Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-11-20
SCHOOL FOR OFFICERS
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willing to sacrifice their company stand
ing instead of enforcing discipline regard.
| ing rine-practice, they might have stood
second to none other. My record shows
every man qualified, but that company
have adopted strict rules governing theii
practice, and nine men were returned as
having practiced and not qualified. As
much as l regret the loss to that excellent
company, I must most heartily commend
the action OF the officers in enforcing
methods that have no faint of unfaii
1 practice. | have no fear OF the futurt
record CT the company, neither can other
companies expect to hold the lead another
year with our especial work. Again,
without going into particulars in this
matter. | trust ali company officers
present will maintain and enforce rules
! az practice upon the arge with that high
sense Of honor which the officers Of Com
pany X has done.
/ suppose it may not be out Of place to
| conoratuate Maj. +. K. Newcomb upon
the splendid battalion of Inarksmen he
has. III men and only nine men without
rank as marksmen.
| Next and a close competitor Is Company
| d Of Lewiston, with only eight men
lacking qualification, and sl.Sl of the
company qualified, increasing sixty per
cent over that Of 1894 Capt. Crockett and
his inspector, deserves the thanks of the
State and tie officers of the regiment for
the splendid work the past season.
The greatest gain in any one company
over 1894. has been made by Company L
of Bath.
Company c, for years has stood gener-
ally at the foot of the ladder last year
attaining only 27.45 OF qualified men.
Under the fine management OF Capt.
Kimbsll and the untiripg energy of Lit.
Wakefls Id, their improvement shows more
than 100 per cent gain in marksmen,
having AS you observe GLIB qualified
marksmcn.
The same well directed effort another
year will carry that company very near
the head Of the column.
Company of Skowhcgan, has again
taken her place among the best companies
of the regiment, making more than 100
Der cent from last year. With little
we'll directed special work at certain sea-
sons of the year, that company will easily
maintain very high rank as marks
men The officers certainly deserve much
credit, in taking a company with only
80. 20 and carrying it to 7l.45 per cent of
qualification.
Company II of Waterville, has in
creased its number of marksmcn little,
as has Company B Of Lewiston, but they
are below the average Of the regiment,
which is not quite the thing for these old
companies AS long as company is
gaining criticism perhaps ought to be
left out, but we must expect such com
panies to make up the lack of work in
companies having less experience.
Companies A of Hampden, + of Dover
and G of Bangor, are the three lowest in
point of efficiency in tho regiment. Com
pany A and + have each 81 men ranking
as marksmcn, while Company G has bat
20. In point OF fact this company is the
poorest in the State l submit to the
officers of these three companies if they
can afford to allow the present condition
of things to exist. While | have the
highest regard for the officers of these
companies as men, the lack of interest
and inefficient work done by them in
maintaining commands which may be
serves to my mind condemnation. The
responsibility for the lack of knowledge
~ marksmen, cannot be shifted from the
officers in command. | know that most
of the men in these companies would
quickly respond to the enthusiasm if any
was shown on the part of the officers, and
that they have men in these commands of
sterling character and unqucstioned
courage.
in these three companies, A, + and G
are 90 men lacking the qualification of
third class marksmen. 80 having no
practice during the past season.
1t Is true that some little difficulty has
been experienced, in the repair of ranges
but with the assurance from the State
that when the towns neglected to keep
them in repair, the State would do so, the
excuse if such was made, would hardly be
valid In Lewiston, the range facilities
have been very poor, and the work Of
Company ID is all the more creditable on
this account. Company b made gain,
but for energy and successful effort for
gain under adverse circumstances. the
work of Company d may b. an object
lesson for others.
| am very anxious for better range
facilities for those companies in Lewis
ton, and intend to take steps to secure
better conditions before another season.
1t is well understood that neither
officers nr men, go into the National
Guard of Maine for gain, for the service
requires an outlay OF tirno and money
far greater than any return received.
What is there about 1t, that attracts
the best of men TO enter its ranks and
voluntarily take such responsibility and
expense? Certainly no better men need
be- desired than those who are enrolled in
the guard of Maine. Both in peace and
In war we may be proud of Names
soldiers. There is something in the heart
CT man that awakens to the touch Of
that responds to the pomp
and show of military manoevers. Men
with pride of character and personal
bravery are the ones that naturally seek
81, nc g.,