The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-08

that the work should not be defayeu-
The conditions and necessities In each
State are much the same, and thus boaru
would find its work greatly facilitated py
| the use of other States regulations.
| North Carolina, for instance, mas WITHIN
| the past few years revised her reguia-
| tons. and better model can hardly ne
! found. The need for regulations Is TOO
obvious TO be recounted; enough to say,
| that their existence would eliminate
much trouble that now disturbs the
peace OF the volunteers, and contribute
very greatly TO general harmony.
FOR A PEhMASENr gscAhPMENT.
We come now TO a feature OF absolute
Importance and. necessity 10 the efficiency
of the guard. The State should secure.
by purchase or otherwise, tract or
land OF sufficient area in 4 healthy 10
cality, accessible 10 large stream or
river, and make ample appropriations
for the establishment of a permanent
camp ground. and the annual encamp-
ment, by regiment and brigade alternate
ly, OF the entire guard. We are under
the impression that whore a State pro-
vides a permanent camp, the general
government also contributes something
towards its establishment: certainly 10
the extent of planting heavy gun and
mortar batteries for target practice. The
fact that our troops are sadly deficient
in the practical duties of soldiers comes
not from ignorance or lack of zeal on
the part of the officers. but from a lack
OF facilities and opportunities for OBJ
servaton and comparison with other
companies. The companies comprising
the guard are largely from different
counties, and owing TO their Isolation
n mani
annual encampment affords the only ia
cilities whereby these deficiencies can be
remedied. The prospect OF u ten days an
nual cncampment would not only con-
duce very greatly 20 the general inter-
est Of the men, but would also enable the
commands by comparison. consultation,
and experience to overcome their serl-
Gus deficiencies and acquire some prac-
Teal knowledge Of pitching and striking
tents, OF the duties OF senfinels, OF the
battalion regmenal and EXTENDED or
der" drills and affording a splendid OPP
pOrtunty for target practice and schools
Of theoretical instruction for the officers.
IL would also bring the troops into more
iffimate relations, and tend to the de-
velOpment of q higher esprit de corps.
While ia camp the volunteers could also
have the advantage OF body Of United
States regulars. which the general gov
eriment has always gladly detailed Tor
such service upon the proper request
10 would also be well 10 divide the state
into military districts, assigning COM
panies 70 regiments by locality; and IN
this way, by having due regard for the
busy soason" in different parts OF the
state, fun attendance could always be
had NJ the regimental encampments
without Inconvenience 20 the men. by
the adoption of this system the troops
could also be modified with greater ease
and facility TO any designated point IN |
the event Of emergency.
A WoRp TO ORR CrTIrs
Most Of our cities are confronted with |
conditions that demand their serious In |
tcrest IN the welfare and efficiency OF |
the troops located IN their midst. IN |
every city there is lower strata OF So
ciety. vicious I'm the extreme, ana ever |
ready 10 take advantage Of the slightest |
prOvOcatOn 10 make riotOus demonstra- |
tons and threaten life and property. |
As a result OF the most outrageous I'M
laws. socialists and anerch-
lists of the most dangerous type have
been thronging 10 our shores i'm countless
numbers for the last thirty years MS
ignorant. degraded. and vicious element
naturally concentrate in our cities ana
the mining districts Of the states, where
they are constantly causing trouble 81
more or less seriousness.
The poison OF their insidious doctrines
Is already beginning TO infect our body
polite 10 a very great extent, and We
actually find their representatives, stand
ing in thu halls OF onr Legislatures bold
- advocating their pernicious tenets.
Under the laws of orr country we have
70 patiently bear their ranting, and await
he overt act before suppressiye measures
'an Doe taken. Therefore II bohOoves the
State and city 10 be fully prepared 10
trige effectively when the emergency
demands IT.. The general government
fter us experience I'm the Chicago riots
# last fall. Is beginning TO appreciate
ne gravity Of the situation that con-
ronts our cities, and in consequence ~
concentrating the army IN and around
Dee commercial and railroad centres.
richmond thus far has been fortunately
rec from such elements. but II is only a
question OF time when all the large cities
" our country will have 10 contend with
onditiOns similar to those now confront
lg Chicago. is II not the part OF wisdom |
% prepare FOR war ia time OF peace: !
richmond cannot make a better invest
len' than 10y continuing and increasing
er liberal contributions 10 the mainte-
ance OF her citizen soldiery.
j. SIDNEY BANlEK.
Richmond. Va, September Z, 1895.