The Portland daily press., 1898-10-14
THE MUSTER OUT.
General Richards Opposed to Taking tn e
TIoops to Augusta.
(Keanebec Journal.)

Adiutant General Richards has very
good plan for the muster out Of the first
Regiment, that would appear to be much
bettef than any yet suggested. The gen.
eral does not like the idea of having the
men brought back to Augusta for the
final muster out for many reasons and he
has written to the secretary of war calling
his attention to the circumstances as they
exist here in the State Of Maine, and
pointing out the advantages that could be
derived by having the muster ont take
place at the home stations of the compan-
les Thsse benefits as they are pointed
out would be for both the government
and the men. 1t would be far more econ
omical to both, and the risk of illness
among the men, would be greatly re-
duced.
In conversation in regard to the plan as
he sees it, General Richards said. Wednes-
day morning. that he is greatly in favor
of having each company mustered out at
it's armory used previous to its enlistment.
If the men are brought back to Augusta
it will be quite a little expense and
trouble on their part as they have to pay
their fares both ways. On the other hand
if they are mustered out at thf' home
stations. they will be spared the vApense
of coming to Augusta and it will take a
shorter time to do it. They would know
upon what day to appear to be examined
physically, and thus they would lose but
q little time, whereas If they are brought
back to Augusta, they will be kept sew
earl days, and possibly two weeks, before
the work can be accomplished.
"a great factor to be thought of in the
matter" said General Richards, sis the
health of the men. 1t win be dangerous
to bring them here in this cold weather
after they have been home month and
have gotten unused to 'roughing it, The
dangers from exposure and sickness are
yery great and we should endeavor to
eliminate all the illness that is posi- BILE.
They must be stripped and examined by
the surgeons. There is no good place at
the camp if the weather is cold and windy
and the chances through all these source:
are very great for the men to contract
severe cold and pneumonia, as well as
other diseases.
.sIf the men are examined at their home
stations, they could be examined without
any fear of colds in warm quarters
and then they would not be exposed tc
the WoaUutE lOE uays. :,
tThe economy would not be wholly on
the part of the men but the government
would save the subsistence OF the two
weeks that they would be liable to be In
camp. which is quite a bill of expense.
-Four or six of the companies could
easily be mustered out at Portland.
| There are four companies that belong In
Portland that could be mustered out one
company at time, and then If the officers
wish, the Westbrook and Biddeford conf
panies could be brought to that place, Oh
they could go to the armories of those two
companies. At Lewiston and Auburn
are two of the companies, ana 1t would
be an easy matter if it were wished te
bring the Norway company there
Brunswick and Rockland could then bt
attended to, and only the Augusta com
pany would remain. The finishing
touches could be accomplished here in
Augusta by mastering out the field anc
staff officers, and the band.''
The only thing that the general ha
done about the matter has been to call tn,
attention of the secretary of war to it.