New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-29
NATIONAL GUARD AFFAIRS.
THE MEMBERS OF THE OLD GUARD WERE WELL
TREATED AT CHICAGO--THE INSPECTIONS
A LETTER TO COMMANDER MILLER.

TREATED AT CHICAGO-THE INSPECTIONS
LETTER TO COMMANDER MILLER.
Some OF the Chicago papers seemed to think that
the members of the Old Guard were not treated 10
we'll as they ought to have been while they were
In Chicago. Strange to say the members OF that orr
gan.zation disagree with the Chicago papers. The
Herald of that city had this to say editorlaliy
about the matter a few days
Their treatment was a reflection on the hospt-
tally of Chicago and particularly that OF the local
militia. Churlishness toward invited guests Is .
bird that comes home to roost and Chicago militia
men will do well to carry their ratons with them
when they next have occasion to visit the East"
Members of the organization when their atten-
ton was called to this article. seemed to be some.
what surprised that anything Of the sort should ap.
pear. In fact they had complaint to make
whatever On the day they arrived. they said. the
1st Regiment of Chicago waited at the railroad
station six hours for them and escorted them to the
Grand Pacific Hotel, where they made their head
quarters during the stay in Chicago. On the next
day the Hussars escorted them about the grounds
Those with whom the reporter talked said they had
not heard a single word of complaint.
After Lieutenant Scheutze OF the Navy had ex.
pressed his mind about the Naval Reserves Of this
city in a way not intended to please the New
Workers. Commander Miller wrote to the depart-
ment and said that he thought the report OF the
Lieutenant somewhat severe. Commander
Miller received a reply from Assistant Secretary
McAdoo which ought to have wide publicity This
letter in full Is follows:
Sir In r,lyIng 10 your letter addressed to the Secr,.
tary and bearing date 10th have the honor
to say could be further from tn intention Of
the department detIact in wise from tn i'm
Iortancc the Naval Militia as now established by law
m the various States.
me rel ort Lieutenant w. H. Scheut,c made
the suit OF hi inspection NewYork battalion
have very much misunderstood by members OF tho
Naval Militia their friends. and ~ portion OF the
public press. regret exceedingly that any such mis-,
construction should have been placed Oh Lieutenant
schcut,cs report.
Suggestions IL is true made In that report d
how in his opinion the Naval Militia in aid other
could be made t1cln These, however, are
matters OF detail.
The department IS fully alive under
listing conditions you are your letter subjects
to dual supervision OF the Sath and National Govern.
without any 2ed harmony tetween the powcrs
On hand you will readily grant think, that the
this department largely In the nature Of
things from your efficiency seagon2 fore. ANY,
thing that tends bege such efficiency VIII have the moss
hearty cooperation Of all connected with this department.
value OF your organization purely naval force
need not however conflict with military drills special
instructions as military body on land having regard 70
actions along shore.
In the nature OF small portion OF the time d
the Naval Militia be spent board ship at sea- ana
therefore by the larger part Of It's time would quite
likely and properly be given tactics OF Infantry and
light artillery existing conditions and laws 10
would be idle TO cay dual character
ganlzation.
For many reasons far the Federal authorities are
concerned the fostering Of the Naval
Militia appropriation Of the Of Congress was
intended becet for emergency body OF disciplined
and more experienced who could take their
places board the nghtng ships OF the United States IN
time OF
To this end, since coming the office. with the active
and hearty cooperation Of the officers attached thereto We
been united in am that at least once year every
man all par,, TIE United States enrolled In the Suite
Militia shall spend least week In active SERVED
at board commissioned ship oil the Navy. thereby
gaining only experience OF seafarng life. but soma
degree OF efficiency the important OF all service on
board a man-of-war-pactec In the handling Of modern
guns
1 could not, IL would, exaggerate the Importance
which 1 attach to the Naval Militia a whole.
long exposed including the great lakes,
together difficulty attending the enlistment Of
experienced sailors owing the present condition Of
the merchant marine, has made the department exc
ccedingy anxious this body shall receive the gem
crous support and local authorities and In.
erase every year in number and practical efficiency UNTIL
aside from being military organization, it can safely
De that it is capable in an emergency OF being
into naval reserve upon "hich thc country ean
place reliance.
The artmcnt i Impressed with the annual cruise
that preparations now being made for one snip,
large. commodous and with proper armament 70 %
especially assigned the duty of taking on board ~
various times for drill the members OF the Naval Militia
organ zaticn Of the various states
SO far as the organization OF NewYork is concerned
no one has a higher respect for the personnel than
Rave nor it been the intention OF Lieutenant scheuIe
or this department any way directly or indirectly, v
make any statement would De considered derogatory
To its zeal 10 the country or its Willingness "a
Undergo sne Iabors requisite To fit it for service.
The following tables show the result OF the IN
spections in the First Brigade which have been
held thus far:
SIN REGIMENT.
Present Absent. Total