Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-01-12

National Guard law conforming
nearer that OF other and more pro-
gressive States. permitting 1t TO
arrange its regulations nearer those OF
the regular army, aud this, with hn
appropriation Of s5, 600, permitted 1t to
make some improvements. The appro-
piration, however, was inadequate Tor
the purpose Of giving the troops any
field mannuvres, which is their
greatest want to more fully prepare
them for emergency needs.
1.-THE roof of the State Arsenal is in
fast decay, and ii is hoped the present
Legislature will order new one.
while tho First Delaware was not
able to 20 20 the front for service in
the late war, it filled many positions of
trust and honor, and it Is much to be
regretted that this excellent regiment
should have been mustered out of the
service in its entirety, and largely
through the efforts of parties outside
of the military arm OF the State, and
against tho expressed desire OF num-
Der of its valuable officers and men.
"As this regiment, by tho governor y
order, was furlougbed and granted
leave of absence to serve its country.
it was ordered to report ut tho several
armories as soon as its muster out ot
the service Of the United Statos was
accomplished, which is completed, and,
after q short furlough, IL will again
assume its usual company mannuvres
and drills.
1.-THE State Arsenal should be in
speoted by committee of tho Legis
lature during every session, for, like
all buildings, it will decay from active
wear.
"The attention OF the Legislature is
called specially to the matter of records
| A complete record of the military his
tory of this State should be In the ad.
iutant generals office. The records 0
the war of 1861-1S65 are incomplete.
or the War OF the Revolution, the wa
of 1912 and the Mexican War there are
no records. / have persistently asket
for this, and again urge it. upon tn,
ground of its extreme usefulness.
IL respectfully submit there SHOULD
be such legislation as will increase tn
military force of the State to IL com
panies, making them one regiment o
three battahons Of four companies
each. This will conform to the regula
army, and avoid irregularities in on
formation. To make the Nationa
Guard more effective, there should b
an additional appropriation of S., 0oO
that some field practice could be has
at least once in two years, this beinI
the only means of getting the actiy
force together for any mannuvres, ant
/ strongly recommend such action.
RIFLE PRACTICE.
The report of tho inspector Of ritl
practice says.
"Being appointed to this department
late in 1897, but small results could b
accomplished that year. For the seaso
Of 1898, preparations had been made
actively carry on the work of riff
practice, but the calling Of tho reg
ment into the field, preparatory I
being mustered into the service OF tn
United States, confined the work {
this department to that time.
"Owing to the many duties devoly
ing on officers and men incident to tn
rush TO be in the service of the Unite
States, rife practice, unfortunately
had, OF necessity, to be secondar
consideration. The men, however
; with avidity, whenever tho oppol
tunity arose, grasped the opportunit
of getting on the ranges, showing col
clusively that, with proper facilitit
offered, rifle practice would not be
dead issue with the National Guart
rs it has been for past years, owing
the lack Of State support.
J Further reports on Nth pagel.