The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-03-08
A WISE MOVEMENT,

Whne under our peculiar form OF gov
ern large standing army is neither
possible nor desirable, ii is none the less
necessary to the national safety that the
military arm OF the country should be
strong and equal to all emergencies that
may arise.
To secure this end the National Guard
system was recommended by washington
which makes OF every Sble-bodied Ameri-
ean citizen between the ages Of IS and Is
a posSfbie American soldier-a soldier, iE'
sidentally. who is always successful. as
Dr Gregg says, because he thinks; SOL
der whom Theodore winthrop typi6ed
IN his felicitous phrase. The Thinking
Bayonet."
There is now under consideration by
The senate committee on military affairs,
and soon to be brought before the con-
gress, a bill. prepared by General Doe.
assistant secretary of war. entitled IAN
Act to Promote the Efficiency of the
Militia" The bill has been approved by
eminent military authority, including
General wingate. president Of the Ma
tf9nal Guard Association of New York;
General ordway. commanding the Ma
tfoBal Guard Of the District of Columbia,
and Adjutant General Falk. Of the Wis
eonsin National Guard.
The bill eontemplates the enrolment of
every able-bodied male citizen OF the re-
spective states and territories and the
District Of Columbia. between the ages
Of Is and IS years, into militia. TO b.
divided into two classes, the organized.
er National Guard. by whatever name
II may be known in state or territorial
hv. and the unorganized. to BE- known
as the reserve militia. Certain exemp-
lions not necessary to specify here are
provided for.
The National Guard. when called into
the United States service. may be re-
tanned beyond the term OF state 1nlist-
zaent, II tha, term expires while in the
said service, but not for more than ninety
DAYS The reserve militia is not liable
to any military duty to the United States
except when called by act of congress,
The National Guard also is exempt. ex-
eept by such call. or by the call of the
president pursuant TO law, as heretofore.
The organization Of the militia is eX-
pected' to conform as closely as practica-
bic to the army organization and disci-
pline, and the militia is to be trained in
the army tactics. Provision is made for
fnstructing the National Guard with reg
ular troops, either in camp or at United
States fort or post. and governors Of
states may offer state troops to the presi-
dent for this purpose, or for instruction
without regular troops. Appropriations
for the purpose may be made by th>
United States. Such state troops are
then considered in the service Of the
United States.
When in the United States service both
The organized and reserve militia receive
pay and allowances Provisions are made
for issuing military stores and supplies
to the militia, and permission is given
for the sale of arms, etc. to state and
territorial troops, for cash, at cost. Off
GERS or men Of the organized or reserve
militia, disabled in the United STATES
service. or dying as the result Of in
iuries. receive the benefit Of the pension
laws in person or by their heirs.
The provisions here outlined are most
ample and liberal. and well calculated to
promote the efficiency" If the citizen
soldiery Of the states and territories.