The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-06
VIRGINIA'S MILITIA.
fHE xDyUrxNT-G ENERAL'SR EP0RT
Is UNUSUALLY INTERESTING.
Facts and Figures which it Contains-Be
THINKS Those Who do Not Belong TO
the Military should be Taxed.

In the year 1884 the Legislature dedi-
Gated TO the support of tho military sys-
tenn one-half OF 1 per cent. OF all the
revenues OF the State derived from regu-
lar sources OF income. except the school
fund,
This provision has produced the fol-
lowing results: For the fiscal year, end
ing September 80. 1884. slO.52S.21; for 1885.
C0,557.42; for 1886, si0,525.79; for 1887,
&.402.76; for 1855, s9.6i4c6; for 1889,
S,5g7.52: for 1890. s9.93703: for 1891.
xi0.7i2e3: for 1892, sl2,05419. Into this fund
went also the proceeds OF a sale of con-
demned stores made by order OF the
Governor in 1887, amounting to S,33S5S
The increase in the fund for the fiscal
year, ending September 30, 1892, is due
mainly 10 the fact that the revenue from
the enhanced value of real estate, shown
Ut the last general assessment. had only
then become available. The sum TO the
credit of the military board october l,
1897 was u.3s2.50.
Unfortunately the military fund is
charged by law with all the expenses
OF military administration, including the
salary of the Adjutant-General, $3.50
year; the secretary OF the military board,
$3.50 and the State armorer, 5000; pay,
mileage. etc. Of the assistant inspector
general while on duty; expenses Of Off
GERS attending elections OF general or
field officers; mileage of officers coming
20 Richmond for examination, cost of pos
tage, stationery. printing etc. for office
OF the Adjutant-General, cost Of general
oourts-martial; freight and drayage on
nil military stores removed within the
State, and numerous incidentals.
All that the military beard has been
able to devote in this way will appear
from the following allowances per capita
10 the officers and soldiers present at the
annual inspections: To each officer and
soldier present at inspection In looo'
81: IN 1886, for infantry 81, for cavalry
and artillery $40; in 1887, for infantry SS.5o'
for cavalry and artillery 70; In 1872 ior
infantry s., for cavalry and artillery -;
in 1889. for infantry $2.25, for cavalry
and artillery $325; in 1890. for infantry
$3.50. for cavalry and artillery $780, and
for general. field and staff officers ~
each: In 1891 for infantry g. for cavalry
m artillery 81. and for general. field ana
staff officers. $40.
a abatement, furnished by the adJu-
tant-generals of the several states IN
1891. shows that the appropriations by the
States named amounted FOR each man
10 the following sums: In Alabama 10
1896 per man; California, S6.0l; tIorida'
s7.5f; Georgia, $6lS; Illinois. $3.50; IN
diana, s17.0S; Iowa, S3.SS; Kansas W.
kentucky. $3.50; Maine, $3.50; Maryland
go 60: Massachusetts, $4625; Michigan,
SOC ~: Minnesota, s2O.a2; Montana. $500;
Nebraska. $3.50: Nevada, sl4.57; New
Hampshire. s27.Os: New jersey, sS4.5S; New
York. s29fS; North Carolina. $S.0i; North
Dakota. $2l.44: Ohio. I7; Oregon. Sll.9S;
PENNSYLVANIA. 1858: Rhode Island. SlS.W;
Vermont. $685.: Washington, $685.; West
Virginia. Sits; Wisconsin, s26.2. on
all these States Virginia is, with a single
exception. the lowest.
The census for 1890 shows that the male
population OF the State within the mill
tary age, eighteen TO forty-four years,
inclusive, was at that time, 295.3iO. Under
both Federal and State laws, all Of these,
except the few who are exempted by
law. owe military duty; but of the entire
number only those known as the Vir-
einia volunteers, numbering little over
5000. discharge this obligation or prepare
themselves by equipment and training
to discharge IT.
II would seem to be a very slight re-
turn II those who are equally bound 10
render such service, but do not, were
required TO make such annual contribu-
q
those who perform the duty from the
necessity of spending their own money
for the privilege of doing 1t.
If all who are within the military age.
but do no military duty, We're required
by law TO pay in lieu of service the
trifling sum OF % GEMS a year for the
use and benefit IF the volunteers, the
aggregate would amount TO over $4,000 a
year. 800
BY an act Of Congress passed in 1878.
II Is provided that the sum Of $4OO.9DO
year shall be applied TO providing arms
ordnance stores. quartermasters' stores
and camp equipage for issue TO the MI
iitia."
This gum Is apportioled. In stores,
among the States and Territories accord
ing TO the number of senator's and repre-
sentatiyes they have In Congress; but no
state or Territory is entitled TO the bene-
fits of the act unless the number OF It's
Regularly enlisted, organized and uni
formed active militia shall be at least 100
men for each senator and representative
The stores issued TO any State remain the
property Of the United States, and are
to be annually reported on and accounted
for az stores issued TO the army are
The share Of Virginia in the annual ap-
proprIatlon has, ever since the passage OF
the act until the present year, been a
fraction over $ll 900. For the current year
Il is $40, ASS. IS. This diminution is due to
the increase in members or Congress
resulting from recent accessions 10 the
Union OF new States.
A convention of adjutant generals has
held at Chicago ton october "a 1Ssl)
by Invitation Of the committee on ceremo-
MES OF the Columbian Exposition. 10 con-
slider the practicability and advisability of
a general encamDment Of State and Fed
erai troops and a grand military display
near that city during the progress OF the
Exposition.
The result was a unanimous approval
OF the project to bring together at Chicago
the 10th Of August next, for period OF
fifteen days, the great body OF State
troops. numbering at this time ll2oO0,
with such portion OF the regular army
as can be spared for the purpose, for a
grand encampment, and for exercise in
the larger strategical formations and ma
noeuvres that are appropriate TO great
masses Of troops, as well as for instruc-
ton and practice in the minor movements
of separate organizations. and the details
OF camp life. To make such an undertake
ing entirely successful. IL would have 10
be mainly, II not entirely. the work Of
the Federal Government.
1t would greatly promote proficiency In
the sOldiership Of the volunteers OF Nir-
ginia ~ they were supplied with suit
able ground for encampments and target
practice. Without skin in the use Of his
weapon, soldier is but bungling ap-
prentice, and skill cannot be acquired eX-
cept by practice. With the long range
arms, now In use, suitable and safe
ground for practice. either with the rifle
or field piece. Is not easily found. and
should be provided by the State. AT the