The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-07-15
TROOPS BREAK CAMP.
Rhode Islands Citizen Soldiers Return
from the Tented Field.
GROUNDS At QUONSEq POINT
Compare Favorably with Any In the
Country-what the Onicers Say on
the subJect-One Incentive to Service
I'm the Brigade-Fun the Last Night
Under Canvas.
SPECIAL TO THE yyws.

SPECIAL TO THE NEWS.
STATE CAMP QUoNsET POINT. July 15.--
The day of all days in the year for he
Rhode Isla d militia is governors lay at
camp. Yesterday was n model governors s
day at Quonset Poinr. The weather was
all that could be desired. There were fair
maidens dressed in modest and becoming
costumes. There were equally fair
matrons equtly beco ming costu lines.
There were men dignity and men OF
rank and there were men In blue aud
gold evervwhere. The marque, tent was
comfortably filled. From the tents of
the regiments TO headquarters there
was line OF people but there was no
crowd anywhere. The people were to
the highest degree courteous and for
bearing and from the beginning to the
Q ID of the day nothing marred its entire
success.
The Governors Review.
The troops were drawn up for review
at $3.50 and the governor and his staff met
their escort, the brigadier general and
staff. near the middle or the parade
groun aud together they passed down
in front o. the lines aud back In the rear.
Then the governor took his reviewing
position ~ the side of he parad, ground.
The brigade marcned past and the review
was ended. IL scarcely lasted Fl teen
minutes, but 1t was AN imposing and
beautiful sight.
the horse OF the color-bearer OF the bri-
gade bee tme unmanageable and IL was
some miuutes befose it was finally re-
ducsd to submission and overlook the
reviewing officers. The line Of soldiers
extended from end 10 end OF the camp
IL they could def nd the states honor
should occasion ars'.
Governors Reception.
The governors reception was he'd i'm
mediately. It was attende by about
800. The invitations had been limited !
number but the Democratic tastes OF tie
governor could not brook the idea of ex-
clu ding anyone. and thou Ih there were
guards at the gate and doors, those en-
frances were practically open to tbs pub
lie. Nearly every one on the grounds
was told to c)me regardless of formally
written invitations and tickets, and
ernor aad hi' stan received his guests
in the center OF the tent, and
after a few pleasant words OF greeting
and hand shaking the fiicre substantial
part Of the eutertainment was serv.d.
The governor is model hand shaker.
his method. Thsre Is n courteous and
gentlemanly clasp OF the hands that is
hearty aud puts the new-co ner at his
case at once. Toe refreshments con-
sisted OF the usual salads and ices. The
reception lasted until the bugle sounded
the call for dress parada, after whicl
the governor and his guests departed.
Tho Camp Ground Praised.
II there was one subject that has en-
~f .xso ia Il -.
the week more than any on other it has
been the beauty of the camp ground,
There was not Il dissenting voice. Kind
the order of the day. Some visitors
were present who were not
only acquainted with the grounds
at Fra,nin9ham but also with
the camp grounds OF the states OF
Connecticut and New York. The Massa-
chusetts men confessed that the Rhode
Island grounds wers superior 10 tn h,ir
own. and that is a good deal for n Bav
state man to confess. The Connecticut m en-
said they surpassed anything not only in
New England but any erou ads they had
ever seen. The New York msn, whose
pride Is their state camp grounds at
Peekskill, constructed at AN expense OF
hundreds Of thousands OF dollars, &C.
knowledged that their grounds were la no
way superior TO those OF our own state.
The admiration OF the officers AMI pri-
vaie es has been universal. but yess erday
after the experience of n week one OF the
Ulcers declared that their hopes had
been more than fulfilled.
Oficers' Views
Colonel Thornton said: "These
grounds beat the world. There Is moth
ing to compare with them in this state
or In New f igland. They neel lite
Improvement in some WAYS They need
care, need to be sowed, rolled aud leveled
i'm places, but even In their natural con-
dition thsy are vers nearly perfect"
Col. Monroe thought that the grounds
might be better IL the little declevity In
front OF the Second regiment quarters
were filed up. but he said by filling in
such places we should have new land
which would be perhaps worse To drill on
than the uneven land.
II can't imagine more perfect ground
than These" said Capt Els. Tney are roll
ing. and thus give varied drill to the
soldiers; the ground is hard enough to
sustain the weigh. Of the heavy guns
with ease; It is soft enough 20 not
injure the horses feet; il Is sandy
through II. and 1t Is loamy enough not
to get dusty very quickly. The parts of
the ground that contain trees aud un-
even hillocks are splendid plac.s to
practlc, skirmish drills In. TIey
afford excellent opportunities for the
men to practice the selection Of advan-
tageous points from whc to fire at an
| enemy as we'll as for protection for them
| selves do not soc how the grounds as
a whole could be improved"
Captain Ely voices the sentiments Of
every man who has given the question
any consideration. N I one O. those who
may have though that $12,5W was
n good price To- pay for state
camp grounds for five davs' use every
year aud Who have sincs see the
grounds. still adherss to his original OBJ
jectio.. The rentals for the state camp
grounds on previous years have
Deen $1,000 The storage costs
on the equipments has been 81. 200, a SUN
total OF ~, 200. or equivalent To the inter-
| est at 4 per cent. on $4,000 At an
expense of from &, 600 to $40 900 more these
grounds can be perfectly prepared for
all state needs for century
| 20 coiIe Q, and storage houses can be
erecte ed that will satisfy all demands for
IN equsf time. At the north end OF
the lard Is q perfect spot for a