New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-29
NATIONAL GrIRD IFFiIRS

HARD WORK REQUIRED FROM THE MILITIA
MES nrIt rArTArIoN COURTS MARTIAL
Tho Order which General Fitzgerald has Just To-
iicl f,r drills In Van Cor,lan1t Park by the varI-
ous organizations IN the First Irigad" on Satur-
Gays brings ~ mind me fact that there ia ten
aencv every year - require The National Guarlsmen
?, er.nI NOR. and more time IN the lutcs pertaining
g. tre state militia Tho man who belongs 20 a
+ cltv regiment md docs 200 per cent Of duty. or
ANYTHING Ike that and who takes AN active inter
oct generally n the organization to which he he-
longs and has time FOR any other kind of rccrea-
/ ton must have a good deal of spare time on his
hands.
during tho winter months tho men are obliged 10
dru one night ,u,h week regularly. Then there
arr. various extra drills and rihe matches. besides
tho practising which thcv must 10 ia order 70 make
n good showing az Creedmoor Tor themselves and
/ the ORGANIZATIONS 70 which they belong. In the
summer Their. Is rifle practice the State rang".
which e. compulsory with week OF duty In camp
every second year. two or three extra street pa
m les AMI wlthln the last few years field day at
Van Cortaudt Park has been added ms a regular
part Of the summers work. Besides this there
* AN inspection each year and It is considered al
mos, a crime to b. absent when the inspecting
officer counts nose.
All this duty counts up to a good many hours In
the course OF n year. Many OF the men not only
have to do this duty. but they have 10 contend
AGAINST the nntagonlsm of their employers In
many cases and not iufrequcntly lose their posi-
tons because Of their connection with the National
Guard. - long the regiments can be kept full
and I'm good condition there f. no objection. prob
ably 20 making the euarlsmcn spend all this time
ln .ratulious service ~ the State But the burden
fec felt t. a considerable extent I'm some quarters
and there is not much doubt about tho fact that
the heavy requirements keep good deal OF
ccIlent material OF the city ORGANIZATIONS at
least
The Kicking" qualities 81 the members OF the
Goth Battalion seem to be- something after the order
Of that little weed which grows around brooks and
damp places. kuoNn rs the .touch-me-not" Most
SELF up and snaps whenever touched. The mem
bcrs OF the C9th seem To equal II I'm respect TO the
slight provocauon which VIII cause kick
Major Duty ordered the battalion to 30 TO church
at ST. Patricks Cathedral ON March Il. There
Was "A large turnout In response 10 the order.
ana u court martial ordered 10 bring the de-
Many the angry, and declare that go
ing 10 church f. not part OF their military duties
they VIII go. While military order is issued 10
be obeycd and should be- obcycd %. the letter.
whether the man Is commanded To go 10 church or
& battle the cOOl-headcd ones think II was III
advised the part OF Major DUFFY To court-martial
for refusing to attend a church OF n par
tlcular denomination. They think II IL poor
harmony is OF so much importance IN the organiza-
ton Just ut present. The men declare that they
viii take their cases 10 the civil courts II an A.
tempt Is made To enforce the proceedings OF the
court-martia and n they take this step they
sure to receive good deal Of sympathy
The battalion inspected last Mon
day evening and II made an excellent showing
There only seven absentees. "A record TO be
proud Of after 70 stormy an existence as the men
under Major thaunccy nave had Tor the last Few
General Inspector McGrath will look I'm upon the
give his official opinion as to the condition OF the
organization.