The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-03-08

In opening the toast list of the even ing, Captain Ludington, as toastmaster, first addressed General George M. Cole, . and expressed his appreciation of the work being done by him. He then said that he wanted every man present to promise to attend the next annual ban | quet, which will be the centenary of | the troop. He gave a brief resume of 1 the troops history, and said that two of the best things the state had done by the troop were in making it cav airy organization, and in assisting 1t in the building of an armory.
 General George M. Cole adjutant general of the state, responded to the toast, "The Real Thing" He said in part: The toastmaster did not tell me what he meant by the real thing" but I guessed it myself. When this troop was organized the real thing was born. There never has beenany hesi- tancy on the part of Troop A to do things.
 They say the very best kind of sol dier always sings. A soldier that al- ways sings is the soldier that always fights when there is fighting.
 Whenever I have seen Troop A the men have been always singing. I am always glad to see you enjoying your selves as you are tonight
 The legislature has been very nice of late years because they appreciate that the National Guard is now what it | ought to be- It is not what it was three years ago. The government order has made it what it is. You can't go If there is war you must serve nine months, whether you wish to or not. You can tget out of 1t.
 The National Guard is a school for the army of the United States. It will furnish the officers for the next war. God forbid war should come. but it will come. But the National Guard is more than a school for officers. It is po- lice force. It stands as the big brother of the policeman. But for the soldier who stands ready in the National Guard costs the United States government S4.80 per capital per year as entrusted with the soldier of the regular army. who costs 1000. The whole National Guard appropriation in the state of Connecticut is about the same as the cost of the police department of Hart ford.
 There is one thing I want to impress on you. It is to become good shots. The soldier who can't shoot isn't good for much You have a good range and when the next returns come in I want to see that troop A stands way up. I was pleased at the enthusiasm you showed when you resolved to rebuild the armory yourselves after the fire. The first morning after the fire I felt bad. I am now glod it did burn down, because think you are going to get a better armory.
 Major William D. Marigold of Bridge port toasted the Brigade Staff" He proved to be the wit of the evening and kept the troops in laughter. In closing he said
 I want to say that the militia is in much better shape than a few years ago. Very much of the credit for this is due to your adjutant general. (Ap- plause). I hope that the brigade staff will be better represented at the next banquet, and I take great pleasure in accepting an invitatio to be present.
 Major John Q. Tilson, speaker of the house, said that he was in favor of ap- propriations for armories and he was not afraid that his constituents would scold him if he voted some of the states money for that purpose.
 Major Dennis A. Blakeslee, who is a member of the senate, said he, too, was in favor of granting the appropriation for tn etroop A stable"
 Lieutenant R. J. Woodruff respond ed to the toast Troop Az He said a military organization was nothing un- less fired by enthusiasm and pride for the organization. He said every mem Der of the troop was proud of the or ganization and held it in his heart next to God and country and home.
 Captain Griswold of Guilford in the absence of Captain P. P. Bishop re- sponded to the toast "The Regular Army" He said he had been accused of being prejudiced in favor of the vet erans of the civil war and the National Guard. He said the accusation pleased him and when the appropriation bill fol troop As armory comes up in the as- sembly he will surely vote for it.
 Other speakers were Colonel John H Wade, who spoke on the Inspector , and Mayor John P. Studley, who toast ed "New Haven"