Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-15

=, 40, az Congress. This venerable
tnetitution. I'm which the country tak's
,ustiGahle uride. IS undergoing a hec'S
sarv norlod Of material renoVatloh anu
an amount somewhat in excess OF we
ueuol concentrations is now required TOT
Tho service schools at Fort Monroe
Fort Ieavonworth. and Fort klley IN
tinue the high grade OF ns'rpc,io ~,
for which they have been comniehu,u ~
previous reports. a geheIal IT. IT,
.broughout the service for opportnnliies
afforded bv these schools IS evidence
90 an ambition I'm the army to eNcel ~
military knowledge, as well as IN dally
routine. -. .,,o
The efforts Of recent years TO bring the
army into closer relations with the Ma
tional Guard Of the States may now o.
REGARDED as having established a perma
nent union between the two forces az,
vantaeeous Ia both. During the year %
officers 6 more than In the previous
year. we're permanently detailed Al 80
beadouariers: and f3 States secured
for temporary duty the services Of army
officers. state encampments Of troops
were held by % States. 20 when -
additional officers were assigned as IN
structors and inspectors.
AN HUNDRED THOUSAND.
The conditions are favorable to the
DEVELOPMENT Of a volunteer force OF W.
Nard OF 10000 men, Of the highest ei-
fciency. and prepared for any service.
LEGISLATION, however. is necessary 10
nut TO tho best use the relations
which have been established between
the army and the troops Of the States.
The laws OF the United States relating
Il
need thorough revision and renovation
70 bring them into accord with present
requirements.
The variety OF weapons which now oh
tains IS so great as TO preclude inc
emplovement OF considerable bodies OF
the militia Of different states In CO.
operation. and the longer the Federal
Government delays action the greater
tho possibility that different States VIII
eeiert different models Of rifles, re-
ouiriug different forms Of ammunition
thus rendering almost impossible the en-
plovment in Joint action of the troops
Of the different States The Springfield
45-calibre rifle appears 10 be the beal
available weapon adapted 10 the use Oh
the STATE troops. and authority from
Congress alone is necessary TO enaOie
the department fully 20 equip withlh
the year the militia OF the country
with this uniform arm In the event Oh
war the new magazine rife could De -
eued 10 these troops, and fortnight
would be ample 10 secure prohclehey lH
the use Of the arms.
THE APPROPRIATIONS.
The appropriation for the National
Guard has remained unchanged for many
years. although the cOuntrys population
has multiplied many fold. Repeated
1rtf ton ffr "a
appropriations have not met with favor
able response from Congress. though the
reasons for such increase seem obvious.
The States now hold many unserviceable'
vorn-out. or obsolete stores and weapons
advanced TO them by the War Department
In mast wears. Authority Is asked 90
grant credit TO the States for the return
Of such useless material, TO be sold by
the National Government for what II
will bring, and the proceeds applied 10
the arming OF the militia with uniform.
serviceable weapons II Is now suggested
that authority be granted 10 the depart
ment 10 sell 10 the States. al cost price.
such arms and equipments as they may
require. and that the proceeds OF such
sales be credited 20 the appropriations Tor
supplying and replacing such arms ana
equipments
i'm appropriations for the department, but
the bestowal Of the authority asked for
is necessary 10 the success Of any plan
looking toward the joint action Of the
army and the National Guard Of The
States I'm case of war
Common unity Of interests, mutual re-
spect, and familiarity with each others
methods have been established between
the army and State troops In peace. but
unity OF action on the field requires uni
form armament and equipment.
OFFICERS AND MEN.
The following table shows the number
of officers and men. comprising the Ma
tional Guard of the states and Territories,
and allotment 10 each State and Terri
tory of the annual Appropriation by the
General Government, and the appropria-
ti0ns made by each State and Territory.
The artillery arm, comprising 5.l5l Off
GERS and men. is maintained by 33 States.
and the cavalry arm. comprising 5,2i9
officers and men. IS maintained by -
States. Here are the figures:
Fed. state
y. ~ .f1fof .yvr,