her whole
az Tor eaeh
organization t2 an annual tour there. Possibly
also; IA some States where annual camps ore
Tsls " ony S% Ono Instance S s{S the
ties encountered in making hard and fast con-
again. unaer The
aythorifed to eal TIE militia int the service
period not exceeding nine months. and to SUBJ
ject them to the same rules and articles OF war
as the regulars, giving them the same pay and
to and from the rendezvous Is to be counted as
g day Of service. Mounted men are to receive
e P Ra ss.t 5 Ros hs Eli I'd
battle or dying Of baltic wounds It is further
provided that any ofiiser or man who refuses
court martial. to be composed Of militia off,
Gers only. As to these various provisions: 1t is
pear to DO practically essential. The expert
sc % rssdy to- s oS S2 to T sasSs oa
Of the laws and the preservation Of the peace
doubtedly be relied upon to do it's part until
Volunteers could 70 o,ganized. and 4 e PR:
condticns On t tRis SUD; eos A''o'' 'u''ef
Still another stipulation is that an annualln-
spection o., each organization In tho state
that an army officer shall also be assigned for
attendlng. any militia encampment on applt-
ment: Ali this is Just about what occurs now
certainly SO far as the army inspector Is con-
cerned.
The pending bill really therefore amounts to
little more than increasing the present appro:
priation from S4Oo.0O0 to 81 .OOO.!OO. and
ditlonal form. There is almost no chance Of
its success at the present session. because
there is no special need OF such an increase at
hardly undertake to do in this respect what
the billion Congress declined. Perhaps the
bill might have better chance next winter: