The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-31
TO LEGISLATORS.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE q.

department OF public service by inoreaslI &
the appropriations Tor military purposes. This
coincidence impresses upon Us the idea that
however able and jealous the officers may be,
and however warm may be the enthusiasm
and patriotism Of the men, there can be little
progress II the state Is not willing 10 provide
funds sufficient for the proper instruction and
equipment OF the brigade. The attempt 20
curtail the necessary expenses OF the militia
II false economy, and In the end will prove a
waste OF the public money.
The ~adJutant generals report for 1879
enters extensively into the question of the
expenditures for military purposes, and
should be given your earnest consideration.
He calls attention 10 the fact that for a num-
Der OF years past he has been compelled TO ack
the general assembly for certain appropria-
tionh in addition 10 tho annual one OF S2i,OUO,
for the reason that this sum has never been
sufficient 10 maintain the militia In a proper
condition for service. lie therefore proposes
10 ask for an appropriation OF ST2,5lS9a the
sum which he estimates will be required for
actual expenses Of the militia during the year
1893. In his report the objects for which the
money is needed are given In detail, and, hsv-
ing carefully examined his estimate, l cor
daily endorse his request.
The renting OF srmories by the state and tho
furnishing of lockers for certain companies.
for which appropriations were made last year,
have proved beneficial In promoting better
care OF uniforms, arms and equipments, and
have in general had a good influence upon the
morale OF the company. The state Is now I'm
a better position 10 fix upon the officers the re-
sponsibity of caring for the arms and equip
ments, and 10 regulate the conduct Of the men
while In the armories. j will point out that
there is great risk I'm depending upon the
companies 10 furnish heating and light ing for
the armories. During December Information
came 10 me that the electric lights had been
cut of from an armory in Providence on az
count of non-payment of the bills by the com
rany using the hall. You can readily see that
such a condition OF affairs would be OF grave
import II IL had been found necessary 10 sud
denly call out the company during the night
time. / think an annual appropriation should
be made for the heating and lighting of
armories during the time they are used for
state purposes.
The appropriation OF 500 for the purpose OF
furnishing facilities for rifle practice has
awakened an interest in this Indispensable
feature OF military instruction which should
be further encouraged. Through the courtesy
OF the Officers Rifle association, who offered
10 the militia the free use OF its range. II was
made possible 10 use this appropriation To
great advantage. The report Of the rifle in
structors, who sp ered no time or labor in di-
reoting the practice, shows that during the
season 3l officers and men fired at
the range and that more than half
this number came 10 the range a
second time. SSventy-three Of those
who went to the range qualified rs marks-
men, and i had the pleasure OF presenting 20
them a small badge, which had been promised
at the commencement OF the shooting. Ii is
in the use OF the rife that our militia Is most
deficient. The rifle instructor in his report
says: II deem IL my duty 10 state that many
men have come 20 the rifle range without the
faintest knowledge OF even the rudimentary
rules OF rifle practice, a deplorable deficiency
that greatly retarded the practice" The men,
however, are anxious 20 practice and have
shown "a disposition TO make many sacrifices,
IL the state will only provide the range, am
munition and instructors. | understand that
in selecting "A site for a permanent camp
ground the commission engaged in that work
will keep I'm view the desirability of obtaining
land where a range can be constr ucted. Ii
they are successful, IL will be the duty OF the
state TO provide means sufficient 10 enable the
commander-in-chief to order out every mem
Der OF the militia for at least one days practice
during each year. The companies should also
be given every facility for continuing the
practice and instruction during the winter
months by means of ranges constructed in the
armories.
The retirement last March Of Brigadier
General Elisha ii. Rhodes. who had com
msnded the brigade, X, i NJ, since its forma-
tion, was deeply regretted His extensive
experience In military matters, especially as
regards those Of this state, made him n valu-
able officer. and his faithful devotion TO duty
and unfailing courtesy and kindness endeared
him 10 all under his command. The months
that have passed since his retirement have
abundantly demonstrated the wisdom OF the
general assembly In choosing as his successor
Lieutenant Colonel Hiram Kendall, for he has
entered upon his duties with marked ability
md zeal, and IL may confidently be expected
that the brigade will continue to improve
under his command He demonstrated his fit
hess for the position during the last encamp-
ment, which was this year conducted upon
a-F.-.gug.. - d atn r.Znn,f. una,,gs.I1.
ground. and also under the new drill regula-
tions. The large attendance at this camp,
there being 500 officers and men present, on
governors day, out OF a possible ll03, was
greatly due TO the interest and enthusiasm
aroused by the new commander OF the brigade
and his staff. l spent considerable time In
camp and was much impressed with the high
standard Of discipline, the uniform dignity
and courtesy Of the officers and the general
good behavior of tho men, The United states
officer detailed 10 inspect the camp was Cap
tain Louis ". CRziarc, Second artillery, United
States army. His practical ideas regarding
the customs and demands OF the service and
his thorough knowledge OF tho regulations
proved Of inestimable value to tho brigade
commander. He presented an extensive re-
port to the war department, which is submit
ted by the adjutant general. and in IL he deals
at length with the subject OF mobilization. Ii
will prove a most useful documen in connec-
ton with the examinations now being con-
Quoted 10y the adiutant general Brigadier
General Kendall in his report upon the en-
oampment calls attention to the pressing need
of an Ambulance service for the bri-
Eade. He says: AT present no pro-
vision is made for those who succumb 10 tho
fatigue of drill under the burning July sun.
save one or two OF the old antiquated filters.
Much delay and positive injury is often
caused by this system. and even then IL IL inn
practicable TO remove the sick from camp. /
trust that action will be taken In this matter
before another encampment.
The naval militia, which has now become n
distinguished feature Of the defensive force
OF this state, has been given considerable at
tention during the past year. Through the
efforts OF the a~djutant general, an oppor-
tunity was presented 20 the Naval Reserve
Torpedo company of Bristol 10 perform a four
days tour Of duty on the Us. 5. Philadelphia
which was ordered 10 Newport harbor for
that purpose. Considering the short time 10
has been organized, and the limited means IL
has had for Instruction and training. this
company, un| r command of Lieutenant
William Hodgkinson, acquitted itself with
credit. The visit 10 the cruiser not only inn