The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-02-11
OUR NATIONAL GUARD.
Reports Of Officers Show
the Militia TO Be in
Fine Condition.
DR.. M'GILL STILL ANGRY
Naval Reserve Men Hold Him
Responsible for National
Guard Aggression.
DR.. M'GILL STILL ANGRY
rspecialto .arhe Jersey city News."l

/ SStliiS Qtttds III iSPCAt %
cral Joseph w. Congdon.
The Inspector General says that the re-
turns from the annual musters and in
spections for the current year show an
aggregate enrolment of 1927 officers and
men, of whom ls4 only were not present
at the inspection. The Brigade Inspectors,
the report says, have done their work
carefully and eon%scientiously. Their re-
ports show that the entire force is in a
commendable state of discipline, well
drilled armed and equipped and ready Tor
duty at short notice.
Every man in the service, from the high
est officer to the last recruit. has a right
to feel proud of the National Guard of
New Jersey in its present condition. ana
should realize the responsibility and hon-
or which attach to membership therein.
The Inspector General pays a Well de-
served compliment to the Jersey soldiers
u Wne eha ne en aaysM division sp In : Sew a2prhfs City
upon the occasion OF the d nSne;6
memb a lesti aad t hed enc5 gnasirs5ng 81 the the
public press, together with the unstlnted
praise of many competent military critics,
Should convince the citizens of New Jer-
sey that in their citizen soldiery they
have a military protection and defense
unexcelled by the troops of any state IN
tEfDeN UNION. "A Well OISdl1lZtu atiOA
Guard, has come to be looked upon every
where as a necessary establishment, as an
indispensable arm of the law: Properly
lofficered and well disciplined. the effective
ness of it's protection is beyond contro-
version"
The Inspector General also says: THE
National Guard of New Jersey comprises
two excellent troops Of cavalry which de-
serve unstinted praise for excellence 81
material and perfection in drill and DIS
sThe encampment of the First Brigade
in July was successful and beneficial, III
spite of unfriendly weather. The services
of Lieutenant RoweH of the regular army,
were highly appreciated, and contributed
greatly TO the Improvement which was
noticeable in the drill and ceremonies of
each regiment during its week in camp.
nj Quartermaster Generals Depart
ment, always most praiseworthy, de-
serves new praise for the perfection and
th~oroughness of detail with which the
necessities and comforts of the men
were looked after. And such medical
care as was required was another exem-
plification of the excellent administrator
of the Surgeon Generals department..
Surgeon General John d. NMcGlll, III
his annual report, finds hat the present
condition of the medical department,
under existing circumstances, is Satisfac-
tory. When occasion has required.
medical officers have discharged their
duties in a competent and faithful
manner.
hi progress and Improvement in the
State Medical military service so far as
relates to the National Guard in the past
few years" says the report, has been
, noteworthy. Discipline and system are
gradually suppianting the old methods
which are so objectionable.
The increase in the soldier spirit
pervading medical officers in a most fay
| orable augury for future efficiency in the
discharge of their duties. Hitherto, to
arouse the average militia surgeon to a
correct appreciation Of duty, the stlmu-
lation Of exigent conditions was de-
manded. With him the citizen ard
soldier were blended. and the pre-occu-
patton incident to his duties in civil life
was apt to make him neglectful OF his
Al.4ts4y opngallons and only assume
them when he donned his uniform.
The medical officers of the National
Guard. having all been subjected to the
test of a thorough physical and mental
examination. afford reliable and cornpe-
tent material from which an effective
centralized medical service could be or
ganizedf should necessity demand it.
The present SYSTEM which Identities
them as officers only of some particular
command. has not proved to be alto
what responsible for deficiency in atten-
til to duty. Organize them into a gen.
eral medical staff. under the control and
direction in all matters. military as we'll
as medical, of their own department,
and their increased efficiency will be a
revelation.
1.-THE beneficent effects of medical and
military autonomy are eNempllf1ed now
in the department. staff and the hospi-
tai and ambulance corps, where the
greatest enthusiasm prevails.
"a general hospital corps for the en-
tire National Guard is the best possible
method to secure adequate, disinlerested
and efficient medical service. Such a sys-
tenn in this State has given the very best
results. The establishment each summer
Of a post hospital at Sea Grit Camp has
proved a great success. The hospital. is
cared for by the members of the Hospital
and Ambulance Corps under the direction
of medical officers; besides affording every
opportunity for the skilflll and faithful
treatment and cure of the sick and in
teal instruction to the Corps-in hospital
duty.
of the Hospital and Ambulance Corps in
general proficiency has been marked. Not
since its orga nization has such interest i'll
Is T membsr and P T8se : aste 1esa etsp at dri ns
and schools of instruction has averaged
so per cent. for the year. The attendance
at annual inspection was 100 per cent.
.The whole quota allowed by law, co
men, is now enlisted. To secure effective
sanitary service in a military body, two
per cent. of its entire number ought to be
detailed. AS the number of the National
Guard is about 1000, the hospital corps
/ ought to be increased to 50 men, which
| would be two per cent. of 1000. PrOViS-
ions should also be made for an additional
lieutenant. The present number, GO, all
lowed by statute, is not sufficient for
efficient sanitary service
The Surgeon General takes occasion in
his report to c~riticise the medical service
IN the Naval Reserve of the State. Sur
geon General McGill at one timefclaimed
That his position in the National Guard
/ entitled him to be at the head Of the med
zeal staff of the Reserve and to have
charge of its affairs. In this position DR..
McGill was opposed by Captain Jaques.
the Commander of the Reserves. who
claimed thai his MEDICAL jurisdiction did
not extend to that organization.
In speaking on this subject the Surgeon
General says: The yexed question as TO
medical service in the Naval Reserve has
not vet been settled. AS far as / know
no test of fitness or competency for the
duties Of a surgeon has ever syct been
exacted. Such a condition Of affairs as
this is unfortunate"
Should the bill now pending before the
LEGISLATURE to attach the Naval Reserves
to the W brigldes of the National
Guard become a law. this will do away
with all cause for such criticism on the
part of the Surgeon General, as it will
place tie Reserves medical affairs under
I his control. The bill has already passed
the Senate and is'now before the House.
CREDIT WHERE 1T BELONGS.
Mesgrs. Harper Bros. draw our attention
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