Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-04-24
MILITARY NOTES.
Company BIS Artillery Practice-Com-
pany Drilis-Beneficiary Society.

Company BIS Artillery Practice-Com.
pany Drilis-Beneficiary Society.
The excursion of Company b, Captain
John Cook, for practice with the twelve.
FOUNDER and Calling gun, takes place to.
morrow. The special train conveying the
company, invited guests, cannon, ETC., will
leave the depot about s A. NJ, and the prac.
tice will be held near Folsom at the Sports.
mans Clubs shooting grounds.
Charles B. Strong, Lieutenant-elect OF
Company B, has passed the Board of Elk,
aminers. His duties will be with the bat.
terry chiefly.
Company f. Woodland, elects a Captain
this evening. Lieutenant-Colonel Guthrie
goes over to act as Inspector.
Fred Lindner, late of the band, is about
10 organize drum corps, and will instruct
il in its duties fully.
The corridor leading to the armories OF
Companies A and E is to be widened. II
will be much-needed Improvement.
In the company drills during the past
week the most gratifying improvement
was observed in all but the matter of at
tendance of the men. The very best at
tention was paid in every company while
on drill, the result being that movements
were executed in much better style than
the week previous. The drills were really
excellent. If we except G's platoon move
ments, which were far from being of the
best. The method of instruction was
greatly improved upon also, particularly
by Captains Cook and Weinstock. If the
company commanders will follow up the
style of drills had the past week, explain
everything fully, and see that, before a
IL. l.
IN as near perfect a manner as possibls, the
men viii very soon get the idea that they
must act and think also while in theranks
and pay the strictest attention, if perfection
is to be attained. The obliques by COM
pany E, when first attempted Thursday
evening, were wretchedly executed, but by
the instruction given by Captain Vein
stock, and little practice, it was trans
formed into very handsome movement at
the close, demonstrating what perseverance
will do. The companies should start in to
drill at clock sharp. 1t was nearly half
past before A, B and G got on the floor
last week. Eight o'clock is not too late to
commence, and every company should,
even if they only have a half, dozen men,
have the roll called. and, in addition to
fine for non-attendance, a small fine for
being tardy would be in order, and finish
the drill invariably at 8 o'clock, except on
some special occasion, such as a battalion
drill or other special instruction.
Some action should be taken looking 10
secure better attendance of the men at
weekly drills. There may be too much
work and no play. The hours may be too
long at drill, or the men may feel that they
are not benefited according to the work
done by them. This apathy is not con-
fined to the troops here at all 1t is gen
eral at odd periods. 1t might help matters
if the commander would issue orders to
his non-commissioned officers to report TO
him the reason of the absence of certain
members who are not regularly at drills.
The company might be divided into SQUADS
of three or four men each, under charge of
a Sergeant or Corporal, and the duty as
signed to such Sergeant Or Corporal to in
duce the men OF their respective squads, by
every means in their power, 10 be present
at drills, and, if not present, to re-
port the reason every week. In addition
to this 1t may be good move in these DAYS
OF social and beneficiary societies, to organ
lie IN the regiment an association for
mutual aid and protection To pay a GER
tain sum per week to sick members to visit
them in sickness and distress. and make
them feel that their comrades take an in
terest in them. The Second Artillery
Regiment has started some such a society.
If members paid dues regularly, which
would have to be done to makeit q success.
and to pay no benefits until quite re-
spectacle sum was on hand to commence
operations with, it would lead 10 large
attendance at drills, as this should be one
OF the provisions of the society-the regu-
lar attendance at drills. Such an associa-
ton, il seems to US, would have within it
ali the elements of success-personal bene-
tit, in addition to the splendid exercise the
drill affords the men. The armories should
be places of regular resort for the men, not
only on drill night, but every night during
the week. A and y boys make it more of
4 home than the men of the other COM
panles. There IS talent enough and bust
ness ability among the officers and men to
put the crude suggestions offered above into
shape What say you, officers of COM
panies You have material enough to
start with some 400 men, and exempt men,
bers might be eligible TO membership If de-
sired.