Los Angeles herald., 1891-09-21
THE STATE GUARD.
Cutters Report Seems to Have
Raised a Row.
A Story Illustrating His IgnO-
rance Of Tactics.
Col. Schreiber Called Him Down on
Faulty Command.
Captain O'Connelrs Report to the War
Department-He Recommends That
All OfHcers Be Appointed In
stead of Elected.


Seventh regiment armory yesterday was
the remarkable report made to the in
spector-general by Lieutenant Colonel
Butler, which was given in full in the
HERALD.
This report was contrasted with that
made by Capt. O'Connell, and to say
that the criticisms made were unfavor-
able, is drawing it mildly. Capt O'Con-
nell's report is generally regarded as
being very fair and just one, and the
boys do not object to being corrected for
their mistakes, but they do object to
what they consider an unjust and un-
called for attack.
1t is alleged that the division inspector
scored the Seventh because he was called
down at the inspection by Col. Schneider
for attempting to enforce command
not authorized by the tactics.
The incident occurred while the en-
tire regiment was drawn up in line.
Col. Cutler had finished his inspection
of the field and staff officers and pro-
ceeded to the company commanders.
The regiment stood at "order arms"
Col. Cutler commanded "carry swords"
and the officers executed the order. He
then called out inspection, swords :"
The officers remained at a carry, and
Col. Schreiber interposed an objection
to such an order. The inspector re-
peated the command and with his own
sword illustrated what he meant.
AS every one who has been in the
service knows, there is no inspection of
officers swords, the non-commissioned
officers and privates armed with sword
being the only persons to execute Gin
spection swords"
Colonel Cutler evidently did not know
this, as he repeated the command three
times, and desisted only after Colonel
Schreiber positively refused to allow his
officers to execute the movement. 1t is
said that the inspector gave several
other commands not contained in Upton,
and on the whole did not demonstrate
any alarming knowledge OF military
affairs.
Great indignation is manifested at the
recommendation that Company d be
,disbanded if the attendance does not
materially improve. Here, again, the
inspector is said to have gone beyond
his province. He speaks of "drills,"
and the supposition among the guards
men is that he means armory drills. In
the published reports Company d is
credited with as good an average attend
ance as any company in the state, and
at the camp it was up to the average of
several other companies. In the face of
these facts the boys cannot understand
why this company was singled out as
the scapegoat. Another point which
has brought forth criticism is that the
six companies of the Ninth regiment
are given the same percentage of merit.
As was said in yesterdays HERALD, the
officers will not give out their opinions,
but they are doing some tall thinking.
In concluding his report to the war
department Captain O'Connell speaks
of the state troops as follows:
81 do not believe there is another
state organization superior to that of
California in the essential features OF a
military body. The National guard of
the state will compare favorably with
the oldest and best organized guards in
the eastern and middle states. Califor-
MIA can put in the field in thirty days
10000 fairly armed, equipped and drilled
men, who, after a couple of months SER
vice, would be as steady and efficient as
regulars, and could be depended upon to
render a good account of themselves.
In forty-eight hours notice 1000 men
can be concentrated at any threatened
point within the commonwealth, and in
the security which this fact imparts to
personal property and public institu-
tions lies the reward of the taxpayer
who maintains this absolutely essential
force. | trust the merchants and busi-
Of mill rio oh
mere mercenary interests and permit, as
a duty, the attendance of their en-
ployes at the annual encampments,
which in an emergency might prove
their own salvation in the. protection of
the special business in which they are
engaged, besides bringing to the serN ice
an intelligent and effective class of
young men always to be relied upon for
the protection of life and property.
81 heartily recommend that an officer
OF the inspector-generals department of
the army be detailed to inspect at such
time as he may see fit the records, arms,
clothing and equipment of the national
guard, and submit a report of the condi-
tion and strength of the guard yearly to
the acknowledgement of the army. The
war department should have its repre-
sentative in every camp of instruction
held yearly in the several states of the
union.
'"The term of enlistment in both reg
ular and national guard service should
be reduced to three years. recommend
that the militia of this state be organ
lied into one division of three brigades,
namely, the first brigade in San Fran
cisco and vicinity, the second brigade in
Stockton, Sacramento and adjacent ter
ritory, and the third brigade at Los An
geles, San Diego and surrounding coun-
try. There are at present too many
brigadier-generals and merely orna-
mental staff officers. Only officers who
do the work should have the rank.
''All the regiments should be fully
equipped with leggings, campaign hats
and woven belts for field service of the
patterns now in use in the regular army.
The length of the encampments should
be two weeks, or at least ten days, for
under the present system, no sooner
have the men settled down to earnest
work than they are called upon to get
ready to go home. The range for target
practice ought to be extended to 600
yards so as to embrace the 200, 500 and
800 yard ranges, and the promiscuous
practicing at the butts of officers and
men should be discouraged. / invite the
attention of the colonels to the great inn
portance of setting up drill, and rec
ommend a stricter compliance with tao
fica in this oonnoction