San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-07-18
FOR THE FUTURE,

which closed its work and struck III
tents last Saturday has been very
fruitful In results. Not only has tn,
value of such a camp been demon
strated and its superiority over q
prize drill camp been exemplified
but the practical needs of the state
in making such camp of instruction
all it may become, have been brought
to the surface and the direction indi.
Gated in which change may be profita.
bly, introduced. Among the results al
ready secured are the disillIsion OF
the military companies; the conviction
that at least two weeks drill are nee
essary to effect any lasting result;
and, decided leaning towards some
location removed from city attrac-
tions and where a good target range
could be maintained. A careful
perusal of the very full reports of the
encampment made by the Commerce
street papers of this city, and by the
Houston and Galveston morning
papers, including the interviews with
officers of all grades, leads to the con-
clusion above expressed as to the re-
suits of this present encampment. 1t
may be too much to hope for anything
tangible or practicable from the
present legislature, but none the
less should the matter receive
attention and be discussed, as
only thus can any education of the
popular mind be effected. The state
of Texas is in need of a camp of her
own. 1t should be Oh elevated ground:
well watered; accessible by rail; not
too far from the regular military
head quarters of the state; not with,
in the vicinity OF any large city, so
rs to distract the attention of the
camp and interfere with it's routine;
sufficiently retired to afford ample
room for rifle range so that the mill
tia could perfect themselves in ac-
curate firing. The state should own
this camp, and it should cover quite
a tract of territory. A permanent
camp should be here established
aud such buildings erected
for commissary and storage
rs are needed, and small detail of
two or three men kept constantly in
charge. The army method of dis
pensing rations by companies, each
having its own cook, would
be much more satisfactory and more
in accordance with military usage
than the attempt to set out table for
two thousand men. The state should
all the expenses of the en-
and make provision for the
same by adequate appropriation.
The consensus of opinion, after the
camp broke here last Saturday, was
that the boys had learned more than
they had ever dreamed of in so short
q time. Skirmish drill, guard mount
ing and target practice is what
the troops are deficient in. The
only way to do this is
to drill them in these things in a
state camp Of instruction where per-
lection in movement and routine and
rifle aim, handling of pieces in actual
target practice would take the place
of banquet and bellies, and dance, and
8 good time about town. The fact Is
undisputed that the officers and men
alike have become inspired with a
desire to make the state militia a
pattern body of volunteer soldiery.
To the old idea of competitive drills
for prizes has succeeded the ambition
to learn the soldiers art and master
all its details. The state cannot do
better than foster this feeling, and
make arrangements to carry out the
desires of its military leaders. On the
high lands, near Boerne, with pure
water, and good drill and range
ground, a place for state camp can,
be found that would fill the bill in
all particulars. 1t would be a most
healthy location, ample in extent,
we'll watered, near enough to the city
to draw supplies from, and so remote
as to preclude all interference with
camp duty. Such tract could be Sc
cured without cost to the state if the
state would make there permanent