The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-11
Alabama Soldiers in High
 State of Efficiency.
Adjutant General Has Many Re- concentrations as to Laws and Urges That Fewer Courts
 Martial Be Held.

Col. W. W. Brandon, Adjutant-G General of the Alabama National Guard, in his biennial report, filed yesterday with the Governor recommended fewer courtsn,ar- tial and that all courtsmartial be held while the troops are in camp without ex- pense to the State.
 The recommendation was one of num- Der of important ones contained in the report which is the most voluminous dc cument ever prepared by the Adjutant- Generals oflos. The report deals ex- haustively with the present condition Of the Alabama National Guard and in it are embraced many valuable suggestions looking to the future efficiency of Ala bama's soldiery.
 A Total of 3,o62 Men.
 The report shows that the total strength of the Alabama National Guard is 3,062, officers and men. It is composed of three regiments of infantry. containing thirty six companies, aggregating 2.2iS officers and men; one squadron of cavalry, com posed of four troops, aggregating BOT officers and men; one battalion of artil- lery, composed of four batteries, aggre- gating BOT officers and men; Goverifor and sts fl, 16; Brigade Commander and stan. 1s: Field stan and staff of infantry regi- ments, 6s; field and staff of artillery and cavalry, IS.
 The total also includes the negro com pany at Montgomery, numbering 7S men.
 Property Valued at $1o0,ooo The Adjutant- General. after closely es- timating the equipment of the States troops. says that it has now property worth about $10o,000 There remains in the National treasury s24,2s7.so due the Alabama Guard for equipment, which will probably be expended in the coming year.
 As to the encampment of 1902 by the various commands, Colonel Brandon says in his report:
 "The encampments were eminently sat. isfactory and. in my judgment, the best we have had in years"
 The report deals in detail with the vari- ous camps.
 Colonel Brandon draws attention to the fact that the annual appropriation for the National Guard is only $12.50 This, he declares, Is inadequate and he recom- msnds that it be increased by the Legis- lature. as the present amount is insuf- ficient to attain the desired object
 Responded to Every Call.
 He calls attention to the fact that in each instance during the period covered by the report, when the National Guard has been called upon for active service to suppress mobs, or other violations of law, 1t has cheerfully responded with alacrity and enthusiasm. There were no instance in which the troops were called out that a prisoner was taken from a sheriR and lynched. The troops were under orders to preserve the law fifteen times. The Adjutant-General speaks in highest terms of the spirit and service of the officers and men called out to protect the peace. and dignity of the State.
 Special attention was given in the past two years to target practice and much improvement in marksmanship is re- ported.
 The Adjutant-General recommends the | organization of the naval reserves, au. | thorized by the new Constitution, the duty of which will be to patrol and guard | Mobile in case of epidemic or disorders | of any kind.
 The building of State Arsenal a l Montgomery is strongly urged in whicf the military stores of the State shall b, l kept.