New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-18
WANTED: REORGANIZATION
STRONG SENTIMENT IN THE NATIONAL
GUARD.
THE FORMATION OF ONE DIVISION. COMMANDED
BY A MAJoRGENERAL WHO WOULD SERVE
WITHOUT PAY AND HAVE HIS HEAD
QUARTERS IN THIS CITY.


or the advantages which would follow re-
organization of the National Guard. and Its
views have been indorsed by some Of the most
competent officers In the service. but no steps
have as yet been taken in that direction. When
the State troops paraded on the occasion OF the
dedication Of the Grant tomb. and four brigade
commanders compelled to act as subordi-
mates to staff officer. It was believed that the
circumstances would add force to arguments In
favor of new order Of things, bring about the
desired change. and prevent similar exhibition
taking place In the future. But nothing was
done In the matter and 1t Is believed by many
officers that If the State troops should be ordered
out the Adjutant-G1neral would feel himself
justified in assuming command
FAvORITE TOPIC.
But reorganization is still favorite topic with
members of the Guard who have the good OF
the service at heart aud all will read with in
,crest the following. which will appear in THE
Army and Navy Journal to-day:
Since the late General Josiah Porter began the
reorganiza lion OF the National Guard OF New YORK.
It has been considered part of the plan OF reor-
ganization that the State troops should have a
permanent military commander 1t was Known 10
OF his plan to complete the reorganization.
At the last meeting of the National Guard Asso-
ton OF the National Guard was discussed By the
officers but the matter was not brought before
the convention. At that time two plans were sug,
gested. one for the formation OF a division and
the appointment Of a majorgenerai. with head,
quarters at Albany. the major general so appointed
with his staff to be the permanent staf OF the
Governor. each member OF the stan to receive
a salary the same as received by oflGers OF
similar rank In the United States Army. The sec,
ond plan proposed was to DIVIDE the National MAJ
Guard into two divisions, the headquarters OF one
division to be In New-York and TO he composed
of the First and Second brgades: the second diyi,
to be composed of the Third and Fourth hrisades.
In connection with TINS second pan IL Was p' b
posed that the Governors stan Should also DO
reorganzed. ,.,,
assumed that the troops OF the state should o oe
formed into division. and further assumed
that 1t was necessary to nave me ra}pt ., can
headquarters a, Albany ana supported tnele noi
tention that the general ana san sn1uIu pe pa t
the ground that it would he lmposspie 10 ootafh
GERS accept places upon the stat unless ADEQUATE
was paid to them o snq 'H o to
the necessary duties az 1t would require me en.ae
strongly opposed by nearly all the commanding off,
GERS OF the First and Second brgades on he GROUND
that the efficiency and esprit Of the National Guard
would be lost IL the commanding officer and mem,
bers OF his stan were to receive compensatory ana
ns1 ers Of tSe staff would be such considerable
sum that the appointments OF the star ofilcers Woud
be controlled by politics. and on the turther groun9
that the compensation that might be Pa!S would 0si
be insufficient 10 obtain the servces OF the most
desirable men. It being necessary TOT 'he'n u ie
The second plan or the formation of two divisions
because It was felt necessary that immediate ACTION
should be taken on account OF the Greater New
tronns Of Greater New-York should be under one
command and that the organization OF nTst Gy,
would REQUIRE The formation OF second division.
composed OF the Third and Fourth nrgaG ,ho, he
ma or-gcneras and their staff should serve without
This plan r was m9 bai the practical
command Of the State troops would si remain VIII, WIN
the Governor and his staff and that orders OF uetd
nd
State headquarters. This plan was thought 70 oe no
bs be defect Sye Of 's another
through which all documents mus jd bs lack os
u uTifS in the drill and discipline of the troops
OF '''' ''"''' ANOTHER PLAN.
After these and other plans had been thoroughly
discussed a third plan for the reorganization OF the
National Guard was suggested which seems TO 3D.
yiate the defects Of the other suggestions ana 10
meet the requirements Of those anxious ior the iH
provement and reorganization OF the National e'ua'u
upon a military basis. This plan OF reorganization
Thai the National Guard Of the state should he
organized into one division ana De m fhe brigde
commanders and the com'nanIng 9,c,i IN he
ments and who shoTS nay a ma ier-ceneral and his
stan should serve without coInpshsaoOij 10 nnnble
the criticism that volunteer officers woud De uaos
70 give the necessary time TO perform me uIteS oa
the several stan departments 1t IS PROPOSE on ' or
detal an assistant In the departments OF ~ ,,SCa.
tantGSneral OF Inspection and OF Rif,e fiacuoe.
ma, b ontj,ni 10 receive compensation; that
the ma general have authority to appoint SuSSa
IN, 49, or anpoint or detail officers of the Ma
tonal Guard II Is believed that VniSo ,,.Irg -
IHiie1 states Army would be more man Willie re- ~
be annointcd as assistants upon the DIVISION san
and TO give their entire time 20 tg roraive in adj
count Of the compensation they wouti Iectlne ,rny
dItion 10 their salary 1 the tinted s.ates hhh{
Should the majorgenert. 1 T,or,I 'uard OF the
Sac ~ nh these places in the three dcpartTnenrs
most desirable men could aiw3ys Tnnans5ton they
So long these men received cIiigs,on statf but
would MOI be members OF the dlvlsion .'i r,.bcb
they were detailed. ana u otneI H,o
essary other details could DE- H'"Ne
ADVANTAGES OF THE SCHEME
Such plan az this would put the entire Ma,
tIonal Guard ir charge OF one oineer' WHO wou,'
receive 10 compensation and woui" "a'e ,au
perience IN the National Guard ""u ."e
,,orts n the division and brigade stafs shou'u pe
limited to persons who had held a coh''i'S'i'" ~
the National Guard. This plan "ou'd uiSo pel'"'s
ro,uior annual inspection under the drectioh %
the division commander, in the AdJutah'-"e,e'"
Department Inspection Department anu III Ia,
Department OF Rifle Practice The expenditure -
Tho augmentation for the National Guard w S
,ne pp undor the direction OF the MaJor-Gen
era 1t is also contsmpatfI tI"' mel, e~ecutive
the Governor Se Governors staff should be reduced
to one adjutan-gene OF ne st@u ,oyf one chief
neral who shall be IN. chiSI OF S'ar ,arni each
~ ordnance and one judge-advocattStl
NJ tho grade o, colonel ana io', "u' IT. d'tiaas
o h ~ ths Grade of lieutenant colonel Inc Iu.ies
performed BY the different departinentS h VI co one
soiid9ted into these three departments anu tle
c,nvarnor shnud be authorized 10 appoint on. one
hoSt.io, ~ o,ch den1rtnent with rank OF heuten-
antcolonel and what other assistance was nFcos
sarv should he performed by clerks or dtuats to Iii
sil' si, ,I Guard With such an organization an
details for should be maGe Sy i aowed to
no could order division or brigade en-
Nv nnnts or brigade or regimental marches AS
IT. aHy,n,aee OF having the Headquarters OF me
dirision in Nrw-York city Is very obvious. ne
ba.drr, rte-S would be where three ourtnS o. tIe
,ronns arc stationed. Candidates for the place
or Maor-General would be- found among men VIZ
Rad hod expcrlence I'm commanding troops WheIss
here had been brigade and division formations ana
where the most available men In every respect
n'id oi,x,va he found To make the Headquarters
AZ Albany. the services of the best men IN IN, me
g. no,id not no obtained at any compensation