The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-12-31

! therefor, practice marches to cover mt
least six days, the remaining three days
! to be employed in regular camp duty.
! These combined practice marches and en-
! canpments should he entirely regimen
| tai, and confined to regimental territory.
| 4. Commission no regimental or com
| pany officer until he has passed salts
| factory examination as to his qualitica-
! tions and fitness for office.
&. Arrange il possible TO exchange
with tine Navy Department the old moni-
tor Nantucket" for a smaller and light
or vessel, capable OF entering the shoaler
waters OF our sounds and to be manned
entirely by the officers and men OF the
Naval Battalion and commanded when
on duty by the senior officer of the same.
This will not only be cheaper for the
general government, but far more salts
factory to all concerned. The naval re-
serves OF this State are composed Of I'M
tenigent we'll instructed men, and their
fitness for their work and ability to pro
perly handle and care for their ship has
been fully demonstrated.
6. | must now in simple justice to the
service and the officers who are made by
law responsible for its welfare
as possible the propriety of putting the
Adiutant General office upon a proper
footing as regards compensation, allow
ances, &c. | ann in a position to speak
from experience, and my term Of office
being about to expire, I cannot be charged
with motives of personal interest in call
ing attention to the gross injustice which
haas long been accorded Uhc Office aud the
immediate and pressing need that exists
for amendment.
Owing to the improved condition Of
affairs, and many changes relative to Che
National Guards Of the country largely
due 10 new aud more extensive legjssa
eion and military requirements, to
saw nothing az the constant
and rapidly increasing need for a valua-
BILE military force in every State owing
TO changes and causes not necessary to
to mention here The Adjutant Cen
erals office has become one of the most
important and responsible in every State
government and is generally SO recog-
nized and treated. In every other de
partment OF the State government its
chief is reasonably compensated for his
time and services, and has abundant
clerical assistance and supplies without
stint or measure The Adjutant Gen
eral, il be does his duty. must be in his
Office at least portion Of each day,
and under the most favorable circum-
stances in this State cannot possibly dis
charge the functions of his office without
great sacrifice Of time and personal pecu-
MARY loss.as the compensation and allow
ances granted the office do not amount
to half the compensation, etc, allowed
f,.,,- 4 .arfFv1s rs
If the State were unable to do better for
its soldiery and military department,
nothing would be said on this subject,
but such is not the case.
This report, in the facts it sets forth.
makes a most remarkable showing, and
one that should be source Of the great
est qualification to every citizen Of North
Carolina, and especially to General Cam
eron, for the high credit it reflects upon
his administration Of the affairs
Of the Guard Upon his entry
into office four years ago,
the Guard was armed as at present
but as far as clothing and equipment
were concerned their condition according
TO the reports Of the officers and the Inc
spector General was simply deplorable,
few companies had complete uniforms,
wflfle others were so ragged as to be
unable and unfit to parade for inspec-
ton What few blankets were to be found
among them were private property, and
some OF the companies had been furnish
ed with overcoats-as a body they were
totally unprepared for field service. There
was not a dollar to the credit Of the
Guard anywhere, but on the contrary
debt hanging over it of about $3.50, on
account of expenses incurred in the post.
A battalion of Naval Reserves had also
been organized and partially equipped
from the funds of the land forces, and
some correspondence had passed, | be-
lieve, between the State and general gov
eminent in regard to the loan of a YES
sell for practice purposes and instrue-
ton, but neither ship nor boats, boat
guns, &C., &c, had been furnished.
During the past four years, by hard
work the following results have been OBJ
tanned.
All Indebtedness has been paid off,
not cent of obligation remaining in any
quarter, while quite a snug surplus re-
mains in the hands Of the Paymaster
General A vessel of war (the monitor
Nantucket, together with the necessary
boats, guns, etc, have been secured from
the general government, and are in the
hands of the Naval Reserves.
The land troops have been completely
clothed and equipped with serviceable
regulation uniforms, both full dress and
fatigue, new army cartridges, belts, leg
gings, fatigue caps and campaign hats.
200 blankets, army pattern, with an
abundant supply of overcoats, have been
obtained together with additional tents
and camp equipments, while the officers
have been supplied with the newest pat
tern Of army revolver. So that, as has
been before stated, the entire State
Guard could be modified and put in the
field fully equipped for at least six
months service, on a few hours notice.
That the military spirit Of our young
men has suffered no decrease is shown by
the fact that since February /, 1893, up:
to the present time nearly so applications.
have been received from various parts
OF the State for permission and authors
itv IN orosa pizn new r0nn4nips Service