The Militia and its Arms
{"newspaper_name": "The Southern journal.", "edition": "01", "page": "p2", "byline": ""}
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From The Report Of the Colonel Of
Ordnance to Congress, Of the appor-


tionment Of arms to the militia Of the


Union under the act of 1903, during


the year 1914, it appears that the


number Of the militia last year was


I,Sl0,574, and the number Of arms
distribu led, about $4,000 stand.


1t is, however, a matter of surprise


and regret that so many States have


neglected to make their annual re.


turns; Delaware has NOT been heard


from since 1927; New Jersey and


Louisiana reported last in 1929; In.
diana in 1892; Maryland ami Missis-
siPpi in 1888, aud Georgia in 1889.


Can it be possible, that the returns
OF those years are taken because they
contain greater number Of enrolled
men, and thus enable the States to
draw greater number of arms than
they would be entitled to by the pre-
sent years returns? If this is the
case, our militia system is infinitely
below what even its worst enemies
ever desired it TO be. The Senate.
erefore, is right in making searching
Inquiries into its condition at the pre-.
sent time.


The old militia system has failed
slgnally failed in this country owing
to its erempts. The skuIkers from du-
ty having employed boys and loafers,
IN many instances, to take their places
in the line, have, in justice to them.
selves, and as an apology for their re-
mlssness, actually laughed the effec.
tive militia, arms, officers and all out
Of existence.


Mr.. Buckingham, the venerable
editor Of the Boston Courier, struck
the first blow at the militia Of New
England, through the mirth teeming
columns of the "Galaxy." Co.. Pluck
and the extravaganza musters in the
Middle States seconded the attack.
and soon the sad spectacle was pre-
sented to the world, Of a nations di
vesling itself of every means of de
ience out Of pure fun-to carry on a
miserable joke conceived in malice.
and executed in revenge.


The distribution of arms is also a
humbug-not that the distribution is
not well and truly made, but that the
arms do not stay where they are put
when distributed. The guns, in most
States, are placed in State armories
or loaned to the citizens. When once
from the hands Of the Ordnance store
keeper, they are in the country, as it
Is termed. There they get mingled
with the effects of deceased person,-,