The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-03-02
ADJUTANr GENERAA's REPORT.
Interesting Facts Contained In inc One
 Just Presented to the GovernOT.

Interesting Facts Contained In inc On' Just Presented to the Governor.
 Ad1utant General Louis Van Keuren presented to the governor yesterday the
 annual report of his department. At the close of the fiscal year, covered by the report, the Connecticut National guard consisted of the following organi- cations: Brigadier general, staff and non-commissioned staff, 15, First regi- ment officers and enlisted men, '67l;
 Second regiment, 72O; Third regiment, 3S9; Fourth regiment, 5l7; Brigade Sig nal corps, 41; Battery A. "A; Machine Gun battery, 42; Naval battalion. l97; making an aggregate of 2107 on Janu- ary 4, 1S99 Commenting upon the nu- merieal strength of the guard, the re- port says: Tt must be understood that the guard has been in the process Of reorganization particularly that por- ton which participated in the lase war. In process of reorganization numerous complications have arisen, some of which demanded and received heroic trea tment. The number of enlstments
 
 532. The business of the department for the fiscal year has increased at least third, occasioned by the re-organi- zation of the guard together with many changes that have been made in the rank and file"
 The present armament of the guard the new Springfield breech loading rifle calibre 40 is, in the opinion of the ad- jutant general, amply sufficient and is much better than a longer range rifle Of smokeess powder is used), in case of riot or instruction, as the latter would be liable to injure inoffen- sive citizens a mile away from the scene and disorder.
 The Naval militia, as now composed, consists of naval battalion, sub divided into three line and one engineer divisions. The aggregate strength September 30, 1899, was 197. The en- gineer division will probably be dis banded in the near future, and its officers placed upon the staff of the commander. The personnel of the na- val battalion is excellent.
 The following Is summary of the mlli- tary enrolment as returned by the select men January, 1899: Total number enrolled 112,506 total number liable to military duty cmpt for legal causes, 28,645; total nun Der liable to communication tax, S5,S61. The expenses of the Connecticut National guard for the fiscal year reached total of $219,- 456S2.
 In conclusion the report says: "The eX- perience of the last war demonstrated the fact that the c. N. G., under the present organization and law cannot be considered an auxiliary to the United States army, when called upon for two years volunteer service. It Is hoped that congress will give this matter careful consideration. Connec- ticut's record, despite the attacks which have been made upon Its military ndminls- ish-American war, furnished in sixty days more than 3,400 men, 1,140 In excess of its quota. The experience obtained In the Spanish American war Is convincing ar gnment that the elective system of nom- hating commissioned officers is defective, as in many instances men are elected simply on account of their popularity without much regard! as to ,capability Nomlnatlons of officers should be based solely upon
 Tt is earnestly hoped congress will and clearly outline its plan for National guard reorganization, and when this is done, Connecticut can very properly bring into existence the commission raised by the last general assembly for re-organiz ing the National guard of this state, There should be but two regiments recruited, pos siby on q basis of one battalion from each district organized as at pres ent for state service, and one regiment re- cruited for service anywhere under call by the president through the governor, the of fcers to be appointed by the governor or the war department. The adoption of this policy by every state, (the number of regl- ments to be in proportion to population), would give the Unified States q superb force exceedingly valuable as second line to the regular army