The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-08
Tho Militia in Riots.

The decision reached by Governor PATTI
SON on Wednesday in regard to the employ
ment OF the National Guard in the Home
stead labor troubles is important and
suggestive. Sometimes on such occasions
there is an immediate appeal for aid to the
military machinery OF the Federal Gov
eminent. This, for example. was recently
the case in the new State Of Wyoming.
although there the disturbances had led to
much less bloodshed than in Fennsylra-
mia. But Governor PATT1soN not only
took no steps during the sharp fighting OF
Wednesday to call for the regulars. but let
It be known that even the State military
forces must be held back until 1t should be
clear that the civil authorities had exerted
themselves TO the utmost, and were unable
to keep the peace. 1t is evident that troops
called out under such circumstances would
feel that there could he no just cause OF
complaint against their intervention.
Pennsylvania has imposed remarkable
amount OF riot duty upon her organized
militia in the last twenty years. She has
Lot called upon them so often. 1t is true. as
some other States. Iowa, for example. has
had out her troops for riot duty twenty
times in the last sixteen years. and Texas
mas LUu ltIS CUl lNtulg bllACS, " uiC
both are outdone by Virginia. which
reports thirty-three such calls in ten
years. But Pennsylvania probably sur
passes all other States. certainly all upon
which reports were made last year. In the
extent and expense Of her riot duty since
the civil war. In 1875 she had out / 800 men,
from April to May IS. at cost to the State
Of $4,000: in 1877 she had out 9,453 men.
between July 10 and Nov. Is. at a cost OF
$1,000 while last year there were 900 men
out. between April and May &c. at a cost
OF $35, $50. In 1875 and 1891 the occasions were
mining troubles: in 1877 the great railroad
riots occurred. to which mining disturb
ances were added.
However. Pennsylvania has a large and
very efficient force Of National Guardsmen
to call upon. 1t comprises 5S5 commits
stoned officers and 1886 enlisted men. max
ing an aggregate Of S.444. and being sur
passed in numbers only by New York. Capt.
RAMSAY Of the Second Artillery. one OF the
regular officers appointed to inspect the
camp at Mount Gretna. in 1890. reported
that 1.-The present admirable system OF
the National Guard OF Pennsylvania
is the logical sequence OF top
heavy organization that the unhappy
disturbances OF 1877 showed TO be Ineffective
and faulty" Capt. SEARS Of the Engineers.
another inspecting officer. declared that
1.-The State can. with forty-eght hours
notice. put into the field at almost any point
within its limits division Of 5000 men. well
armed. fairly equipped. and properly Or
| ganized. which. on taking the field. will be
much superior to any volunteer brigade or
+ L
went still further:
-Iino- of other State. unless It Be New Yorf,
tia, can pu, into the Geld shor. notice large
80 well equipped Ant eff Glen; body OF men and
toub, any other State has as good organization
far .sAtesto the division stan and the !oS,;ic
| orsaE.zation."
| Col. CoRBIS called special attention to the
Military Code OF Pennsylvania. declaring it
to have 80 much merit that We unhesi-
tatingly submit it as in every way worthy
| Of consideration by other States"
All these points are suggestive and Inn
| portant at this time. Pennsylvania has.
| first. her civil authority. and her Governor
expects that to lie adequate to very grave
crisis. II force Of arms Is to be resorted to.
the State has ample resources in her own
organized militia forces TO preserve order
|
The variety Of active duty performed by
the National Guard OF late years in the
various States. as 1t appears In the
reports OF their respective Adjutant-
Generals. is also suggestive. Tho occa-
sions include election riots. the pre-
vention Of lynchings. the protection Of
ialls from mobs. the custody OF prisoners.
campaigning against hostile Indians. eject
ing sQuatters from public lands. protecting
property at great fires. guarding against
race troubles. and SO on. 1t is evident that
the Importance Of the organized militia In
our system OF government Is becoming
better appreciated. and that better under-
standing OF it's true sphere has been
reached. go that it may neither encroach
upon civil authority nor have its own pre-.
negatives trenched upon by an improper
resort to Federal forces.
The Great Convention OF the Faithful.
The great religious Convention. opened nj