The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-02-27


York OF the first Inauguration OF Wnsh-
. ington nstonished million spectators
by the slglit OF over thirty thousand
HOldicrs, well armed, Drilled and
equipped, not more than two THOUSAND
OF whom wOro in the servico OF the
Hunted States; n force OF soldiers, too,
! WHOSE general present condition OF OK.
cellOncO Ia the result Of hardly moro
than dozen years OF well directed
! effort.
The states OF Massachusetts, Con.
necticut, New York, New Jersey aud
Pennsylvania are conceded to have the
best uniformed, drilled, equipped aud
disciplined militia force OF any OF the |
statos, and these five states appropriate
more than five times as much for tho
support OF their citizen sold!ery as do
the twelve southern states OF North |
Carolina. South Carolina, GGorgia, Flor
ida, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee,
West Virginia, Kentucky, Arkansas,
Iuuisiana and Texas, whose population
is approximately tho same. Tho cost
per unit Of population in the frat group
Is almost eight cents, rs against about
one and one quarter cents in tho second |
group. In the last mentioned group OF
States more than onG-hali tho financial
support tho militia force receives comes
from the national government
The organized militia numbers about
100000, oil whom 5000 are officers. The
unorganized or passive force is said to
number moro than 100000, which,
however, ia but statistic OF tho NUM-
Der OF able-bodied men liable Tor mil
itnry duty.
Tho annual cost OF maintaining 4 man
in tho United States army is about
$1,000 The organized militia OF the
various states costs annually on IN
average a little loss than S24 per man.
OF this amount the national government
contributes about ome-sixCh and the
states tivG--ixthe.
Tho largest expenditure in proportion
TO population is in Connecticut, where
the coat per unit OF population is almost
fifteen cents. ! This state is considered by
ZONE 10 have tho most efficient national
guard OF any. Under the law in Con-
ncclicnt the assessors enroll tho militia
OF tho state, and then tax all who do
not enlist IN active service Il certain
sum (S2 it is thought annually per
mau, for tho benefit OF the active militia.
FIiis would perhaps be n good law ior
raising funds for tho support Of West
Firgnia's national guard Ii the pas
Bive militia were taxed even 81 per year,
fund OF IRON one hundred TO one hum
dred and twentv-fve thousand dollars
ought to be realized from this source.
The government contribution men,
toned above can be drawn only in
arms. equipment, equipngc, &C., and
not in money.
- The objects for which the militia is
\ Inaintained, 80 far Us the national gov
eminent il concerned, are clearly de-
\ fined j tho constitution, viz: ito exc.
cute \ ho laws OF the union, suppress
instructions and repel inyasiOns." The
militia thus has double allegiance,
first to tho state government to assist
in taining order, and second TO tho
gene government to suppress insur-
rections and repel invasions.
WEST vIRGIHIAs ARMY.
= So much for the militia, its cost, and
uses. Now for 4 consideration OF the
N$St.est Virginia National Guard" and
its needs. The "W. Va. n. c." consists
OF two regiments OF infantry with total
strength oil about eight hundred men,
which comprise tho First brigade, com.
manded by Brigldicr General L. d.
Spilman with headquarters at Parkers-
burg. General Spllman is graduate OF
West Point, and competent COM
mander. Tho First regiment is COM
nanded by Colonel r Z. Fast with
headquarters at Morgantown, and the
Second regiment is commanded by Col
oncl Thomas Z. Hodges, with headquar-
tiers ut Huntington.
The necessity NJ times OF IN armed
force to aid in the execution OF the laws
oil the state is recognized by all. The
state OF Pennsylvania can mobilize 5000
well armed and well drilled men ut any
point within the state on notice OF
fl-iy-eight hours or less Tho nero
fact that the state has force OF well
nrmod and disciplined soldiers to roly
on will often hold the unruly and tur-
bulent element in check.
This state is much is need OF new
Military law. An officer thus outlines
that should be some OF its provisions:
1T should prnyidc for the taxation OF
tho passive militia Tor the benefit OF tho
active. Tho active militia should also
be exempt from jury duty. 1t should
provide Tor enforced attendance at
drill. unless Il reasonable excuse is
given. and for tho proper collection OF
fines imposed, for absence from drill or
camp without excuse.
p captain William Il. Page, command
ing Company G, OF the Second rcci-
ment, stationed ut AnsEcd, is the author
Of q novel suggestion. 1t is that every
enlisted man OF the active militia be
paid certain sum, say 81, monthly, or
so cents Tor each drill. 1t would appear
that the adoption OF this idea would
certainly bring all the men ont to drill,
and thereby high standard OF cGiri-
ency would be attained. The oul ,6y
TO make the national guard ELECTIVE is
to make 1t attractive TO tho best young
mon OF tho state, who, while thev NAV
be the equals OF their officers socially
and otherwise, will realize that while
thoy are serving az soldiers they must
submit to the orders OF their superior
officers, and to that discipline which IS
necessary to mako effective any body OF
men, either armed or unarmed.
WHAT 1t NEEDS.
"Whnt the national guard now needs
Is an appropriation sufficient to meet
their needs, and law that will enable
.Ln ,ncoesorv ~ .r;nI;po - H.