Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-10-13
MUSTER OUT PLANS,
A Good Suggestion Offered by
General Richards.
Would Have Companies Mustered Out
at Home Stations.
For Sake OF Economy and General Health :
Other Stale House Items.


regiment. that would appaar to no rn,,cs
better than any yet suggested The pom.
eral does not like the idea of having the
men brought backto Augusta for the f,pa1
muster out for many reasons. and he has
"iiete1i 10 the secretary of war calling
his attention to the circumstances ac
.iiey exist mere In the State of Maine,
anu poinling out THE advantages that
couid De derived by having tine muster
out take place at the home stations OF
the companies. These benefits as they
are pointed out would be for both the
government and the men, 1t would be
far more economical to both, and the
RISK OF illness among the men. would he
greatly reduced.
In conversation in regard to the plan
as he sees it, General Richards said
"Wednesday morning, that he is greatly in
tavor OF having each company mustered
out at IT'S armory used previous to its en-
-iistment. If the men are brought back to
Augusta 1t will be quite a little expense
and trouble on their part as they have to
pay their fares both way. On the other
hanu II they are mustered out at their
nome stations they will be spared the
expense of coming to Augusta, and it will
take a shorter time to do it, They would
know upon what day to appear to be ex-
amined physically, and thus they would
lose but a little time, whereas if they-are
brought back ITO Augusta, they will be
Kept several days, and possibly two
weeks, before the work can be accom-
plished.
"A great factor to be thought of in the
matter said General Richards, sis the
health of the men. 1t will be dangerous
to bring them here in this colu weather
after they have been home a month and
have gotten unused to 'roughing it,. The
dangers from exposure and sickness are
very great and we should endeavor to
eliminate all the illness that is possible
They must be stripped and examined by
the surgeons. There is no good place ait
the camp If the weather is cold and win
dy. and the chances through all these
sources are very great for the men to
contract severe cold and pneumonia, as
well as other diseases
IF the men are examined at their home
stations, they could be examined without
any fear of colds in the warm quarters
and then they would not be exposed to
the weather for days.
The 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 the four companies that belong in
Portland could be mustered out one COM
wish, the Westbrook and Biddeford COM
panies could be brought to that place, or
they could go to the armories of those
two companies. AT Lewiston and Auburn
are two of the companies, and it would
be am easy matter if it We're wished to
bring the Norway company there. Bruns-
wick and Rockland could then be attend
ed to, and only the Augusta company
would remain. The finishing touches
could be accomplished here in Augusta
by mastering out the field and staff Of
fcers. and the band"
The only thing that the general has
done about the matter has been to call
the attention of the secretary of war to
| the matter, and the result can be told lat
| er. 1t certainly seems as though it were
| for the best interests of the men as well
| as the government to follow the plan sug
| gested. though previous one may have
been planned and adopted.
| General Richards is just now thinking
about the soldiers and wondering if all
| the employers throughout the State are
to live up to their agreement and give
| back the situation to the men as nearly
| every employer promised last spring.
| Tho Mai Railroad G 4 Spft | ng
the good example to the employers, by
doing exactly as it agreed in May, and
every employee who went into the army
is having mis- situation held for him.
1t seems that the general has had some
intinnation that there is some one in the
State who has failed to live UP to his
| agreement, and he is wondering if there
are other mean men. 1t doesn't look very
Well for the man who promised to return
the soldier to his work when the spirit
of patriotism was so strong in May, and
who does not now think of giving the old
employee "a situation. OF course there
will be a few cases of the sort reported,
but for the good of the reputation of the
Maine people, a patriotic, honest peo-
pie, it is hoped that there will be few
who will mot do as they agreed in this
case.
General Richards will issue circular
very soon to all THE Relief Corps and the
Volunteer Aid Societies pointing out TO
them that now the men are to be mus
tered out of the service the need OF the
societies will be even greater than ever.
The object of the societies is of CHAR
liable nature, and it will need much sac
rifice ON the part of the members to 40
what will doubtless be required of Them
yet they look upon this sacrifice in the
way of reciprocating for the self sacri-
flee of the volunteers who went out to
fight for their country.
Il haven't any doubt but there will be
a great deal of suffering this winter,
said General Richards, Wednesday, and
it may be more in evidence than during
the past summer. In all probability the
State will have to help out when the
time arrives for the men who went South
and have returned inyalids, who cannot
support their families. must have care
from some source until the general gov
eminent does it's part. Many Of the con-
valescents are men with families and
they are in most cases poor people VINO