The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-12-28
The ADJU1ANT GENERAL.
Some important Susoesti ons 10 the
Way Of Legislation.
DECREASE IN THE MILITIA FORCE.
state Encampments Kecessary q
Maintain the Esprit du Corps.
Good Work By Hangers.

Austin. Texas. December 37--ln trans
hitting the annual report OF his department
to the governor Adiutant General Mabry
calls attention to the fact that the militia
force Of the State has decreased in mem
bership from sixty-four companies. with
5000 officers and enlisted men In 1894 TO
forty Eight companies with PAS officers and
enlisted men in 1886. This he charges up
TO the lack OF proper encouragement In the
shape Of appropriations for encauipments.
without which there is but little incentive
for companies to maintain an organiza-
ton. The service rendered by the vo,un-
teer Guard Is performed without pay. he
shows, and its members contribute about
$4,000 annually to comply with the re-
quirements OF the law under which they
wear the States uniform. and 10 proTide
armories for themselves Camps OF in
stiuction are necessary TO the proficiency
and efficiency OF the citizen soidiery. for 1t
Is at eneampInenis that its componenis ae-
quire training and knowledge to enable
them TO intellgently perform the duties
which the State imposes upon them on oc-
casions Of great emergency, for which in
the opinion Of the sdjuant general, an
active militia is incomparably the best
agency 10 be employed.
Comparing the militia with the posse
eomitAtus. he uses the following Ian
guage:
Posse comitati are hurriedly summoned |
and therefore can not be disciplined for |
effective service. Hence an organized mob
Is pitted against another mob. both drawn
IRON the same community with local preju-
dices already cugendered for or against
Loss 81 life viii always follow and chaos ant.
rioi VIII prevail. An active militia, or the
volunteer guard. IS disciplined and in the
military instruction given Becomes effect |
i've Ia its machine-like methods The uni
form, representing the majesty OF this
state Inspires awe, and eompe,s an ODE
oience 10 its behests among the lawless
tnat is not possible in posse comitati. NH.
tia can readily be transported from one sec
,ion to suppress mob troubles TO another
section, aud is thus free from local sym
pathles or prejudices. Its very organiza-
non acts as preventive Of organized law
iessness, while its presence on the ground
VIII often accomplish the desired end.
without lVss OF life or destruction OF prom 7 {
erty, facts hat lend great force 10 The (
necessity OF providing for its maintenance" !
Upon the subject Of age the adntant !
general delivers himself OF the following. ,
ii is sometimes the thoushtIess habl, OF !,
many estim&ble legislators who oppose an p
appropriation for tho maintenance Of our j
o!hhteeF guard 10 SPEAK In terms OF ridi-
ule or contempt Of it because OF the arc
I its menbers. / beg to remind them that 4
~ the young men who principally fleh, L
Ae batues OF country. The average Of q
nc feaeral army at Gettysburg, iucluding 81
nc fAdefs Was - years and on the Con- .
elelale side 1t war less Forres1. proh u
biy "a. greatest cavalry leader that ever -
we'd Neen !oit to his own resources was I
iefer attacked Ior defeated and IL was
20 y2Ath OF our southland that followed I
IS Wuh1e. NheiheF IN victorious battle
. pressing pursut7 the flash OF his hlads
vas reflected from sabre carline ar ristoi .
aIre n the grasp Of Young men who ro5s -
nv iouEhf under his banner After fva "
ears 81 war with combined Rurope fbe Z,
Fett napoleon was forced to Impress ibe 90
Jun OF ms country into his armies.
I was common 10 see young soldiers NJ "a n
ma IL years of age IN the iiuifo~r, - q
rance ana adding 10 the Victories no hss
Won On one occasion when Napoleon vas
r'ieNlug ms army. he intreuid Mn le
'hVse desperate charges hsh made him a ei
Goa )uHge o. soldiers TO lead. was by his Of
lnt' As these young troors nassa1 In 70
Few he turned 10 he great bar,Ie 49, ~ ~ Sc
ma sald; sire. n YOU will place mo in ct
omHand 81 these troops / viii pledge to ri
'iare the tri-color In victory upon the :.
amparis Of the enemy They do not know II
men l,a they arc whipped and win follow nv Ell
e ,as sh'p' but Wonder grizzled veterans 70
10" az much Of the field as their lead n,
rs II Is from seemingly forlorn hones. =,
hat victory Is often Won '''eA -
Tho adjutsnt general calls attention +, ~ ~
ne states implied obligation under the a,
ons'liuiion and the statutes to provide fo- n