New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-31
THE STATE OF THE MILITIA.
ANNUAL REPORT OF INSPECTOR-GEN-
ERAL MGRATH.
THE CONDITION IN WHICH HE FOUND THE NEW
YORK CITY REGIMENTs-PRAIsE FOR SOME
BLAME FOR OTHERS.

BLAME FOR OTHERS.
Albany Dec. 30 (SpecaD-The annual report OF
the Inspect General Of the State. made by Cen
era Thomas II. McGrath to the late General
Josiah Porter Adjutant-General. on December
l. is just made public. 1t is one of the most read
able and comprehensive reports that ever came
from the Inspector Generals Department Gen.
erai McGrath. who wears one Of the gold-service
medals, giving proof of twenty-five years I'M
broken service in the Guard. says In his report;
During my service in this department have
seen the National Guard grow from disorganized
body TO a grand institution. i have seen II grad
ually develop from a 'go-as-you-please concern TO
a disciplined body of soldiers in whom the state
can safely rely for prompt willing and inielIlgeht
duty whenever called upon.
He also adds: 1T is now quite time that the
politicians stand aside and let the administration
Of the National Guard severely alone fohtcd!
interference in affairs which appertain only to the
government and discipline of the State troops Is
sheer impudence and should be sharply ana
firmly rebuked Any suggestion, any obstacle
any threat which the politician offers in relation TO
the military guidance Of the National Guard is an
act of OfilcousnesS which should not Tor a mo-
ment be tolerated.
BY far the greater part of the document is given
over to the reports in detail of the inspections OF
the several organizations in the Guard The criti-
cisms passed on the New-York City organizations
are given herewith In part:
and well and intelligently cared for. The troop
still maintains high standard of efficiency In
everything that appertains ii is a sodierly COM
mand: always ready for service which. when called
upon to perform 1t does willingly and we'll AS a
rule the State honors the officer on whom it
besto%s commission; in the case of the COM
mandipg officer of Troop the State is honored by
his Willingness to serve.
First Brigade Signal Corps-This command Is
not in satisfactory condition Its instruction
in the school of the soldier. the manual OF arms
and military courtesies has been greatly neglected
The individual bearing of many OF the members Is
not soldierly. ard the corps cannot even march
WE'LL These matters should all have immediate
and scrupulous attention. The first requirement
Of a military body is Diet its duties be what they
may) that all Of its members individually and coll
lectiyey, should be soldiers matter of habit.
The signalling by heliograph and flag was not
good and the telephone connections and commu-
nications quite unsatisfactory. The telephone and
telegraph apparatus was found 10 be out OF order.
and had not been exapned since the corps re-
turned from camp last summer
Before the corps can attain merited reputation
as soldierly and efficient organization much
steady and patient work lies in the way of its
officers and members. In the excellent personnel
and composition Of the corps is 10 be found un-
doubted assurance that all existing shortcomings
will speedily disappear. 1t is proper to add that
the business relations of Captain Ives have neces-
sarily interfered with his military work in the
CORPS OF his capacity an officer there is no
question.
Seventh Regiment-Tkse 7th. since the inspection
and muster, October %, 1893, has lost but one
officer, honoraby discharged. and seven non-com-
missioned officers. as follows: One first sergeant.
BY death: two sergeants and one corporal, honor
ably discharged one corporal. commissioned first
lieutenant In Company c. list Regiment; and two
corporals. dropped. There are no vacancies in
the list Of officers and only one In the list OF non
commissioned officers. viz, one sergeant-major
The net loss since last winter Is six 10 Wit: In
Company A, four; Company E, three. The field
and staff gains one
After unusually rigid inspection OF this regi-
ment fail to find any Irregularities worthy OF note
1t may be said it Is wondrous TO see regiment in
which all the companies so uniformly equal in
strength military appearance. soldierly bearing
and military courtesy. Every detail is looked after
with a care and pride that produce most salts
factory results
There are some who are inclined to be sneering
in their criticisms of the 18th. II they be National
Guardsmen. let them do as well or hold their
peace: IL aymen. let them discuss affairs OF which
they have knowledge.
know the regiment to be a well-drilled and
wel-d!sciplined body Of soldiers. and should they
be required. have no doubt but that they would
fight"
Eighth Battaon-This the first inspection
Of the Sth since the reduction OF the regiment TO
battalion To any one who doubted the wisdom
of the change glance at the battalion should
have been sufficient to have convinced him that
the reduction was wise and proper. The battalion
appeared In uniforms recently trimmed with white.
closer inspection OF the companies revealed minor
defects and DEFICIENCIES which have no doubt VIII
soon be corrected. Major Chauncey has done good
work since his assumption OF command, and Is to
be commended for good results attained; me
soldery appearing battalion is the compensation
do
. net gain Of eighty-three since last muster, and
at the same time it has been the evident aim OF
the different companies to rid themselves of paper
men, This is particularly observable In the hand
ss% s per ' cent and now ssn per cent gain Of il
per cent There are only four vacancies in the
ants. While few vacancies exist in the list OF
are in Office for ali necessary practical work
Credit for Individual Improvement is given to Com
Tes ns and Companies B, II, and remain
in military standing about the same Field 9i
ornamental nor useful and not part OF the pre-
scrbed dsss for Officers of sts m n
sry uniformed and equipped. ,o.
ton OF the iash Regiment have no hesitancy in
pronouncing decided and pleasing improvement zen
gesment WAS paraded in FIJI dress and for the
FIRST time in the single-breasted coats with white
line was very neat and soldlerly, and closer in
spectlon OF the companies failed to reveal anything
recollection is that criticised only coat in the
entire regiment as not being properly fitted. One
look at this regiment Is sufficient 70 thoroughly
vindicate the opinions OF those favoring the single
breasted coat The guidance Of the trained soldier
IS apparent throughout the entire COMMAND In
his Intelligent, faithful and successful work,
Colonel Dowd Is ably assisted by thoroughly COM
petent and willing field officers.
TWenty-second Regiment-The 22d Regiment
shows u net loss Of twenty since the last inspec-
tion, October %. 1893. Company lost five. c ten,
u four F seven, G. four and II one. Company Is
gained one, ! four and X six. Company re-
mains a maximum company. and represents but
little less than one-sixth of the regiment. Com
pany A is in a very unsatisfactory condition and re,
0uires the vigorous attention OF the regimen tai
Commander II Is below the minimum allowed by
the code. and exists simply by sufferance and I'M
less an Improved condition is shown. II should be
recommended for disbandment. The general con-
sha bad "A i'm