Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-08-25
STATE HOUSE.
National Guardsmen Desire
Establishment Of State Shoot,
Insurance Department Preparing Di-
rectory Of Companies and Agents.
New York Financial Paper compIi.
ments Maine Officials.

Major General A. B. Farnham. adj
jutant- general, who has been in An
gusta continuously since the week be-
fore the beginning of the National
Guard encampment, returned to his
home in Bangor on Saturday. Mrs.
Farnham was here during the two
weeks of muster, also.
General Farnham is greatly pleased
with the outcome of the muster, and
he is very greatful to the officers of
the camp for the care and attention
which they devoted to their respective
duties. 1t may be said that there has
been no better muster ever held by the
militia of Maine, and to the officers
and men great credit is due for this
result.
1t was thought early in the season
that because of the condition of the
finances of the military department no
muster could be held this wear. hut
Governor Hill and General Farnham
agreed that it would be not only a sad
disappointment to the members of the
Guard to forego the encampment for
1902 but that it's postponement to
another year would work an incaIcul-
able injury to Names citizen soldiery
which would require great expense
and increasing labor to remedy. And
SO. General Farnham began to figure
how he could hold the usual encamp-
ment without overdrawing his allow
ance for the conduct of the military
establishment of the State. He con-
cluded. finally, that by cutting down the
number of days in camp under nav
from five to four he would be able 10
save $1,000 or more. In this respect his
estimate has been more than verified.
and the saving thus made will nearly
reach $500. Besides this saving. Cen
eral Farnham has practiced the strict
est economy in the routine expenses of
his department and when the year is
ended he will be able to show fine
record.
One important fact was demonstrated
during the encampment and that was
that the rifle shooting, which is as i'm
portant an adjunct of military train
ing as any other branch of the service.
should be to a certain extent divorced
from regular camp work And the
necessity for the establishment of a
separate encampment of a couple of
'>' - ~ ACh S'N ooiC pun Pooc VI Illle
is imperatively demanded.
Col. E. c. Dill, the energetic inspector
of rifle practice, has often
urged the wisdom of having a State
shoot each year Independent of the
regular muster of the troops: and now
the officers of both regiments have
come around to his way of thinking.
They realize that the marksmen of the
Guard during a limited encampment
Of four days, or even five days, cannot
find the time to devote to the work of
the range and at the same time give
the proper and needed attention to
battalion and regimental
drills.
1t is therefore certain that the next
legislature will be asked to appropriate
$1,000 or $4,000 for the holding of a State
shoot. open to all National Guard
at some convenient point
in the State. OF course, Augusta
would be the natural place to have the
shoot. inasmuch as the necessary ac-
are here on the muster
ficld ready for use at any time.