Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-01-17

SpeciHlCorrespondenc OF Gazette ana journal
DOVER, Jan. 12.- Tho report of Adiu-
tant-General Garrett j. Hart, for thetwo
years ending December 3lst, 1894, which
was submitted to the General Assembly
few days ago, is an interesting docu-
ment Following is a synopsis
The organized strength of the National
Guard is 42I officers and enlisted men, or
ganiZed into one regiment OF infantry
(seven companIesl rnd one troop of
cavalry. Since my last report there have
been mustered out of service Troop Is,
4 First Cavalry tby its request) and Company
q, First Infantry lit having fallen below
the required number by law Company
A, First Regiment Infantry was also
mustered out ut its request and a new COM
pany, to fill the vacancy, was at once
mustered in and to-day it is one of the
strongest companies that it is my privilege
to report.
LEGISLATION.
In my report of 1892 urged that proper
legislation be given this department and
that laws be enacted wherein officers and
men alike could be held for the faithful
performance OF duty, also for the proper
maintenance of the same. Such Il bill
. after great care, was drawn, embodying
with il the laws governing the United
States army, leaving blank in said bill any
appropriation, preterlng the members OF
lut Oll lullllilIN W udllle
the amount latter careful consideration
necessary for carrying on this department
they decided to name 10000 and with this
amount the bill was introduced in the
House and passed. but severely failed in
the Senate without even so much as ac-
cording one of our committee Il conference
to explain its use and necessity. This blow
to the guard was most diSheartening.
making it necessary to lose some of
the best element it had in the way
OF weli.equipped officers. In June,
1891, the Armory Building Controlled
by the Troop Association), which
was covered by a mortgage held by the
State, was sold under foreclosure proceed
ings on account OF the failure of said as
ISOLATION to pay the interest on said mort
gage and was bought by the State treas
urcr, who at once turned said building lin
which was stored all State and United
States property over to the adj utant-gen-
eral. who in turn at once invited TO take
quarters in it all the military companies
then existing in the city of Wilmington,
viz: A, G and 4. This has given some
new life to the guard, they accepting it us
a recognition substantially from the State.
Their present condition, however, is to be
deplured and can only be made satlsfact-
DRY and efficient by enacting suitable laws
and appropriatng moderate sum of
money for maintaining them and |
strongly urge that this matter be taken up
by the present Legislature and carefully
considered and that the military of the
State be suitably provided for or at once
he disbanded.
ARSENAL.
The present headquarters are used as
well for an arsenal, aud since coming into
the hands of this department it has been
possible to make more and better room
for the care OF property.
RECORDS.
/ must again call your attention to the
condition of the papers that contain tile
military history of the state and trust that
some action will be taken looking to the
Detterment OF their condition. The records
OF the soldiers of this State in the Revo-
lutiOnary war, the war of 1872 and the
Mexican war should be preserved and if
such is the desire immediate action should
be taken.
The limited information this depart
ment has for furnishing records of service
to the soldiers of the late war is at times,
very embarrassing and the same should be
completed. AS stated in my last report
we have only the first six regiments of
infantry, the First Cavalry and Nields'
Battery Of Light Artillery. As matter Of
State history these records are invaluable
and should be properly classified and
placed i'll this Office for safekeeping.
COMMISSIONS.
During the past two years nine commits.
sions have been granted. eleven resignl-
tons rendered and accepted and three
mustered out of service in accord with
chapter 10, section IL, Of the Revised Code
AS amended.
.= CONTINGENT FUND. .. ~.
For lSg3.
Balance December alst, lSy2............s 7;,gi
Appropriation for 1892. ,,.............. 6Ul III
Appropriation Tor lsJj.................. G0Lr,
s!27ls
EXPENSES ...'..'.'...'''.'' Juh3'
Balance December 31s, 1898 ..........s 7US. II
FoR lsDl.
Balance December atst, lsg3. .......S 1854
Appropriation Tor loJl.. ............. 5000
SI,gOs.4
Expenses. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. ii4.5
Balahce December 3ist, 1891. ..........s Ss3S
RECOMMENDATIONS.
Inasmuch as the building known a!
Troop Il Armory has become the property
of the State in fact. would most strongly
recommend that it be turued over to tai
military OF the city of Wilmington per
manently, free OF cost except that of fuel
light and janitor, and that 4 committee o.
three or more from the Legislature be ap
pointed to look into the requirements o.
the building, certain repairs being abso
lutely necessary for the protection oil
stores In which event | would recon
mend that the acknowledgements office b.
permanently located therein, as a suitabl,
room has been provided for the trans
action of its work, thereby doing away
with the possibility of tile loss OF vallab
books and papers by moving them 10 dill
ferent parts OF the state with the chang
of each administration.
| would further recommend the abolish
ing of the present regimental formation
and in lieu thereof battalion Formation
OF four companies each, each OF which t,
be commanded by major; then suCl
F,,r formation ne a nf hat
talions and the best interests OF the servic
will warrant. This will be in accordanc
with the more advanced ideas of tn
present Tune.
CONCLUSION.
The reasons for maintaining State M
tional Guard have been urged 50 frequentl
it seems like mere work of repetition .
again bring them to your notice, but tn
widespread violation of the public peac
and loss of life and property in sewers
States u few months ago admenished N
that Il duty would be neglected should
fail TO call your attention To the wsrnin
these occurrences convey. Modern suciG
conditions which grow out of an inCrea
ing density of population imperativel
calls for an organized armed force back c
the courts as a guarantee of social ordC
and the protection of property. lncreas
Of population and business interests wi
inevitably bring with them increasiu
cases of friction between the labor an
employing classes. If then sound reason
approve the support of such an organic
ton unhestatingly recommend that tn
provision be ample enough to make II