Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-01-30

House OF CorreSion.,. 10 81 "a
State Asylum Tor the In - go,
State Almshouse unclud-
ing boy and girls)..... 10 lio 20
State PrlsOn .............. LOS ltO
Providence County jail. Si9 10 -o'
Sockanosset School for -
Oaklawn School for girls
smallest number IN -
years.. -
Total........ l,s.9
The continual increase OF the inmates OF our
State institutions presents u problem which
yearly becomes more serious. While IL may
be ascribed TO the steady growth OF our popu-
lation and to a more vigorous enforcement OF
our laws, IL Is by no means certain that these
two causes " i'll afford a complete explanation.
IL has been asserted that the state IL too lib
eral In bearing the expense not only OF the
support of the insane but also of the commit
ment of persons To the insane asy lum and
workhouse. Although | am not prepared To
endorse this claim, yet | think the proposition
that this increase may be restricted by caus-
ing the towns and cities To share the cost OF
care and commitment II entitled to your con-
sideration. 1t is not unreasonable to assume
that the commitment fee creates "A zeal in the
work of appre hensiOn, which would be judi
ciously restrained If the expense were borne
by the town in which the person committed
had legal settlement. BY placing this expense
that the State would be relieved of many
transient paupers who are driven from neish-
boring States and detained here only because
of the commitment fee.
Further relief may be obtained by sending
all paupers, criminals and insane persons who
appear 10 have no home or place of settlement
to house of detention where their status can
be determined, and from whence they can DO
removed to the state in which they belong.
fhe cost of maintenance of the inmates Of
the State workhouse, SOCkauOsset school, Oak
lawn school ana Insane Asylum should be
chargeable TO the towns in which they have
legal settlement, and IL any inmate has an es-
tate or any person Is legally liable for his sup
port, the town should recover from such es-
tate or person.
renew my recommendation for the enact
ment Of law making the reform school the
only place of detention for children under a
certain age, md requiring that their commit
ment to the State's prison for more serious
crimes shall be contingent upon the approval
OF justice of the Supreme Court.
Militia.
For the military department the past year
has been one of unusual activity and interest.
Investigations have been made of 90. A, 2nd
Regt. lnfy. OF Warren and the Naval Reserve
Torpedo Company of Newport. The condition
OF affairs In the Warren Company was such
ms TO justify its disbandment, and Col. James
Moran OF the End Regiment has been directed
~ enlist and organize company at Olneyville
10 I'll the vacancy. The report OF the Board
of Inquiry upon the troubles in the Newport
Naval Reserves led me TO discharge one Of the
acting officers. Charges have been made OF
irregularities In tho muster and pay rolls Of
Co. L, end Regt. Infy, and have ordered the
officer against whom the charges were made
to be tried by Court Martial.
In these and minor matters have been ami
mated by desire to maintain discipline aud
to encourage respect for the military regula-
tions. The ambiguity and inconsistency of
our present military law and the consequent
growth of embarrassing customs and prcce-
dents have sometimes rendered my duty one
of difficulty. Where inslstence In the ODAer-
vation of certain regulations which have
fallen into disuse would have been liable 10
demoralize the organization, have considered
Il better to await the adoption of the new
militia law now being prepared by the COM
mittee appointed al the last January session.
This remark applies more particularly 90 he
provisions regarding fines for nOn-apprarunCe
at drills, and the furnishing of bonds by COM
missioned officers charged with the care Of
State property.
lam of the opinion that the militia canno
be placed upon an efficient and well organized
basis until three important changes are
made:--
lst The abolition Of the elective system In
20 far rs il appertains To field and company
officers.
End. The provision Of sufficient assistance IN
the departments Of the Adjutant General and
Quartermaster General, and the payment OF
an adequate salary 10 these officers.
Ord. The requirement of strict ply y,icsl
examination fer enlistment and the prohibi-
ton of recruiting within three months ot the
annual encampment.
Other essential improvements are In the di-
rection of imperative regulations regarding
q 81 art ~ nd aff In nj
drills, with power 10 enforce the same; In
crease of the time required 20 be devoted TO
snoampments, and the formation Of hospital
corps.
Notwithstanding the disabilities which these
suggestions cover, IL Is gratifying to know that
the fidelity and real of the officers asd men
have enabled the organization 10 advance IN
poldierly qualifications. This zeal was espe-
cially displayed by the voluntary presence of
100 men at the range for rifle practice during
last year, the appropriation intended TO de-
fray their expenses having been pronounced
imperative. The rifle practice season was
most successful. OF the 100 who fired at tie
ranges, l39 qualified from third 10 second
class, 80 to nrst class, 81 TO grade Of marks
men and 10 10 the distinction Of fsharpshOptefs.
The returns Of the active militia at the
close OF the year are ~ fOllOws:-COmmis.
stoned officers 10, non-commis-iosed Officers
829, musicians 81. privates slj, total li'o.
Various branches Of the service are repre-
sented az follows:-General officers %. cavalry
lob, heavy artillery S4b, light batteries ~, In
fsntry rQ, signal corps 5, machine gun bat
terry "a, naval reserve companies 10 Number
Of men available la the state for militia SER
vice l3O,J6. Appropriations last year for
military purposes s'65O5OO. OF which t'0
was imperative; expenditure s35,'B9
The resignation of Col William ii. Thorn
ton, from the command 81 the lst EeEt. lniy.
deprived the militia OF the services OF
capAbls and faithful officer, who was greatly
esteemed by his men. His name has been
added to the Retired List of Commissioned
Ohicers of the X l. NJ.
The Adjutsnt Generals report will be sub
nitte1 10 you In due coui r., and take Ibis
opportunity Of endorsing his recommends
tion, that the time for filing clsims under tie
resolution providing for the reimbuIs.yAent Of