The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-02-14
NqtionalGuards
Continued from Page Threc.)

be out of place here. III
1t is well known that four years
ago our equipment was inefficient,
our .tentage old and obsolete, no
cots, no oyercoats,3 but few blan.
kets. etc. and that international
strife was prevalent 70 such an ex *;
tent as to cause the then commanE
der-in-Chief to recommend that one
Of our Regiments be mustered out
of the Service. This. however. was
not done and the result obtained
from every standpoint during the
past four years. is most gratifying.
Among the first duties performed
by the present Adjutant General
was the taking of a careful invoice
of the property in the possession Of
the different Organizations of the
property in the arsenal. of the funds
on hand and to outline a plan to Sc
cure the necessary equipment. Or
ganization in the country. We eth,
or have on hand, or have ample
funds for the purchase of supplies,
for which requisition has been
made. to cover every item of equip
mcnt used by the Regular Depart
ment.
1t was thought in the beginning
that no Organization of this kind
could maintain n high standard Of
efficiency without being properly
clothed and equipped and. further,
that the then armory facilities were
inadequate and not such as to in
spire either respect or confidence in
the Organization. As you all we'll
know, the State did not have the
funds i, to provide respectable and
ample .armories. A majority Of the
officers and enlisted men Joined me
In an effort to secure better ar
mory facilities. In many of the
towns of this State, the live, wide
awake, patriotic business men came
10 our rescue and constructed for us
magnificent buildings, such as the
one We arc occupying tonight. To
the young men of your city. who
made it possible for us to have these
pleasant surroundings. We are I'M
der lasting obligations. "A
Gradually It became known
throughout the Organization that
we were working with a view Of
hayink we'll equipped, well housed
and thoroughly disciplined organi.
zation. During this period our
camps were models Of discipline,
meeting with high approval from
the Regular Army Inspectors. When
the call TO arms came our organiza-
ton was ready for the field and the
response by the different organiza-
tons was prompt. Company Com
manders took with them to the
field we'll disciplined, strong.
healthy, sober and efficient body Of
young men. whose ancestors, in
practically avery Instance, had par.
ticipated in the wars of the past.
The National Guard OF West vir-
sinia today, stands as a guarantee
OF the security Of both life and prop
erty and the maintainencc OF law
and orders within our common
wealth and Is ready to go on the
firing line at any time in defense
Of the Nation.
Two weeks ago, attended a
meeting Of tie Adiutants Generals
at Washington. at which time We
were invited to call on the secre-
tary Of War, who in a thirty min
ute talk. emphasized the statement
| snake above and referred to our
Organization as having for It's
foundation Patriotism. 1t gives
me pleasure to say to you that the
present Secretary of War is thor
euglily in touch with the work the
Militia is and has been doing and
of its rapid strides and is wording
hand in hand with us fol, stronger
and more capable Organization for
the future. / am impressed with
the belief that, If we do our part
well, he can be depended upon to
deal squarely between the Regular
Department and ourselves and to
meet all questions, which may arise.
in capable and statesman1iise man,
ner.