Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-08-22

girls to tell them how we'll their hats
set.
with all due respect to the es-
tcemcd Journal we must disagree with
its position Various state institu-
lions were kept on wheels for years,
dewheeling. The Supreme Court of
vermont Is now fixture at Mont
pelicr Tho state fair died a fixture
at White River Junction after having
moved to different places In success
sion, only to he revived as perma-
nent organization under state auspi-
ces at tho place OF its sepulturc. AZ
ter the annual muster had been held
in various towns in succession, It was
located at Fort Ethan Allen, and II
was generally agreed at the time that
the weight OF legitimate argument
was wholly on the side of a permanent
location near the federal military post.
So far rs military considerations
are concerned we do not imagine the
situation has changed In the slightest.
Formerly n disgruntled official occa-
sionally arose in his place and shout
cd that the grass was too thin at tho
permanent campground, but so far as
we have observed grass as a carpet
for military operations has never fig
ured conspicuously in tho great mar
tial movements of history AS a mat
ter of fact there is n good sreenswnrd
on the campground at the present
time and this time-worn argument
has had to be abandoned.
If the members OF the militia do not
receive the proper kind and degree
OF drill at Fort Ethan Allen, IT can
not be laid to the location. There Is
| a great expanse of territory favorable
| for military evolutions and expcdi-
| lions The campground is we'll drain
ed and dry. and II ia tho testimony OF
those in a position to know that it is
| one of tho most healthful locations
| that could he secured for this purpose.
! Tho grounds are we'll supplied with
| pure water for potable purposes, and
the close proximity of tho river affords
excellent opportunities for bathing.
! In spite 81 comments to the contrary
| tho presence of the regulars serves as
| an incentive to the members of the
| National Guard, and 1t Is agreed that
| the militia of our State was never in
| finer condition as regards efficiency
and discipline than at the present
gained from constant change OF Local
| ton?
| We do not imagine that the argu-
ment for the development of the picnic
feature of the annual muster was scri-
| ously proposed. If 1t were to be so
used and accepted, we should expect
| to speedily see similar argument APP
piled to the United states military and
naval schools with the view Of putting
| those great training posts "on wheels"
Imagine military cadets at West Point
complaining that they could not de-
velop high qualities as soldiers with
out new scenes. new audiences, ne,~
summer girls to tell them how well
| their hats set" Try to conceive Of II
| naval cadet at Annapolis insisting
| that this famous institution should lie
put on wheels in order to dissipate the
''monotony" prevailing there during
his long course,
To state this proposition seriously
in connection with federal training
schools of this character is to demon
strate the absurdity of the statements
made by those parties who have been
scheming for years to secure a change
in the location of the campground of
the Vermont National Guard. The oc-
rasional officers who repeat these ar
| guments show their lack Of apprecia-
tion of all the military considerations
| involved, and II is to be hoped that
| the press will bear in mind that the
taxpayers through their representa-
tives do not appropriate money to
provide picnic for the militia but IN
order to promote the efficiency and
skill of this branch of our public ser
vice and thus prepare for certain
degree of defence in time Of need.