The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-02-01
WILL MODERNIZE MILITIA
Dick Bill Will Give Savannah Troops BIGGER
Appropriation
Appropriation.

The passage of the Dick militia bill,
and a subscription to it's conditions by
the state of Georgia, means much to
this state. Nor is that all, for it is
generally believed that as a direct re-
suit, Savannah will be benefited more
than any other locality in the state.
1t will be a means of sustaining the
prestige long held by the Forest City
in matters military.
That provision of the bill which will
have most direct bearing on the inter-
ests of Savannah relates to the equip
ment and arming of the militia by the
general government. BY subscribing to
the conditions of the bill the National
Guard becomes a part and parcel of
the militia of the United States, and
so shares in an appropriation of 81, OO0,-
900 to be expended in equipping the
new militia in like manner as the reg
ular army, or reserve militia.
Previous to this appropriation the
government appropriated $1,00O,O00, to
be distributed among the several
states, on requisition from the Gov
errors, in accordance with each states
proportionate representation. Georgia's
share of this amount was $4,000. In
addition to this appropriation, the
state allowed $40, 900, making the avail
able amount for the maintenance of
the state troops about $4,000. The
amount appropriated by the state was
used in payment of salaries, purchas-
ing ammunition, uniforms, equipment
(such as guns, belts, swords, etc.,
for armory rent rifie-practice and
state encampments.
At Uncle SANS Expense.
Under the provisions of the Dick bill
the encampments of the state troops
will be at the expense of the govern
ment, as also will the equipment of the
troops. These two expenses constituted
a large source of expenditure of the
state appropriation. Since it will not
have to be used for that purpose. it
will now be used for the other purposes,
namely: payment of armory rent. sal
aries and rifle practice. This will, of
course, make q very much larger
amount available for rifle practice.
This amount will be expended in the
Improvement of the ranges of the state,
and in the advancement of rife shoot
ing. There il no other range in the
state which possesses the advantages
which the Avondale Range affords. 1t
is, each year, being improved, and
gradually the military are coming to
the realization that it is destined to be
the Sea Girt of the South. And so, In
expending a larger amount for the
furtherance of rifle shooting, Savannah,
of all others is the benefactor.
Much has been written and said rel
alive to the bill which has recently be-
come a law. Few there are, outside of
the military, who recognize the mean
ing of the bill. and the changes which
will be wrought by its enforcement. 1t
is probably the most important military
bill ever passed by Congress, and one
which will regulate the militia of the
United States in a manner which has
never been approached by any similar
legislation.
Modernizes the Military System.
1t is a modernization of the military
system. While it calls for no radical
departure from military customs, and
does not infringe on the rights of any
state, it provides for closer relations
between the state and Federal troops.
for the reorganization of the National
Guard upon the regular army model.
for the re-arming of the state troops
with weapons such as those now in
use in the regular army and for joint
maneuvers of both bodies of troops.
1t is, in short, division of the militia
into two classes: The organized mi
litia, or National Guard, and the re-
serve militia, or regular army.
The primary object of the new law
is, therefore. to increase the effective
ness of both bodies of troops for both
state and federal uses. Every state
organization must be inspected once
year by Federal officers. have been in
camp for FIVE days and have held
twenty-four drills, according to the