Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-11
GOSSIP OF THE GUARDS.

COLONEL NORMAN N. SMITH spent few
days in the East last week on business and
pleasure combined.
LIEUTENANT JOHN HUBBARD, Quarter.
master of the Fourteenth Regiment, leaves
this week for an extended Western trip.
COLONEL PERcHMENT. of the Fourteenth
Regiment, has been stirring up certain Of his
companies which have been neglecting drills
for some time past. Regular drills will now be
expected in all the companies of the regiment
and more attention to business from now until
the spring inspections, which are expected TO
occur earlier this year than heretofore.
THE annual report of Colonel Louis A.
Watres, the General Inspector Of Rifle Prac-
tice, is being watched for with much interest
by members Of the Guard who take to that
branch Of the service. 1t will be Colonel
Watre's last report in this capacity. and as
marEsmen marks len and % s6arpshootsrs in the State has
increased many times. he will probably oner
some important suggestions Tor the future,
which in his new position he may be able 70
help through.
AS no word has yet been received from Har-
rIsburg relative to the National Guard attend
ing in a body the inaugural ceremonies Of
Gorernor-elect Pattison on the Goth, 1t is pre-
sumed that only the Eighth Regiment will be
present with possibly the Governors Troop.
Several weeks ago it was understood that Cen
eral Hastings had received the consent OF Mr..
Pattison to have the Guard attend, Duf SO
much opposition sprung up from number OF
the organizations interested that it has prob
ably been decided to let the matter drop.
LIEUTENANT ]. K. KERR. Inspector Of Rife
Practice of the Fifth Regiment, spent few
days in the city last week. Ar. Kerr at present
resides at Indiana, Pa, but will shortly tender
his resignation to Colonel Burchfeld, as he in
tends removing to W Washington State where
boa To-
Regiment will lose q valuable oficer by Mr..
Kerr's resignation. as he is not only one Of the
finest shots in the State, but through his efforts
he has placed his organization az the top Oh the
list this year in the total Of qualified marks-
men.
THE result of the courtmartial appointed in
the Eighteenth Regiment to investigate the
charges against two members of the Verona
squad of Company H, was that Private E. G.
Best was fined $40, and Private Edward Bart
ley was fined 81. Twenty days are allowed the
men to appeal and il in that time the fines are
not paid they will 60 to tai for r 20 days This rs
Western Pennsylvania for number of years
and will no doubt have a most beneficial effect
on certain other members OF the city organlzs-
ton who habitually disregard orders.
The new Ullman electric target after having
been successfully tested in various portions of
the country is now being adopted by q number
of the military organizations of the better class
1t works equally well for armory or range
practice, and does away with a great deal OF
tedious labor and waste Of time, as 1t pract1-
cally Is automatic and registers the location
and value of shots with great accuracy. One OF
the advantages ID that it can be adapted for
winter practice or practice in rainy weather
when other targets would be practically useless,
or when markers would refuse TO serve.
THE big social event to come in military cir.
cles in the eastern portion of the State will be
the State Feneibles' annual ball at the Acade-
my of Music, Philadelphia, on February 2.
Elaborate preparations are being made. as 1t is
one of the greatest events of the Quaker City
social life. A number Of PIttsburg officers
have received invitations to the affair, and 1t is
quite likely the Second Brigade will be repre-
sented The famous Second Battery, of New
York, will attend in a body, under command Of
Captain Wilson, and give an exhibition orllL
This organization won for itself the reputation
of being the best drilled battery In the United
States.
GENERAL SNowpEN and Generals Goblin
and Deckert were officially confirmed in their
appointments last week by the State Legisla-
ture. General Snowden in his report to Gov
ernor Beaver for last year makes number Of
interesting suggestions. He thinks that in
spections during camp should be done away
with and that the armory Is the proper place
for such work; that the camps should last two
weeks or ten days at least, and that officers be
prohibited from entering the rine contests with
enlisted men. In the latter suggestion his ideas
will scarcely be given much consideration, as
in the regular service, after which our Guard Is
closely patterned, such contests are open to
both officers and men. General lSnowden's nrst
report as Division Commander Is very thorough
and his recommendations, as q rule, are for
ch-needed reforms.
AT the annual meeting of the officers Of the
Eighteenth Regiment, held a week ago, COM
mittee of i've was appointed to represent the
organization in the matter Of looking after
proper legislation that may affect the Guard in
this end and all parts of the State. Similar
committees for the Fourteenth Regiment and
Battery b will be invited to act in conjunction.
AS it Is expected during the coming meeting
of the State Legislature important legislation
may be brought up affecting the interests Of
the military organizations, the result OF such
standing committees can be readily seen. The
National Guard of the United States are be-
coming more prominent every day, and 1t Is
probable number of necessary matters will
be required. 1t is thought that one Of the first
important steps that the new administration
will take will be a revision Of the present code
under which the Guard exists, as 1t Is generally
a varv roorlv Wrttteu 2nair.