Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1903-01-08

The reports of the insurance depart
ment show a marked increase in the
business done by the institutions over
which it has supervision and control.
This department is not only selfsus-
tanning, but annually turns over a large
surplus to the general fund.
The insurance of children on the
industrial and small weekly payment
plan is Of great benefit to a large mum
Der of people, but the law as it now
stands is an incentive to crime.
heartily concur in the opinion of the
commissioner that a law should be
passed limiting the amount OF insur-
ance on children to a burial benefit,
and fixing an age under which they
could not be accepted
Fraternal and beneficial societies, il
properly managed. are productive OF
much good to a large class Of our citi-
zens, but the law authorizing their in
corporation should be so modified as
to bring them under the control and
supervision of the insurance depart
ment. At present they are Incorporate
ed by the courts. They make no re
ports and are answerable to no de
partment of the state government
The public schools of the common
wealth have benefited by the favor
able financial condition of the treas
ury, which enabled the state treasurer
to pay the appropriations at a date
considerably earlier than usual. The
number of schools and the enrolment
of pupils have increased and the gen
eral condition of the schools is such
as to satisfy the most enthusiastic
advocate of our public school system.
The National Guard OF Pennsylvania
is at this time more efficient, and more
thoroughly equipped than ever before
in it's history. Its satisfactory cOndi-
ton is a tribute to the zeal and devo-
tion of it's officers and men and the
citizens of the state, who have given
freely of their time and effort % main
tain and advance the organization, and
largely the result of the untiring loyal
devotion and ability of the adjutant
general of the state. The common
existence of a citizen sOldiery thor
oughly prepared to meet any emer-
gency, and should necessity require,
able and ready to give the necessary
protection to life and property, and to
successfully hold in check those who
in passion menace the peace and safety
of our people. The efficiency of the
organization is not only admitted but
is subject of COmmendation on the
part of those most competent to Judge,
as is shown by the statement of the
honorable, the secretary Of war, who
after visiting the camp and witnessing
| a review of the division at the annual
encampment at Gettysburg in July,
1902, said:
This is not merely a prefunCtOTy
body of soldiers which | have seen: it
is practical body, and my words are
based upon genuine observations.
| wish the position attained
by the state of Pennsylvania, with this
splendid army, could be attained in
every state of the Union, and | think
the national government ought to
make due provision to enable the Ma
tional Guard of the poorer states.
which cannot afford to furnish the
funds like Pennsylvania, to DO what
has been done in this great common
| wealth"
The able and distinguished officer
of the United States army, detailed to
visit the encampment and report upon
the effectiveness of the organization.
said in his report to the war depart
ment: Il give it as my fixed opinion
and cool judgment that the Division
Of the National Guard of Pennsylvania
is today the most homogeneous and
solid, the most uniformly accOutred
and equipped, the most spirited. and
the most valuable division of troops
that can be got together in the same
time in this country-and in this es-
innate | am including all troops. regu-
lars, volunteers, militia, or what not,
and | would like to emphasize this
further by saying that were | gen
eral officer | would rather command
this divisiOn-rather take my chances
of success with it-than any other
division that it is practicable to organ
ize quickly in the United States.
No matter what political
pressure might oppose the step. if the
National Guard Of Pennsylvania is
ever called into the service of the
United States, let it be mustered in.
commanded and used as a whole-nOt
broken up and its fragments wedged
into various mOsaiCs with troops Of
other states, at the necessary sacri-
fee of its hOmOgeneousness, solidity.
regularity esprit, and pride, the very
qualities which most distinguish il
and make it so superb
The National Guard is in the high
est degree worthy OF the support and
encouragement of every patriotic citi-
zen. and the most thoughtful and lib
eral consideration of the general as
sembly.
The strike of the miners and their
associate worlsmen in the anthracite
coal region was probably the most i'm
portant and far reaching event of its
kind that ever occurred in the state.
It began in May, 1902, and continued
without any serious breach Of the
peace until July 81 when a riot oc-
Cured in Shenandoah, SchuyldIl
county which the local authorities
were unable to control, and which re-
suited in loss of life and terrorized the
community. The sheriff of the county
called upon the governor for assist
ance, and stated that the outbreak was
beyond his control After proper in
vestigation, it was decided that the
situation warranted action on the part
or the governor, ana accordingly, the
major general commanding the divi-
sion was directed to place such por-
tions of the division on duty as were
deemed necessary to assist the sheriff
of Schuylkill county in restoring and
maintaining peace and order The
Eighth and Twelfth Regiments Infan-
try, Companies T ana c. Fourth Regi
ment Infantry, and the Governors
Troop wer6 placed on duty under the
command of Brigadicr General Goblin