The record-union., 1891-02-06
MILITARY NOTES.
What the Proposed Amendments to
the Codes viii be.
New Headquarters for the Local OFF,
cers-SignaI Corps and Tar
get Practice.

Of late years, each session Of the Legis-
lature is closely watched by the higher
officers of the National Guard, in order
that the interests of this important de-
partment of every well regulated State
should not suffer. There are no very ma
terial changes contemplated at this ses-
sion, and the amount asked for the sup
port of the force viii be some S25,COO less
than two years ago. In order to accom-
plish this result, the officers have had to
apply the pruning knife right and left in
order that the annual encampments
should not be crippled and that the
wishes of the COMMUNICATIVE Chief, who
desires retrenchment, should be COM
piled with. Acknowledgement Allen has
put in many an anxious hour to keep the
appropriation within bounds, and it is
largely due to his efforts that the outlook
for the securing of the amount asked for
seems promising.
The regular appropriations remain the
same as before; uniform allowances have
been cut out, and in lieu thereof the COM
panies ask that transportation to camp be
furnished.
THE NEXT ENCAMPMENT.
The present Intention is to have grand
Division encampment at some point on
the coast, probably Monterey or Santa
Cruz, the coming summer, where the en-
tire State forces can come together and
learn to move as one body. Some useful
work may be got out of the organization
when General Dimond is at the head
since he is man who will not keep the
various regiments and battalions in use
less parading when there is more solid
work to be done.
The changes in the present law will be
about as follows: The annual muster will
be in March instead of July; signal corps
of ten men and more will elect their own
commander-a First Lieutenant. If the
corps consists of forty men or more, it
will have a Captain, First and Second
Lieutenant. Commanders of regiments
and battalions will receive 81 80 per COM
pany per month instead of 50. There viii
be no signal officers on the regimental
staff. Line officers will be elected for
four years instead of two. The most i'm
portant change of all is that transportation
of officers and men to and from camp is
asked for in addition to the 81 25 per man
per Cay for subsistence. The officers and
men give their time free and it costs each
quite a sum personally in addition to
what the State gives. The least that
ought to be expected when the Com
mander-in-C Chief orders the men into
States expense and given rough soldiers
fare while on duty. This is all that is
asked.
Quite contest is going on for the COM
mand of the Second Brigade in San Fran
cisco. The present incumbent, General
Cutting, has been elected TO Congress,
and Colonies Dickinson, of the First In
fantry, and Mcdonald, OF the Second
Artillery, are putting forth herculean eff
forts to secure the position. A good time
tor Q dark horse"
NEW MEETING-PLACE FOR THE OFFICERS
There is not much activity in local mill
tary circles at present, outside Of prepar-
ing for the spring and summer work. A
movement was inauguTated at the officers
meeting Monday evening last with the
view OF having a more ccmmoaious room
for a headquarters. This is very much
needed, and, il carried out, will secure a
better attendance of officers, both lire
and staff, at meetings, and in fact VIII
Mad to its being eventually cosy club
rGSIn, where officers can drop in any
evening. and where matters pertaining
to tiIsir duties under all circumstances
can be discussed and much valuable in
formation gained by an interchange of
opinions. The various company quar-
tiers and main drill-room are convenient,
comfortable and suited for the purposes
used, but the headquarters are a disgrace
W lIle lie lCicst HOW Is 10
FIT UP THE CADET ARuoRY
On the third floor, put in nice carpet,
get handsome lockers for the use of field,
staff and line officers, including the brig
ade, and furnish the place gradually with
comfortable chairs, tables, ETC., where
visiting officers can be received and enter
tanned properly. 1t is also contemplated
to fix up the Hobbies TO the companies
armories so that they will present a
handsome appearance on first view,
something that they lack at present. The
proposed headquarters is larger than
there is any necessity for, and a partition
might be run across one end leaving
small store-room, which would be useful
in giving entertainments and in which
cooking range might be placed. This
would reduce the cost of furnishing the
main room. The officers wives, who
have always manifested the greatest in
terest in such matters, would no doubt
assist in making the quarters a credit to
the building.
The only obstacle in the way is lack
of funds, but if the companies which are
in arrears for rent would pay the amounts
due, this very much needed improvement
could be begun Immediately. When the
room and Hobbies are put in order by the
Hall Association the officers could fur
nish the place, and the increased rent
paid by the brigade, regiment and Board
OF OElcefS would BRING IN an additional
revenue to the Trustees. The roof needs
looking after also, and coat of paint
would not be amiss to the outside of the
building.
SIGNAL CORPS AND SHOOTING RANGES.
The Brigade Signal Corps is becoming
quite enthusiastic in its work. The corps
was out on field duty, mounted, week
or more ago, and it is reported that some
hard work was performed during the
day. The signal officers-Major Sher-
burn and Lieutenant Robie-were laid up
for repairs after the trip, although the
former took extra precautions before he
yentured out. AdJutaEt General Allen
was overheard giving him some pointers
for future occasion, such as visiting a
tannery, etc.
1t is expected that the shooting ranges
Will be put in tirst-class condition i'm
mediately, when new impetus will be
given to target practice. 1t is expected
that separate target will be set up for
field and staff officers so as not to in
convenience or delay the men at the
company ranges. Company c, Nevada
City, Captain George A. Nihell, will give
an exhibition drill and hop at its armory
February Goth. These affairs are always
very pleasant and we understand q num-
Der of the field and staff officers will at
tend from this city.
p a Q1