The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-04
NATIONAL GUARD MATTERS
Interesting Items Cleaned from the
Adjutant Generals Report.
The TALK OF IMPROVEMENTS
Various Reforms Needed ID The Opinion
OF Heads Of Departments Military
Education Discussed Favorable
Criticism from Regulars.

ueiayeu report OF the aOJutant general
reached his department from the state
printer today and contains much that
is interesting to the members Of the
National Guard. Colonel Ralston, of
the Third regiment, makes some ex-
ceedingly practical suggestions for the
Improvement or rifle practice, and ac-
companies his Recommendation with q
chart containing target illustrations
and a full explanation OF the system
which he would adopt. Brlgadier Gen.
eral Schall calls special attention to
the recommendations in this report.
Colonel Asher Miner discussing the
Hilton trophy. which was won by the
District of Columbia team, says 1t is
evident that II the Pennsylvania team
wishes to take first place In these COM
petitions in the future 1t will be neces-
sary to avail themselves Of the best ma
terial, which can be done by allowing a
limited number Of commissioned Of
ficers to shoot on the regimental teams
from whose membership the state team
should be selected. inspectors Of rifle
practice, he thinks, should also be elig-
ible on this team. Colonel Miner thinks
that the cavalry branch Of the service
should be required to qualify with the
carbine instead Of the rifle. under re-
quirements especially adopted for that
weapon.
Quartermaster General Logan says
an item that greatly adds to the ex-
pense OF the encampment and delays
the movements Of the troops Is the un-
necessary baggage which the officers
and enlisted men are permitted to carry
to camp. He suggests that a maximum
In size and weight be established for
officers and men. The uniformity Of
packages Of the necessary articles re-
quired at camp would be great saw
ing In transportation. In his opinion
too, much lumber IL used In camp for
flooring purposes He thinks q wood
fioor is not needed. especially where
there is good ground. and that bunk
Is all that Is necessary.
GENERAL RIPPLE'S SUGGESTIONS
Commissary General Ripple says the
increase Of the per capita per diem to Il
cents was q wise and just act and was
attended by good fesults. He recon-
mends an increase to 25 cents. AS the
wants of the various companies differ
materially. some preferring one thing
and some another, he suggests that of
the 20 cents allowance by the state 20
cents be expended by the commissary
department in furnishing the regular
issue and that the other cents be paid
over to the several companies, to be ex-
pended for such extras as the tastes and
desires of the members would demand.
This would In many cases prevent the
necessity which now exists Of drawing
on the company fund to supply the ex-
tras which all, more @, Less, find 1t
necessary to have.
Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Nc
Candless. acting surgeon general, rec
ommends. first, that an emergency case
nf CT. ho tnd 70
to each of the several commands Of the
brigade; second, that a partial set Of
special instruments for the treatment
of fractures and q set of tooth-extract-
ing forceps also be supplied; third, that
memorial be presented to the legis-
lature recommending an amendment to
the military code requiring the enlist
ment Of the hospital corps as separate
and distinct body and providing for
their pay. ~.
MILITARY EDUCATION.
Brlgadier General Goblin, discussing
the military education Of the masses,
suggests that the military spirit found
In the schools has its incentive in the
influence Of the members Of the Ma
tional Guard In their respective local
tiles. He says that they are the men
who are seeking the education to fit
them Tor the cltlZen soldier or the fu-
ture. In this effort they are being
emoluted to the young element in many
Of the schools and academies. 1t Is
the National Guard, he adds, which is
the object lesson, and their practical
work of preparation Is followed by
those desirous Of being abreast Of the
demands Of the future.
Brigadier General Wiley takes strong
grounds against the twelve company or
ganization and asks to be heard before
anything Is done in this matter. He
recommends that the state provide a
fund for the erection of armories.
There will be found in the report of
the adjutant general copious extracts
from the reports Of the United States
army officers detailed by the secretary
of war last summer to visit the camps
Of the National Guard and take notes.
Their criticisms are for the most part
a. IL