The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-06
THE NEW STATE MILITIA
INDIANA is WAITING TILL THE FED
ERAL GOVERNMENT ACTS.
n Bill Originating I'm Pennsylvania
COntemplates Some Orig
inaI Reforms.

The primary outline of the plan on which
the new Indiana militia will be organized
was published in the Journal over month
ago. and, so far as the State is concerned,
there has been no change in the situation.
report has been sent out that the state
officials have been waiting until the Legis-
lature convenes to take further and de-
csive steps in the matter
According to Governor Mount, the Legis-
lature does not figure extensively in the
arrangements for the organization of the
new guard at this time The legislative
body on which the State is waiting now is
the national Congress, and until some ac-
ton is taken in Washington there will be
nothing done toward establishing a new mi
iitia in this State. The reason for it is
that nothing the State could do would be
of any practical value at this time, for such
extensive changes are contemplated by the
government in the future militia bodies of
the country that whatever might be done
here in advance of federal movements might
have to be completely done over.
There is bill now pending before Con-
gress, originating in Pennsylvania which
contemplates radical improvements in the
organization, tending to make the militia a
formidable arm of the national defense in
time of war. and not an unwieldy mass of
men, needing both training and muster to
make them acceptable TO the government
in an emergency. The PENNSYLVANIA bill
provides that all militiamen must be passed
by regular army examination before be-
ing mustered in, and great care will be
taken in the selection of men The entire
militia, under this new order of things,
would owe primary allegiance to the United
states government, and, Secondarily to the
State. In this manner the National Guard
would be such in fact as well as in name,
and when another such emergency arises
as has just passed it will be possible for
the government to call out the National
Guard and assign it to duty without going
to the laborious and expensive task of mus
tering them in and out of the federal sery-
ice. In other words. all state troops would
in reality be United States reserve troops
The government is asked in the bill to pay
Tor the equipment OF all the troops, and also
bear large part of the expense of train
ing them. During every encampment for
instruction the government would send reg
ular troops to camp with the militia,
cording to the branches of the service the
State has. If Indiana has infantry and ar
tllery, the government would send compa-
MES OF the same to camp with the men and
give them the beneft of their experience in
pitching camp, striking tents. the manual
of arms and all other exercises of a mill
tary nature. The expense of maintaining
these troops would be slight. so far as the
State is concerned. by comparison with the
money usually spent for an inferior force.
In addition. the State would have better SOL
diers, and they would be just as available
for state service as they ever have been.
the only difference being that state service
would be allowed by the government by
tacit understanding, although the troops
would be reserve regulars and already sworn
into the United States service. If Congress
passes the bill the State win at once begin
the organization of the militia in this State
be asked to take any step until some de-
cision Is reached in Washington.