Milford chronicle., 1905-08-11
BISHOP COLEMAN ON
NATIONAL GUARD SITE.
Thinks State Should Own Ground
WI ere Camp Can Be Held.

The proposition OF a permanent site to bI
owned by the state for the annual encamp
ment Of the Delaware National Guard, seem,
10 meet with the approval OF everyone who
takes an interest in the guard. Il is now
thought that permanent site viii be secured
within two years.
The RI. Rev. Leighton Coleman, Bishop OF
the Episcopal Diocese OF Delaware, has the
following to say on the subject;
Being an earnest advocate Of peace, l re-
gret sincerely that there is any necessity for
an army: but as IL Is the judgment OF our
civil rulers that we must have an army, theh
II is eminentiy desirable on every account
that the army should be made as reliable and
effective as possible. II kas occurred TO me
in thinking over the subject quite indepen-
IDENTIFY OF any consultation with others, that
one means towards obtaining and retaining
such an army is to be found in the perma-
nency Of site for the annual maDeuvres.
Whatever arguments apply to the advantages
ofthe annual encampment are enforced by
the considerations that underlie this idea OF
permanency.
THE annual encampment entails Of neces-
sity a considerable outlay of money, but from
year TO year this amount would be materially
reduced II it were not necessary from year to
year to go to a different place. There are
many thlngsessential to a well-ordered ca,lp.
which, if once purchased. might very we'll be
used from year 10 year, aud thus form part
OF the regular equipment OF such a camp As
long as this annual shifting OF places obtains
there must be great deal of money expen-
ded in the same direction, which could be
saved II what is bought or expended ia the
way Of improvements could be laid cut IA
the same place This refers not only 10 such
matters as the erection of water tanks and
sanitary arrangements, but also to the mat
ter Of transporting materials, which. under
permanent arrangement, would be stored
and ready at hand wherever the camp should |
occur.
''TheD again II there was permanent site. |
with improvements that void be at hand for /
constant use, the men of the regiment would |
take more pride and interest II |
caring for things which were to be preserved |
for future use. such an arrangement would I
Justify the making of such improvements ir
he site itself as would not be deemed advis-
able for only short PERIOD then to inure only
o the advantages OF the owner of the laud.
elm the same connection one cannot bu
zee the application of arguments to the rifle
ange as well as tOthe more i'm mediate camp
round, for here 1t is equally true If there be
my advantage in rifle range, the better
hat range is made the greater will be the ad-
'antage derived. Other States have already
eeognized the sOundness of the policy here
dvOcated, and the benefits from the adoption
+ this policy elsewhere are very manifest
While. OF course, the needs of Delaware in
his respect are very much below the same
eeds Of other States yet in proportion TO {
ur needs the expense of course would be
cry much smaller but the advantages would {
e proportionately no less than those which c
btafn elsewhere.
"As to the location of a permanent site, # I
ardly becomes me to express any decided {
pinion. But knowing the State as well as / Z
o. cannot think that Kent county or Sus- Z
* county can offer "a site which In all re- l
1ects would be equal to what can be founc
New Castle county. But no doubt If legis- .
tive action is sought, for putting into effect "
ch suggestions as l have already named {
lupled with the selection Of New Castle b
uuty there would be encountered the old a
me prejudice and opposition of the other a
10 counties.
'Now / have an equal affection for all is
rec counties, and never allow any dispar .
ing remarks with respect to either Kent
unity or Sussex county, but I cannot help
lndering oftentimes how 1t is that in con-
lering propositions whose immediate oper-
Ions may be located as a matter of conve- -
ence or expediency in New Castle county. "
e residents of the other two counties do not u
that what benefits Wilmington or New ~
stle county, benefits the whole State OF ~
laware. n
The benefits Of the annual encampment are va
t intended nor can they be exclusively for .
particular locality in which the site OF u
camp may be. They are OF such a nature a.
of necessity inure to the benefit OF the IS
ole commonwealth. Therefore, in select ~ ~
permanent site, the only consideration 'ii
,uld be to choose that site which, on the
ole, promises best to fulfill the purpose OF a. a.
n annual gatherings of the Delaware m W
ops"