The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-03-22

TACOMA, March 2l.-While In Tacoma Thurs-
day Colonel Haines expressed his views to
correspondent of the PosT-INTELLIGENcER rela-
tive to an encampment this year, as follows:
"Ordinarily we should have an encampment
every summer, as officers can, during period OF
an encampment. get more drill ont OF men than
ii s possible to get out Of them for half the year
at home. Besides the mingling of companies at
the encampment furnishes means for sttmu-
lating new interest and life in the 0rganiza-
tions. Still, however desirable an encampmcnt
may be this veal, am inclined to the belief that
1t would be better to pay all our bills and
leave our treasury in good shape, than to hold
an encampment and plunge ourselves in debt to
to the extent OF $4,000 or $4,000. As rule, 1.
think we can count on the expense OF our en-
campment being from $1,000 to $4,000. Last
years eneampment, owing to the fact that it
was ordered in such hurry, cost about $4,000.
It was held on week notice, thus shutting off
all chance OF making contracts for supplies, and
Is aresult the highest prices had to be paid for
everything Ii the encampment is abandoned
this year, we shall be in shape financially to go
into camp every summer hereafter.
With regard to Orting a. permanent camping
ground, Colonel Haines said: AS understand
1t, the grounds at Orting are not desirable, the
sixty acres available being heavily timbered,
and, the soil being heavy. there would naturally
be either mud or dust, according to the condi.
ton of the elements, after the timber il re-
moved. Then we need more room Sixty acres
would not be large enough for two troops of
cavalry to skirmish and move In, to say nothing
of the infantry. The Steilacoom plain, where
last seasons camp was pitched, il in my opinion
the most desirable camping ground in the
state"
The Zouaves will give an exhibition drill in
front of Gross Bros. store A rare treat is prom
lsed. as "Abe" Gross il considered great friend
of the s.boyR"
Sergeant Howe, of the Zouaves, has resigned
his commission, on account of business which
frequently takes him Oug of the city and pre-
vents his attendance at drills Non-payment OF
dues and absence from drill four evenings in
succession viii make member liable to expul-
sion.
have their photos taken as soon az possible.
Several very interesting subjects are on the
tapis, and members can get their uniform by APP
plying to the quartermaster and Captain Hills.
The competitive drill between Company F, Of
Stockton, Gala, and Company G, OF Portland.
Or, which takes place May !, 1881, at Portland,
will attract a large number OF military men from
all over the Pacific Northwest Should an in
ciyidual competitive drill be held in connection
large number would be present from Tacoma
Company G, First regiment, Washington Ma
tional Guards, are exercising considerable care
in the selection OF recruits, and base.their work
on the idea that ultimately they will have the
finest company on the Coast In time.
Richard Eskridge, who has recently joined
Company G, is a son of Captain Eskridge, Com
pany H, Twenth-third United States infantry,
and grandson OF General stevens, the first gov
ernor of Washington, who fell at the first battle
of BUN Run. Mr.. Eskridge takes much interest
in all matters pertaining TO his company.
The different company officers are anxiously
waiting for a battalion drill. school of in
sfruetion for officers should be held so that all
difficult movements OF the battalion could be
taught.
Sergeant Eastman, OF the Zouaves, has been
quite sick, but is able to be around again. Be-
ing one of the regular attendants and enthusi-
astic in Zouave matters, his absence has been
felt.
Corporal Hayward Is around again and hiss
started in where he left off on the lightning
| drill. Hayward 10 one OF the veterans in the
Zouayes.
"To my mind" said an officer of COMPANY @
today, "the most important subject that mill.
tary writer or critic could dwell upon, is the at
tendance at drills. 1t is confined to no particu-
| lar locality, but Is general. And in my opinion
| does more injury to the service han any other
| evil. The present condition lis this: Each com.
| pany probably carry from forty to fifty men on
| the rolls. OF this humber the captain, lieu,en-
| ants, two or three sergeants and about seven or
| eight privafes show up. The time to commence
| drilling is O'Clock. They are seldom on time.
| however. After short drill meeting win be
he'd. some enthusiast viii possibly get up and
suggest scheme whereby the attend
ance can be increased othere
| viii talk in the same strain
and ii will be the sense of The meeting that some
method is necessary TO increase the strength of
| the company. But this 10 the end OF it. By the
| next meeting, probably three or four weeks
later. their resolutions viii be entirely forgot
| ten, ana so the company goes from week 70
| week, month 10 month.
| "If the companies had the same men To dr,u
every night there would be some progress. bur
| OF the twelve or fourteen members who were
/ present at the last drill, only about seven IF
them, and sometimes less. win be In attendance
a. the next, their places being taken by othsrs
who were not present at the previous drill,
1 When the next drill night rolls around thea
viii still be Others who were not present at tho
two previous drills, thu result being that shers
| Is practically no progress and the CON nany i.
/ virtually At q stanGstil"
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