Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-12-14
MILITARY NOTES.
National Guard Officers Association-Ma'
ior Franks Report-DrilIs.

Inc annual meeting OF lHe NdliOndl
Guard Officers Association took place last
Monday evening in the armory of the Fl st
Infantry, San Francisco. There were about
forty officers in attendance during the
evening, the interior of the State being re-
presented by the Colonel of the First Ar
tillery and Captain Neary, Adult mt of the
regiment Colonel ]. J. Tobiu, Assistant
djutant-General, was present also. None
of the brigade commanders were on hand,
and their absence was commented upon.
The presiding officer stated that the object
of the meeting was TO devise ways and
means to put the National Guard on better
footing, and that amendments to the present
law could be presented and referred to the
judiciary Committee, who would put them
in proper form for presentation at the next
session of the Legislature. Great interest
was manifested by all present in the pro-
ceedings, and very cordial and hearty
spirit seemed TO prevail that all should
work tremendously for the general good of
the force. Among the amendments pre-
scented were the following: That all officers
on the retired list would be entitled to
membership in the Association reducing.
the amount TO be paid by honorary mem
bers from $50 to $25 per annum; that
special committee be appointed to put in
force system of effective target practice
by which all members of the State forces,
including officers, will be compelled
to become at least fair shots.
This committee consists of Col
onel Sonntag, the commanders of regi-
ments and battalions and the inspectors of
rifle practice. The committee is to meet
upon the call of the chairman some time
next February. General J. j. Tobin intro
duced an amendment to abolish the office
of Major-General and reduce the number
of Brigadiers from six to three. Captain
Neary introduced a resolution that Briga-
dier-Generals be elected by the field and
line officers instead of being appointed by
the COMMUNICATIVE Chief 1t was also re-
solved that an effort be made TO change the
Constitution so as to exempt members from
poll-tax; to increase the number of COM
panies in the State from 40 to 50, and
that when on duty companies should
be carried free on all ferries
in the State. The matter of
armories was left to the Second Brigade.
with the understanding that if the State
was to have the ownership of armories,
Sacramento's interests should be looked
after with San Francisco. An assessment
of So was levied on each company in the
staff officer, to defray the expenses. Officers
for the ensuing term were elected as fol-
lows President, Colonel j. H. Dickinson;
Vice President, Colonel T. w. Sheehan
Second President Colonel Robert
Tobin; Secretary, Lieutenant Colonel
Wilder; Assistant Secretary, CAPTAIN w. 2.
Sullivan Treasurer, Captain H. P Bush. |
An adjournment was then had until De-
cember, 1886.
The First Artillery Regimedt is spoken
of in complimentary terms by Major Royal |
I. Frank, U. S. A, who inspected it while |
in Camp Stoneman. He strongly indorses !
the system of annual encampments, and |
suggests that each brigade should encamp |
separately, as practiced in the East. We |
think this is much better than that the en-
tire division should go into training at one
time, and while each regiment and brigade |
is engaged, regular army officers should be |
in constant attendance, supervising the |
drills, guard mounts, and other matters in |
cidental TO the life of soldier in the field !
An effort should be made by our home
regiment to go into camp again the COM
ing season. There are no funds to be got
from the State for this purpose, but we
believe the camp could be held at Wood |
land, and money raised for the purpose
All transportation could be saved, as the !
regiment could march from here in a dav
easily, the regiment could be its own |
caterer, and the experience would be
valuable.
The drill of Companies A and B, We'd |
nesday evening, passed off very smoothly, |
very few errors being made; but we must !
again repeat what has been so often said, |
that the fours are in too great hurry when |
they get the order, Right Tor left front |
into line" The men positively run, and do !
not seem to understand what double time |
is. Major Mckee was in command, and |
handled the battalion well. Captain Cook, |
Company B, had men enough to form two |
companies, the second in command of Lieu |
tenant Edgar Carroll. Captain Stevens, |
Company 4, did not have more than |
enough for one company. The next drill |
will be held Thursday evening, with Com
panies E and G, when the skirmish drill |
will be illustrated, orders being sounded on |
the bugle, and in the meantime it will be |
well for company commanders to study the |
buge calls for the skirmish drill, such as |
rally by tours and companies deploy; at |
tention; forward; to the rear commence |
and cease firing, etc.
Ordnance Sergeant Franklin is to be re- |
appointed on the non commissioned staff |
He is in charge of the library, and it will |
not be his fault if he does not have a good |
one ere long.
The armory is ordered to be draped in
mourning for the next thirty days, on &C
count of the death of the Vice-President, |
and all officers will wear the usual badge |
also.
Lieutenant-Colonel ]. w. Guthrie has |
been examined, and the issuance of a Ger
titicate of reelection has been recommend |
ed by the Board of Examiners.
The library has been enriched the past |
week by military dictionary, from S. |
Pope, and some works from Mrs. j. Turner, |
$40 Nineteenth street.