The morning call., 1890-12-02
NATIONAL GUARD.
Seventh Annual Convention of
Its Officers.
Amendments Adopted for Enactment by the
Legislature - A Large and Har-
monious Meeting.

u0nal G0aTQ O1uceTS' ASSOciaLiOu OF Inc
State of California was called TO order last
evening at the regimental armory of the
First Infantry by the President, Colonel
John Ii. Dickinson, after the reading by
him of comprehensive report in which he
reviewed the history of the association and
the many advantages and benefits derived
by the citizen soldiers under lis fostering
care.
OF the six brigades in the State, three
the Second, Third ard Fifth-were repre-
scented with the djutant-General at the
meeting, and the attendance was unusually
large and harmonious.
Amendments and additions to the regula-
tons being in order, General John L. Gut
ting offered one relating to signal corps in
brigades to give them commissioned and
nOn-comm ssioned officers, such corps TO
receive the same per diem as cavalry.
Colonel Macdonald urged that the anomaly
of signal officer on a regimental staff be
done away with, because as matter of fact
the amendment, if it becomes law, will do
away with the need of such staff officer.
General Orion made the timely suggestion
that there is no per diem for cavalry.
Colonel Denicke, Signal Officer, favored
brigade signal corps under one responsible
head, and urged the needs of this branch Of
the service.
Captain Sheehan opposed the amendment,
because under it corps of from 20 to 40
members would have as many officers and
be on the same equality with a company.
lie favored State signal corps, independ-
ent of any brigade.
Lieutenant Brown suggested eumber-
some plan of detachments from brigades to
make consolidated battalion and indie
pendent organization, with given battalion
and detachment officers.
A motion to refer both plans to the Legis-
latiye and Judiciary Committee with in
structions, however, to place all signal
corps under one commanding officer was
lost by vote of SO 10 u, and the motion to
refer was adopted.
PER DIEM AND HoRsE-HIRE.
Colonel Lehe offered an amendment to Sec
ton 2222, regarding per diem and horse-h hire
OF officers and men at camp, eliminating the
limit OF expenditure per company.
Colonel Barry amended to include trans
portation and 81 instead of 81 tor horse
hire, and with the restriction retained.
Captain Burdick wanted the $500 CONF any
prOvis0 retained, whatever the number Of
men taken to amp by every company.
Colonel Lehe warmly opposed this prop
osition on valid and logical propositions.
Striking out the provlso, he favored Colonel
Barry's amendment.
Colonel Barry argued that the restriction
| must be retained. If it is not, there will be
no trouble to recruit companies to maxi
mum for weeks camp when they are paid
81 or 81 % day. The restriction is also
beacon for Legislative appropriation.
Captain Jansen wanted $3.50 per company,
and, moreover, that every man shall receive
his per diem.
Captain Bush made the point that if the
limit of $500 is conceded, the appropriation
| for encampmentS for two years will be over
$4,000.
That the limitation shall be stricken out
| was lost by an overwhelming vote, and that
| 1t be $50 instead of 500 per company was
| carried. The substitute Of Colonel Barry,
| Major Geary amended to make the per diem
| 81, but Colonel Lehe c0ula not see the force
| OF 1t when the limit is $50. Captain Jan
| sen, now understanding that the 81 would
| be to defray expenses Instead Of a per diem
| per man, withdrew his second, and the sub
| stltute was carried and referred.
| A suggestion If Captain Burdick to do
| away with the signature OF company Toll,
as required by Section 1859, and that the re-
| cIuit simply take the oath OF enlistment, was
| favorabiy acted upon.
FOUR INSTEAD OF TWO YEARS.
| Major Geary moved that the commission
| OF all line officers be four instead of two
| years. Colonel Macdonald also urged it.
Major Wilton favored the suggestion,
| but wanted that it should net take effect
| until the second term.
| Lieutenant Colonel Uenshaw wanted
| Something left to the privates and a show to
reach commission-not twelve years ahead
| OF First Sergeant before he has ghost of
a hope 10 command company. Better that
| an officer take lis chances at reelection
| after two years than that a company shall
| have to submit four years to an officer who
| is incompetent.
Captain Jansen, comparing service in the
! United States Army and the National
| Guard, declared against the latter's officers
| arrOgatlng to themselves four years COM
| mission.
Major Geary referred to field officers.
elected from civil life, Iegimental and gen.
| eral staff officers, appointed for four Years,
| yet 1t Is required of line officers TO prepare
| themselves Tor examination, AID having to
assume duties and responsibilities which do
| hot fall upon the others and serving only
| two years.
The amendment was lost and the motion
was carried by "a ayes against % noes.
Major Geary next wanted an amendment
| to provide for armories, but the Chairman
ruled it out of order because such law
| would be unconstitutional
MAJOR OConnor moved ln jocularity that
the terms Of field officers be in justice re-
| duced to two years, aud In brief advanced
| the very arguments urged on the question
| of the line officers commits sions.
Captain Bush moved and General John
L. Cutting, Colonel William Macdonald
and Captain II. z. Bush were appointed a
| ~ Hdht arrangements 1Or the
| banquet on or about the 27tn inst, to tie
retiring and incoming COmmander-ln-
| Chief
| MUSTER DATE CHANGED.
| Lieutenant Brown had next suggestion
| to make that company and line officers be
| evolved by system OF competitive examina-
tiCns. Inc motion met the fate that it de-
| served-lt was kiled-doing away as it
| would with the system of company elections
| Colonel Lehe wanted a change in the mat.
| Ter OF tlme oil the musters, earlier III the
| season or later in the fall, and moved that
be held in March instead Of July, and it
| was carried.
| The Colonel also suggested a change of
| the time OF the meeting OF the association
| any date rather than the first Monday in
December. He moved that it be on the third
| Monday in November and the suggestion
| was adopted.
| Next Captain Burdick wanted to know
| whether drum corps cannot be independent
| ORGANIZATIONS instead oil bodies made up uf
the drummerS from companies III regiments
| or battalious.
| Colonel Macdonald moved that they be at
tacheu To the band as part OF it. light bat
| terles excepted.
Captain Bush exposed one anomaly in
] THIS connection, and Colonel Dickinson re-
| marked that 1t Is true it is easier to COM
mand a ten-compapy regiment than for
| Colonel to manage twelve men IN a band.
| Other objections were offered, and the sub
| Ject was referred finally.
Lieutenant kinsnan wanted Brigadier-
Generals elected by commissioned officers OF
respective brigades, instead of appointment
| by the Governor. Carried.
Captain 1llden, in behalf of the Veterans
| Association, asked for legislation granting
exemption for seven continuous Years, in
| Guiding service in the N. q. e. and the u. S.
| A. during the war. Adopted
| The election OF off ers came next in order.
with The following result: President, Colonel
John Ii. Dickinson. Vice Presidents-G.n
eral i. w. SheehaD, E. Z. Johnson and Col
onel Eugene Lehe; Secretary, Lieutenant
Colonel j. A. Roster; Assistant Secretary.
Lieutenant-Colone j. ID. O'Connor; Treas
urer, Captain Ii. p. Bush