New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-02
CONDITION OF THE MILITIA.
NEARLY ALL THE STATES USING THE
SAME RIFLE.
ARTILLERY ARMAMENT AND EQUIPMENT OFT OF
DATE AND ~ POOR coNDrTIoN-Hos-
PITAr. CORPS IN FAIRLY


Washington Aprl 1.-The Military Information
Division OF the War Department has in prepara-
,ion = publication giving a great mass OF informa-
ton concerning the militia 81 the different states
and Territories based returns for 1891. II Is OF
particular interest at this time In view Of the pos
slbilitv of this reserve army being called Gil for
active duty Tor the sake OF ready reference
there has been prepared summary showing
the more important features OF the operations OF
the Guard Among the facts shown are the fol-
lowing:
The total authorized strength IS lsis4s more than
tho organized strength. oklahoma has the small
est force 500. and New-York the largest
There are regularly organized State hospita! or
ambulance corps In California. Georgia. Illinois.
Indiana Maine Massachusetts, Minnesota. New
Hampshire New-Jersey. New-York, Oregon. Rhode
Island Utah. Vermont and the District or Co.
lu-nhia Many of the States have complete and
enlcien. regimental hospital and ambulance corps
Signal corps are reported as organized In num-
Der OF States.
Official State encampments 81 instruction were
ho,d :, thirty-one States in 1897 Tire duration Of
the encampment varied from Two days In NEBRASKA
10 ten days in the District OF Columbia. six days
boins the average. Regular troops encamped with
state ,roops In Alabama California. Kansas Mich'-
ran. Minnesota, Tennessee. Texas and Vermont
sixteen States-Connectcut. Georgia, Illinois.
Maine Massachusetts, Minnesota. Montana. New
HAMPSHIRE New-York, North Dakota. Ohio. Rhods
Island. Tennessee. Texas Vermont and Wiscon-
sn-are reported owning their own camp
grounds.
As 10 armament. the conditions are:
Infantry-Al OF the States except Delaware.
Idaho Illinois Louisiana and Network are COM
pletely armed with the Springfield rife. calbre S.
In New-York the Remington rifles are now being
exchanged for sprInshelds. calibre As
Cavary-The cavalry Of all the States IL armed
with the Springfield car5.ne calibre As except IL
earn az
Mexico. The Illinois cavalry is reported same
as In regular service" The greater part or the
cavalry is also armed with the sabre and revolver
IN addition 10 the carbine.
Ar,ulery-Thirty-on out OF thirty nine States
having artillery organizations have one or more
Caring guns Many Of the States have the S2-inch
breechoadng rifles. but large proportion OF tho
artillery armament is old and out Of date
The IN 1871 though II ar rom 0 es
pete. In almost all cases the artillery harness is
9d ana s IN All he States o%n 10. MOUNTS
There was slight increase H. 1891 In the number
% Sd s ,c fa Guard in cooTsdo conneccut pea
ware. Kansas Nebraska New-York, North Caro-
c cons r snd he e' District Of Columbia
Weekly drills by company and field exercises were
regular course Of instruction at the home stations
during the winter months. Guard duty was per-
was a marked Increase in the amount OF outpost
duty Target practice was held In thirty-four
Although many Of the states permit the existence
OF independent commands. the tendency Is more
TO discourage their support or organizaton. par
tlcuariy near the home stations az the National
Guard FOR tho reason that they absorb material
that would otherwise find its way into the ranks
OF the regular organization and besides. not being
subject to the uniform administration and dis
cpine OF the regular state forces. they cannot be
counted on I'm IN emergency
In tho following States and Territories the Guard
was called on 10 aid the civil authorities In main
tanning the law: Alabama, California, COLORADO.
Illinois Kentucky. Ohio. Pennsylvania. Texas.
WASHINGTON and New-Mexico.