JOHN GAYLE.
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accoutrements to which, by the existing laws of Congress, we are entitled.

 70 JOHN GAYLE. To lis Erceliency John Gayle, Govcrnor of

 the State of Alabama.

 SRI herewith transmit to your Excel lency an abstract of the Annual Report of the strength and condition of the militia of Alaba- ma, which, for want of correct returns, is uIi- avoidabiy defective and incomplete.

 There has been much legislation on the subject of the militia; the system, neverthe- less, is far from being per feet. would there fore, respectfully refer your Excellency to the suggestions in relation to change in the militia laws of this State, believed by me to be highly important, contained in my com muncatons of 1899 and 30.

 In the House of Representatives, in 1929 and 80, the committee on the military re- ported bills, contemplating many alterations, which would have considerably improved the condition of the militia of the State. The said bills, however, not having passed into laws, l feel myself impeled by sense of the incon- venience under which we at present labor, and the heavy loss the State annually sus- talns, owing to the imperfect returns made under the existing defective system, feel it my imperative duty on this occasion, to sub init to your Excellency few brief observa- tions, although ofmy inability to say any thing worthy the magnitude and importance of the subject

 By reference to my communications Of 1929 and 30, it will be seen that gave It as my opinion, that an efficient militia system may be arrived at, without at the same time, de- ranging the economy and order, or materially interfering with the pursuits and ordinary oc- <unot;onr If civil l;fe mi fhiS oDiuiOn l sill entertain. There is an annnal appropriation made by Congress for the purpose of provid- ing arms and military equipments tor the whole body ofthe militia fthe United States The Adjutant General of this State IS requir- ed to make a return of the strength and con dition of the militia to the President of the United States, on or before the first of Janu- ary annually, by which return, the appor- tionuent of the arms allotted to Alabam, is regulated. The principal part of the arms distributed under this provision, are muskcts valued at S14 dollars each. My return in 1928, was 12, 586 troops. For that number, the quota of this State was 753 muskets or their equivalent, valuing them as before stat ed, would amount to S10,542 TO- My re- turn for 1929, was 14,656, which entitled us to 880, which valued as before, would amount toS12,320 From my own knowledge, and

  ficers of the State, I am convinced, that there are in it at least S2, 900 ablcd bodied troops If this be the fact, and presume no one will contradict it, our annual quota of arms should be 1917 muskets, or their value, amounting to S26, ,83S; showing under the present state of things, in each of these years, loss of about S14,O The abstract of the returns for this year, herewith transmitted, ,shcws that the evil has been still farther extended; and strongly yadmonishes us of the necessity of ma king an effort to arrest it. would, therefore, beg leave to suggest to your Exccllency the following plan:

 Let$he different months be designated by law. in which the different brigades shall muster by regiment: and let it be made the duty of Adiutants of regiments to drill the of ficers on two several days immediately pre- ceding each regimental muster; let it be made the imperative duty of the Brigader General to attend and review at each of these parades; let it also be made the duty of the Adiutant General of the State to attend each review, gvith the Brigadicr General, and ob- tain, on those occasions, from the proper re- turning officers respectively, correct reports of the strength and condition of the militia ot the State. Inthis way in my humble opinion, the difficulty in procuring correct returns would be in great degree obviated, enabling us thereby, to obtain from the General Go vernment our proper quota of arms; and be- sides, it surely is desirable, that the difiicui- ty at present existing, should be removed by adopting system which would be liable to no objections. Should this plan not be adopt ed, sincerely hope that some other wiser and better may be proposed. The defects and ineficiency of the present system, are certainly within the reach of remedy; and it is incumbent on those who see and under stand the corrective, to apply it.

 It has been said, that the arms which the