The evening times., 1896-07-29
NAVAL RESERVE INSPECTION
Assistant Secretaryofthe Navy
McAdoo Completes His Work.
HIS OPINION OF THE LADS
He Praises Highly the Efficiency and
Training of the Various Bodies That
He visited-He Has Made Several
Valuable SugeestiOns-The EvOlu-
tions Practiced by the Men.
HIS OPINION OF THE LADS

The annual inspection of the naval MILL
tary organizations of the several States
has been completed by Assistant Secretary
McAdoo.
He has also received from naval officers
specially assigned reports cmbodying the
results of their technical inspection OF
these organizations while they were in
camp or at sea in drills.
NcAdoo says that on the whole the an.
nuai exercises were highly successful The
aniuatiDg purpose was to compress the
whole program into one week. and this
was effected with praiseworthy success
by the naval officers charged with its
execution. To Admiral Bunce was left
The selection of the ships To be detailed for
the service. He was under general in
structions to give his aid in carrying out
the progra m.
SELECTING MONITORS.
Mr.. McAdco was accompanied on his
tour by Lieut.. Niblack, who has been spe-
cially charged with the care of naval militi;.
affairs in the Navy Department. They went
first to League Island and. carefully ex-
amined the old monitors laid up there,
with the purpose of selecting the best of
them for use.
The selection was made, but as the
craft in their present conditions a re utterly
unserviceable, the Department will be
obliged to ask Congress for an appropria-
ton at the next session wherewiths to
put them IN order for use.
When these are turned over the Depart
meDt will have assigned nine old naval
vessels, mainly monitors, in such geo
graphical sections as to he OF the greatest
possible use in war times.
Going to Camden, Mr.. McAdoo inspected
the New Jersey Battalion of the West Side.
These were commanded by an ex-naval
officer, and on board the monito. Ajax
made a fine showing AT HobQken another
detachment was reviewed on the Old sloop
Of war Portsmouth, and then a run was
made over to Long Island Sound to Orient
Point, Shelter Island and Gardeners ISL
and, with the design Of selecting ste for
the annual tri-State encampment, which
was held later on In the season. Through
the kindness OF Mr.. Gardiner the entire
island Of that name Was placed at the
disposal of the naval militia. ,n'ie.it :
WESTERN TOUR.
Pending the beginning of the encampment
he Dolphin, upon which they had been
taking their tour, and went to Detroit.
At that place the Michigan battalion na
val militia boarded the United States
steamer Michigan, and made a run up tho
lakes.
Mr.. McAdoo accompanied them as tar
as Port Huron, and says that the men, who
largely replaced the regular crew OF the
warslEp, made fine showing, and were
| well behaved.
Coming East. an inspection was made OF
| the Chicago naval militia. This organiza-
| ton, which was actually but two months
old when inspected, was a powerful body,
Capt. Bradford, of the Mont gomcry. which
vessel participated in the exercises OF both
the New York and New Jersey militia. is
anofficer who enjo ysthe reputation of being
profess ionally most severe critic. but in
his reports to Assistant Secretary McAdoo
! lie speaks we'll of both organizations. OF
the New Workers lie says that their profes-
fessional knowledge was good; their sig
mailing and wigwagging well done.
On storc the battalion made an excellent
appearance: at gun drill they showed ih-
| teiigence. were quick TO learn. and retentive
| of what they had been previously told.
Generally they showed a Jealous spirit
| and a knowledge of the matters ! n which
they have had opportunity for instruction.
| The Jerseyner. with very recent organ
| ization and little practical experience. did
| as well as could be expected under the con-
ditions.
The professional knowledge of the men
was not advanced, but under TIE circuIp-
stances, and the fact that they never be-
! fore served on ship board. they male a very
creditabte showing. and give promise OF
Improvement witblonger service a nd better
opportunities. The only criticism in The
matter of uniform was lack of uniformity
| in head and foot gear.