New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-26
PENNSYLVANIA TROOPS.
TIE STATES NATIONAL GUARD AND
ITS ORGANIZATION.
POINTS IN WHICH IT DIFFERS FROM THAT
OF -YoRK-CAMP DUTY THAT
MEANS HARD WORK.

the observing spectator Whcn 4 PENNSYLVANIA
regiment larger body Of its National Guard
IS on parade is to the effect that the men look
like Sol Hers" on all occasions when any Of the
Pennsylvania troops have been in Ncw-fork
they have been praised for their soldierly bear
ing. their martial appearance and their lack or
the qualities which go toward making the paper
soldier"
That this was not always 50 even the most en-
thusiasic members CT the Guard will admit, AMI
some go even so far as to say that the Pennsy
vania state troops were once in such poor cond:-
ton as an organization in discipline and general
makeup that they were no credit to the Common
wealth There were formerly as many divisions
in the Pennsylvania militia as there were Con
Eress districts Then for n long time there were
ten divisions in the State, each having major
general in command, although there were less
than eight thousand troops in the whole Guard.
In those days there were button bcdecked and
! star-spanglod generals in the Keystone State
whose whole command, II II could have been
drummed together. would have numbered less
than five hundred men, Naturally, the title OF
general became cheap. There were more oihcers
In the service than there was any excuse Tor Dut
their combined information on military matters
was small and the results attained by them
were insignificant.
THE REORGANIZATION
The State troops were rcorganized In 1878. and
the ten divisions were consolidated into one d-
vision with a major general in command, and
from that time the improvement in the Penn
sylyanla National Guard has been uninterrupted
Superfluous and ornamental features were elm
mated and matters were conducted with view
to making soldiers Of the men who had enlisted
In the State service. The success has been dem
onstratcd on many occasions. and the fact Is In
terestins to the citizens Of the state OF New
York at this time. not only because -.OVD oil the
Pennsylvania State troops under General John
L. S. Goblin, are now in camp near liaZieton'
Penn, for the purpose OF preserving order. but
because the same general plan by which the
National Guard was advanced 10 its present de-
gree of usefulness and perfection is being urged
for adoption in the State Of New-York.
This State has four brgades. each under the
command OF a brigader general. and the Gov
ernor OF the State is the commander-in-chicf
The brigade headquarters are located In New
York, Brooklyn Albany and Buffalo. but when
two or more brlgaIes come together it has been
customary OF late for the Adjutant-General OF
the State to assume command of the troops. be-
cause his Office carries with il the rank Of
major general. On Grant Day Generals Fitz-
gerald, McLcer Oliver and Doyle were all in
line but had 10 take orders from the Adjutant-
General and while none Of the officers refused
TO perform his duty under the painful circum-
stances. it was well known then and 1t Is stu
better known to-day that similar occurrences
would be huitfu 10 the Guard. would jcopardzc
discipline and cOnducc to unnecessary friction
This condition Of affairs would be impossible II
the State troops were reorganzrd into one diNis-
Ion. and the superior condition Of the Guard in
Pennsy lvania is frequently spoken Of by people
Who advocate the plan.
THE GOVERNORS STAFF.
The Governor Is the commander in chief Of the
National Guard in Pennsylvania. as he is In
New York and as the Presdcn, is Of the United
States Army and Navy Like Governor Black. |
Governor Hastings has n military s:an the chief
OF which IL the Adjutant General. h. has the
rank OF brigadlcr general. He is the only gen
eral on the Governors STAFF. and he could un- /
der no circumstances ever take command OF the
State troops. The other members Il the Gov
ernors staff are an Inspector General. judge .
Advocate General. Quartcrmasior-General. Sur +
geon General General Inspector II I;ine Prac- p
ticc and chief Of Artillery, cach with the rank Of
colonel; Assistant Adjutant- General. Assist .
ant Quartcrmastcr-Gcncral and Assistant Com /
nlissary General. each with rank Of lieutenant /
colonel, and twelve aids with the rank Of leu .
tenant colonel
The division consists Of three brigade and .
the STATE Naval Militia. and these forces are .
under the command Of a major general Major
General George X. Snowdcn has "A STAFF com
posed Of eight lcutcnant-c oloncls and three
majors His headquarters are in the city Hal,
PhiladeIpha. and the headquarters OF the three
brigade commanders are: First brigade Briga-
der General J I'm ". cchall. Morrgtown: Sec