The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-01-14
ARM0RY AND ARSENAL
FOR NATIONAL GUARD

Among the powers enumerated by the
constitution OF the United States as be-
longing to the congress was that of pro-
Ni-.ns Tor organizing. arming and dis
cipiiuinG the militia and FOR governing
such part Of them as may be employed
in the service of the United States. re-
serving 10 the states respectively the APP
poiniment of the officers and the au-
thOrity of training the militia according
20 The discipline prescribed by congress. 10
in ike spirit. and with very similar Ian
Euage the constitution Of our own state
declares that the legislature shall pro-
vide by law for the organization. equip
ment and discipline Of the militia. which
shall conform as nearly as practicable to
the regulations for the government OF the
armies Of the United States.
This provision your predecessors have
complied with so far as seemed 10 them
consistent with the resources at their
command; and the organized militia Of
the state. while still considerably short
OF the numerical strength authorized by
our laws IS an the better provided for
through the annual appropriation OF
clothing end ordnance from the general
government. and through such funds for
-Inain;enancc and support as previous
legislatures have felt 70 grant.
4 widespread and significant awaken
Ing is to be noted. however. as to the i'm
portance Of the national guard of the
country, and it's claim upon the considera-
ton OF the people. Generally spea king.
We 10 not look upon an extensive regular
military establishment as favorable 20
lut spirit OF american institutions. The
menace 81 mihtarism has always been
recognized by our statesmen and these
Dangers have been potent in determining
the scope and motive of all legislation
upon military affairs. But recent ex-
perience has verified the wisdom of the
fathers in providing for trained and
equipped support outside of the regular
army aud at the present time a number
OF oius. supported by the national adj
ninstTatiCn and by popular sentiment,
ar Fastening toward favorable considera-
ton by congress. looking TO the increased
efficiency of the national guard. and pro-
NidinE for extensive appropriations for
lis support
AS is pointed out in the biennial report
q the acjutant general. our state can
only avail itself of the h0nors and heDe-
Its contemplated i'm these measures by
Keeping IT'S organized militia upon a sub
staniial footing, and in a prosperous con-
oitiOn.
regard as both Indispensable ana >
= economical the erection of an =
= armory in this city as the head =
= quarters OF the national guard of =
y the state also an arsenal at some =
= convenient point uea: by in which y
? surplus ammunition explosives.
: etc. may be stored. Provision =
= should be made for the expenses OF y
= annual encampments. which being 4
. undeniably beneficial and necessary, ,
= besides being mandatory under our .
= statutes. ought not TO require the .
= incurrirg OF deficiency. as WAS The =
? case last year.
I approved though with reluctance. the
course that was taken in the instance re-
ierred 10 no other plan being possible
unless the direct letter OF the law was
violated and the guard itself made the
sufferer through failure TO profit by the
actual experience which ii Is only able
10 receive in these camps of Instruction.
IN inviting YOUR attention TO the report or
the a7lutunt general. ] feel TO pronounce
MS estimates conservative, his recon-
mendati0ns sound. and both deserving OF
carelul rsNleW ard consideration.