The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-22
CLEARS REPORT ON MILITARY.
CHANGES SUGGESTED ADOPTED BY
TIE ADVISORY BOARD.

Hooks of Record Not kcpt-Amend-
mcnts to Military Law Needed.
Ten Companies on PrObation-Col-
orcd ArtiIIery's status.
Atlanta. Sept 2l.-The report of Inspect
or General Obear was given ouc to-day.
II was filed several days ago with Acting
Adiutant General Byrd. and by him sub
n1itted 10 Gov Gambler who, in turn, re-
ferrod il to the advisory board.
Col Opear recommended several changes
which were unanimously adopted by the
board. The report embodies many valu-
able suggestions. the result Of repeated
conferences between the Governor. the
acting adjutant general and the inspector
general
The hrst recommendation is that the
First Battalion of Cavalry be assigned TO
the First Regiment of Cavalry, putting all
cavalry troops in one organization under
one head. to conform more closely 10 the
law and that their interests may he better
cared for by their commanding officer. He
recommends that the Fifth Machine Gun
Battery be transformed into an infantry
company. or consolidated with the Atlanta
Artillery. as they may prefer, for the
reason that machine batteries attached to
regiments are contrary TO the best inter
ests of the service.
signal Corps and Artillery.
lie also recommended that no signal
corps be permitted to organize until the
law is changed. and he suggested that the
law be so amended that signal corps may
be organized as separate corps assignable
to duty whenever and wherever needed I'M
der officers of appropriate rank, and also
that the two batteries of artillery be
equipped with a pia tOon of two modern
breach loading field cannon and a platoon
of TWO eating guns. three of which the
state now possesses necessitatng the pur-
chase of one more at a cost of about 81
600 This armament for the artillery will
make ID a much more serViceable Organi-
cation for the use OF the state and at the
same time will give the men all the Drac-
tice needed with the modern field pieces
10 equip them for war service should they
ever be called upon.
The addition Of quartermaster sergeant
10 infantry and cavalry companies is sug-
gested, and the minimum OF an companies
is to be raised to forty listed men and the
maximum to one hundred and six to more
nearly approximate the strength of com
pRnies in the regular service.
Col Obear reports that on his inspection
tour that he found but very few compa-
mics paid any attention whatever TO the
care and proper use of their equipment
and recommends also that every piece OF
state property, before it is issued from the
state arsenal be properly marked, as
great many of the company officers do not
know how or neglect to properly mark
their property and cannot identify it when
lost or stolen.
In but few organizations were the re-
quired books of record kept regularly. One
was the enlistment book or sheet when
hereafter will be issued in book form, and
al Tegimental battalion and company com
/.
and properly all authorized books of rec
ord.
No More Encampments.
The report advises against future
campments, ana urges that it is the first
duty of the state to make an appropria
ton to assist the companies in meeting
everyday expenses, such as armory rents,
lights, janitors, etc, ana towards that end
recommends that at least $500 per company
be allowed for the purpose above named
said appropriation to be paid quarterly to
the commanding officer of the company,
conditioned upon the fact that his com
pauy is in first-class condition; that all
books of record have been kept up TO date
and returns have been promptly made
and that at least one drill per month has
been held at which 90 per cent. of his
enlisted strength has been present This
LAST condition. The inspector general re-
CARDS al very necessary, because a very
small per cent of the enlisted strength of
the companies attend weekly or monthly
drills, and unless these men attend regu-
larly and are instructed, their efficiency
10 the state during the year amounts 10
very little This expense of armory rents
IS now paid by each company and IL the
men of the companies are not required to
pay out any money at ALL they would
more cheerfully spend their pro rata share
for a volunteer encampment
New Laws Needed.
The report declares that there are
great many minor amendments needed for
the military laws, and as requested by the
Governor, Col. Obear viii submit before
the session of legislature a few amend
ments that are most necessary.
The adoption of an up 10 date military
code for this state, complete in every de-
tail. which can be issued to the troops in
pocket form, is also recommended.
The report concluded with the statement
that the inspector general has gathered in
from the hands of irresponsible parties a
large amount Of state property of which
the state had no record, the cost value of
which alone far exceeded the cost of in
spection Prominent among the articles
named are one brass cannon. complete
one forty-hve calibre Calling gun com
plete, several stands of fifty calibre arms.
besides much equipment, which had been
lost sight of or which was stored away in
armories and the use of which was needed
by other companies.
Put on Probation.
The following is a fun list of the GONNA
MES put upon sixty days probation by the
board.
Ken Rifles, Statesboro; Floyd Rifles Ma
con; Americas Light Infantry, Americas
Rome Light Guards, Rome Lexington
Light Infantry, Lexington; Elberton Rifles.
Eiberton; Fort Gaines Guards Fort
Gaines Washington Rifles. Sandersville;
Perry Rifles, Perry; Troup Hussars, La
Grange.
The advisory board decided that enough
companies be admitted TO make the num-
her OF companies in the state sixty, which
would require about ten new companies to
be enlisted, these ten 10 be selected Accord
ing TO geographical and other advanta-
peous considerations.
TO Have Another Chance.
No. ,..il h. n1n 1lnnrn mi Ii n ~ .o..,