Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-03-23
THE NATIONAL GUARD.
APPROPRIATIONS MADE BY IHE
LAST LEGISLATURE.
Probability of a New Company at
Auburn and a Cavalry Com
pany in Sacramento.

Several changes have been made IN the
laws governing the National Guard of this
| State and they take effect Immediately
| The appropriations have been liberal, and
while the amount foots up much larger
sum than in previous years, the cost per
capita is really less, as twenty additional
companies have had to be provided for.
Great credit is due Adiutant- General Orion,
for the able manner in which he has
looked after the interests of the forces oil
the State, and there is evidence also of the
fact that the people appreciate the services
of our National Guardsmen.
Sixty companies now constitute the en-
tire force instead of forty, and the mini
mum number of men in each company has
been reduced from 81 to so, and the maxi
mum from 120 to 1O3 officers and men.
| The Assistant Adjutant-General on the
Major Generals staff will rank as Colonel,
and on the Brigadier- Generals staff they
| will rank as Lieutenant Colonel, so that
Major Hubbard must now be addressed as
Colonel Hubbard.
Target practice shall be held twice in
! each year, instead of once as heretofore.
Cadet companies are practically dis
banded, as there is proviso that all the
members of each company shall be pupils
in attendance at some public school, and
shall remain members only while attend
ing school. Sufficient members might be
gathered from the High and Grammar
Schools in this CITY, but the trouble would
be greater than any one would be willing
to undertake.
Service medals are to be awarded as fol-
lows: For ten years service, bronze
medal; for fifteen years. silver medal,
and for twenty years gold medal.
The Signal Corps is to be under the direct
supervision of the Brigade Signal Officer,
Major Sherburn. Among the amounts
appropriated for the maintenance of the
troops are the following Colonel Kewen's
pay has been increased 5000 per annum
an additional clerk in the Adjutant- Gener-
ais office has been provided for at $500.
This sum can be used in one or two years,
at the pleasure of the Adjutant- General.
The sixty companies are fully provided for,
ard ten of these are yet to be mustered in.
1t is expected that this brigade will get two
of these ten companies-one at Auburn
and cavalry company in this city, rs the
Governor and General Orion are favorably
disposed that way. Major Fred. Birdsall
has already started the Auburn company,
and has secured the requisite number of
names, and if admitted it will be an addi-
tional feather in Auburn's cap. The hus-
sar company is already in harness in this
city, and it remains only to recruit it up to
the required standard. Cavalry companies
receive $3.50 per month, but the new COM
pany would have to get along for $50 for
while, as the appropriation is not sufficient.
Fifty-two thousand dollars has been given
for encampments, and this sum will insure
their being held in succession for the ensu-
ing two years. We understand that a
movement is on foot to hold a division en-
campment this year. and its benefits are
being argued pro and con. Twenty EIGHT
thousand dollars has been set aside for the
uniforming of the new companies and
So, 600 for the old force, which will be am
pie for thepurpose. There are other minor
matters, but the foregoing are the most i'm
portant.
Captain Hall has not yet received an an
swer to his challenge for shooting contest
between his company (G) and any in the
National Guard of this State. They have
until April LIST to accept. The companies
of the First Artillery are doing very well.
New recruits are being sworn in, and with
the assurance of an encampment this sum-
mer, each ought to be in first-class footing
by July or August. We suggest to the regi-
ment if it is to go into camp on its own ac-
count, to send a committee to see General
Miles and get his permission to encamp at
the Preside, in San Francisco, where it
could get the benefit of practical instruc-
ton at the heavy guns in the fort, and the
transportation would not eat up the allow
ance We believe it would be useful for
the United States Government to have its
National Guard assist in the defense of its
harbors in case of war, particularly when
it has but very few troops of its own, as is
the case on this Coast. We have word to
the effect that the proposed new Auburn
company will be composed of the best
young men in the city, and it will be well
coined into the First Artillery Regiment,
which will, for the first time, have seven
companies.
Company E, Captain Seymour, has lost
member, private Parker having died yes
terday He will be buried with military
hOnOrS to- morrow.