Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-16
The Governor Il Willing.
Norfolk Landmark.


We have the infornation directly from
the Governors office that no application
has been made % aim. ~ proper ioIm'
since the passage II the -nab'tns act ty
the Legislature for the organization OF
a State Na.al Myth. Some apphcauehs
were made Just before he law was pass
ed. and the applicants were referred 10
the Assistant Secretary OF the Navy, frcm
whom they obtained copy OF the Jplteh
States statute making certain provisions
for these organizations in the various
States. which become operative as soon
as the battalions are formed uTder the
State laws, and the Governor issues the
necessary preliminary regulations to the
commander The Goveror has been ready
all the time since the law WIS enacted
TO issue the necessary instructions as TO
uniform, &c, whenever he IL formally
advised that a company or battalion mas
complied with the provisions OF the act,
and he Is and has always been friend
of the movement The main difficulty
Is that he cannot furnish any money for
this body OF troops, because TO provision
was made by the Legislature OF that KIND.
There Is no fund out OF which he can
furnish money for uniforms or equipment.
The military appropriation for the State
Is only twelve thousand collars, and 10
this is added about ten thousand dollars
In ordnance and quartermasters' stores
by the Federal Government There is no
provision in the statutes by which the
Governor can use any OF this money or
material for equipping and maintaining
the Naval Militia.
The APPROPRIATION made by the United
States for the Naval Militia Of the va
rlous States can be- used only for arms
and equipment: and, under the regula-
lions adopted by the Navy Department
this appropriation can only be sent 10
the Governor Of a State when the depart
ment is informed by him that Naval
Battalion has been organized and uni
formed. AS II Is impractcable for the
Governor Of Virginia to furnish the uni
form. having no funds for that purpose
and he has not been advised OF any or
ganization which has uniformed Itself
ne has not been able 10 make the requlsi-
ton on the Navy Department for money
wherewith to buy arms, &c, which ne
will be glad TO do when he can.
The matter Il, therefore. reduced 10 inns
that no organization has been MADE
which has uniformed itself; and the Cow
ernor. not having the information neces-
sary to enable him 10 call on the United
States for Virglnias allotment Of its pro-
portion Of the $500 appropriated for the
yariius States and not being authorized
TO take money from the meagre apprO-
priatiOn for the military 10 buy uniforms
for the Naval Militia, no Naval Milltla
has been organized in this state. Nobody
is TO blame in the premises that we can
see. although there has been some mis-
understanding about IT. When the next
LEGISLATURE meets the defect should De
remedied by the making OF a proper
appropriatlon for the Naval Militia; ana
in the mean time we are authorized by
Governor O'Ferrall 10 say that ne VIII
gladly issue the necessary regulations I'M
mediately upon receiving the Information
that the requisite number Of men are
ready. with list Of their names ana
officers. and that they will uniform them
selves. This Is all he can do under thr
circumstances and this Is definite INFORM
alton for any who are willing TO make
M an organization and pay for uniforms.
As we have said. after the organization
is formed and the commission - ISSUED
so that the Governor may advise the
Navy Department in regular form, theh
| money will be given him wherewlth 10
buy arms and like equipment. We SIN
cerely hope that there may be suiiicient
number OF young men in the community
! 20 invest a small amount OF money IN d
uniform. which may be purchased al very
| reasonable prices. and that our NaVai
| Nuitia may be in existence long before
tho next Legislature meets. The Govern
or's office will be glad TO answer any com
munications that IL may receive on thiS
uuhfoct