Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1894-10-05
Substance. MOL SHOW.

As was to have been expected, the
coming to Vermont of real soldiers-the
cavalry at Fort Ethan Allen-has stirred
the managers of our militia forces into
renewed activity. Adutant General
Theodore 5. Peck says in his biennial re-
port to the legislature;
Although Vermont has one small regi-
ment of infantry and a splendid light
battery, this force numbers only f34
officers and men, 600 less than the pro-
per tactical maximum strength OF such
organizations. because our companies
have only 81 officers and men instead OF
100. There are many applications on file
for new companies in smaller towns,
where it is reasonably certain that they
would be efficiently maintained.
Of what earthly use,-other than Civ
ing "the proper tactical maximum
strength for which no one but Gen.
Peck cares a picayune,- an addition OF
600 men to the flood-wood soldiery of the
State would be does not appear and is
hard to imagine. We have no great
railroad centers where outbreaks can oc'
cur and no large bodies of workingmen
to strike and riot; and, even if we had,
company of the regulars at the fort would
be worth a dozen regiments of ineXperi-
enced militia. The only possible reason
for enlarging the regiment is to give an
increased number of ambitious carpet
knights chance to caper and
prance about in gaudy uniforms at the
annual muster at public expense. The
maintenance of the present force takes
altogether too many hard-earned dollars
out of the peoples pockets every year
Were proposition to abolish the whole
outfit now and forever submitted to pop
ular vote, it would be carried by decisive
majority. But the abolition of the militia
would lot be wise. The State will not,
hOwey er. patiently submit to the imposi-
/ ton upon it of further fuss and feathers ;
and Gen. Peck and his followers will do
well to content themselves with what is
already granted them.
If the State wants to lay out funds, let
her do so in directions that will bring
money into the pockets of her inhabit-
ants, instead of taking it out. y few years
since we had a commissioner appointed
for the purpose of attracting hither ini-
migrants. He proceeded to magnify his
office by proclaiming to the world the
desoaton that had come upon the com
monwealth: and at last things reached
such PASS that Nermonters themselves
began to doubt their senses and to en-
qulre whether, after all, the State wa:
really good for anything except as {
dwelling place for poverty-stricken Scan
dinavians. Happily they recovered them
selves, and at the next session of the leg
islature put quletus on the dOleful com
missioner and his woful commission, bu
not till many good people had been givel
a fit of the "blues" that has lasted then
to this day. Let us now reverse the pro
cess and see if something cannot be ac
complshed to elevate other folks, ant
mont, and by the means also make dol
lar. Our State is becoming year by yea
the summer home of thousands of cit!
residents, men and women of means ant
education: and the number who com
= steadily grows as they find out what W
have to offer them in the shape of scene
ry, sport and places of entertainment
? In this year of "hard times" the summe
hotels were all full and some of thel
; crowded. We have an infinite variety @
natural attractions-mOuntain hills
l plains, rivers, lakes and forests-and ou
r roads are rapidly improving. All that
=, needed to fill the State with summe
E guests and to bring hither coaching pal
ties and tourists, every one of whOI
q would enrich our people directly or Ind
o rectly, is to let the facts be known b
I these city residents. The railroads, an
notably the Central Vermont, have dor
: much to attract travel hither; but ever!
+ thing ought not to he expected of thel
>, or of the hotel men. If the State wei
:, to take hold of the matter in the prOpt
q way, it would effect Infinitely more SUI
e stantial benefit than by increasing Il
y militia or by spending money in a
= most any other conceivable way.