The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-21

A.
entered by 1853 schooners, 1873 sloops, AZ
steamers and IL barges, making total OF
Dol. AT this rate over 6600 vessels would
annually avail themselves Of the advantr
ages OF the new narbor The records at
the United States Life Saving Station on
Block Island show that for IL years pre-
vious TO 1892, 7O7, 1i6, vessels passed the
Island. During the last four years 81, 5l6
schoopers, 1886 steamers, and 6568 vessels
OF various kinds, total of 4,470, have
passed the Island.
The success attending the prosecution
OF this work has sttracted the attention
OF the United States Government. Esti-
mates have been presented at the present
session OF Congress by the United States
engineers Office providing for a channel
into the Cheat Salt Pond, % feet deep for
width OF 100 feet, at least IL feet deep
for width of 5O4 feet, and having a total
width OF 600 feet IL is proposed to ex-
tend the breakwater on the south side of
the breachway 700 feet farther into the sea,
and TO construct an additional breakwater
on the north side of the chanlel. The
estimated cost of the additional WORK IS
placed at S97. 567. IL is difficult TO cite an
Instance where Nature has made IL possi-
bic, at such a moderate expenditure, TO
produce such momentous results. A har-
Dor on the main lanu is always OF impor-
tance. A harbor located eight or 10 miles
at sea, directly in the pathway Of the i'm
mense number OF vessels passing Block
Island, Is OF greater importance.
THE STATE MILITIA.
From figures submitted by the Adjutant
Generals Office, the cost per capita OF
maintaining the militia of Rhode Island
in 1894, as compared with the similar cost
in the States of New York, Pennsylvania
and Massachusetts,, excluding rent of ar
mories END purchase and building of ar
.crsa A..A s.c. Ill
II appears that although the number Of
men in the militia is very much smaller
than in either of the other States named,
tie cost per capita of maintaining tie mil
itary establis hment was less in Rhode Is
land than in either of the other States.
Similar figures for 1895 are not as yet at
hand. The slight increase per capita in
the cost of the military esta blishment for
Rhode Island in 1895 10 s33. a3 cannot be
considered excessive, in view Of the fig
ures given for other States in 1894.
The Naval Reserve Artillery Company of
Providence was organized before the close
OF 1895. Tie organization of this COM
psny, being the third for the State, ena-
ples the battalion organization to be COM
pleted as provided in Chapters 169 and
1913 OF the Public Laws.
A greater interest has been taken in rifle
practice during 1895 than ever before. The
result of the practice and competition has
been gratifying increase in the number
OF sharp-sho hooters and OF marksmen. The
facilities for conducting this very impor-
tant feature OF the military establishment
are not adequate.
1t is expected that better facilities will
be provided for the season OF 1896, and a
longer time allowed for this exercise.
The genearl condition Of the State
militia has been clearly stated in the re-
port of the United States inspecting
officer, Lieutenant Frederick Wooley.
This document will ne found in connec-
tion with the adjutant generals report.
Ii is evident from the statements OF this
experienced United States officer that
Rhode Island may well be proud OF the
condition of the artillery, cavalry and
machine gun battery OF the State. 1t
would be difficult to bestow greater praise
upon these arms of the service than is
given by Lieutenant Wooley's commenda-
tory language. ] regret TO say that the
infantry, according to Lieutenant
Meoleyls report, is not by any means in
proper condition. TO accomplish this
desirable result, more stringent disci-
plipe IL necessary. Military life Is differ
ent from civil life; the freedom of the lat
ter cannot be expected in the former. An
individual in joining nit itary organi-
zation voluntarily surrenders, for the
benefit of his company and the good OF
the service, considerable portion of this
freedodm of action which he could Justly
claim as a private citizen.
BOARD OF SOLDIERS RELIEF.
The method OF dispensing aid to SOL
diers and sailors ana to their dependents.
was changed at the beginning of 1885,
from system employing eight agents
in different parts of.the State to that OF
one agent for the whole State. The new
method has proved beneficial both TO the
applicants and to the State. Two thous-
and and sixty-ive orders for aid have
been issued, requiring an expenditure
Of S10, $50. rs. s2. l6i. % from the appropri-
alton for 1895 for soldiers relief reverts
to the State treasury. An appropriation
for 1896 of Sl2, co., the amount asked for
bv tie Board, which Is $1,000 less than
for 1895, is recommended.
To demand that mem bers OF the militia
shsif conform to the ordinary require
ments of military organizations is not q
hardship. The officers of the militia
should have such power over the men OF
their commands as TO secure a much
greater percentage of attendance at drill
and at the annual encampment than has
recently been the case. In neig boring
States such control of the member of the
militia has been scored by the fine sys-
TEN. IL has resulted in most gratifying
attendance at drills, parades and other
military occasions. A firm, strict. ust
enforcement of military law and military
discipline is the life of a military organiza-
tion. IL is not only essential to the well
being and to the efficiency OF the com
mand as a whole, but is equally beneh-
cial and gratifying TO the individual sol
der. Few men can have the necessary
esprit de corps and pride in the organiza-
tion of which they are mem bers, IL il is
conducted in a slack and flovenly man
ner. Beneficial results are 10 be expected
in that portion of the militia which most
needs improvement from greater disci-
pline.
The present militia law of the State has
proved in many respects imperfect for the
pre- sent military establishment. Its re-
vision has been in contemplation for sew
eral years. draft OF n new law that has
received the careful attention Of the mil
itary officers OF the State has been G ~
piled. 1 earnestly ask that 1t may re-
ceive your careful and prompt attention.
SOLDIERS HOME.
The number OF applicants TO enter the
Soldiers Home has increased to such an
extent as to fully occupy the accommoda.
tions available. The inmates at the close
of the year numbered very nearly 146
Tho SDngfruct of nm additional Oayil-