The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-05-14
VARIOUS OPINIONS IN RE-
CARDS TO THE NEXT
ENCAMPMENT,
IX-GOV. JOHN IRELAND HEARD
AS Summer Comes on Interest in the
Coming Encampment of the T.
v. G. Grows and Extends.

ARKANSAS HARBoR, Tex, May 10.-There
Lis no doubt but that the encampment this
year will have the best of management
and located in the prettiest spot in Texas,
for every section seems interested in the
| Guard, and propositions are being sent to
the adjutant generals department from
| localities that never dreamed of Guard in
the State of Texas, l think that at last
we have struck the proper method to Sc
cure the best the State has in the way of
camp grounds, for it is on the prize order,
best location and the necessary induce
ments will be the place selected. There
are several letters that annex for publica
| ton, all in the interest of state encamp-
ment.
Governor John I.land writes: ~ think
the best time for state encampment is
of November. l favor company mess. The
best place to locate camp would be in the
country, or near some large village, by no
means near large city. The reasons for
this are fully covered by all rejecting
minds. l am not in favor of prizes for
competitive drills; it consumes too much
of the time, and is always productive of
hard feeling, never satisfactory. If these
encampments are not the productions of
better results, leaving the troops to under.
go the hardships of camp and duties of
soldiers. The people will soon tire of sup
porting them"
Capt. R. s. Eskridge, Twenty-third in
fantry, United States army, writes: June
/, would be good time for camp, do not
know how this would affect, attendance.
July is too hot 1 favor company mess;
this is an important part Of a soldiers
education. If a point equally convenient
for transportation can be had, favor camp
away from a city. A banner or some tro-
ply for the best regiment or company in
every resp, ct is not amiss, but to drill for
prize money fails to develop the most
desirable qualities of soldier. Mounted
officers should be encouraged to appear
mounted, there should be officers and nom
commissioned officers schools, in tactics
and regulations, at which all questions of
of discipline and internal economy coHld
be discussed. These schools should be I'M
der the Observation-Disclosures"
Lieut.. Col, E. w. Taylor, A. DO. writes
II think the camp should be held from the
consolidated mess. Camp should be held
near large city. Am in favor of prizes
such as medals; they should be of gold anC
very attractive. 1 think every encourage
ment should be extended the state troops
by the state government and the people
as it brings the people and the citizen sold
| Lieut.. VIM. L. Herff, writes: "Th'
month of May would be delightful month
for state camp. Company mess is far more
agreeable than the consolidated mess. TIL,
camp should be held at least thirty mile
from a large city, and not more than three
miles from railroad station.
Company drilling for money prizes should
be prohibited. Prizes (medals and flags.
should be awarded for marked discipline
and soldierly conduct of companies while
in camp. A competitive examination o
officers in the knowledge of tactics shoulC
be had, and prizes awarded accordingly
The volunteer guard should know what i
is to be in active service. 10 lay out camp
to rig tents to do guard duty and enforce
all military courtesy, to break camp ant
seek new camp sites, to have at least three
sham battles in open country, would be {
moral feature and would test the quality o
the man far more than the dance at SOM
military german" The individual defect
at most of our camps were very conspicu
Gus, especially to note a military office
under a silk hat or using the umbrella as
protection from the rays of the sun, or per
haps gorgeously decorated with ribbons o
every hue rendered to him by his best girl
these are small defects, but the civilian will
cherish the memory OF such scene ant
ever thereafter quote it to good soldier.
am decidedly in favor of CO operating will
the United States officers and they SHOULD
ever be part of the encampment OF the ~
Nv. G."
Capt Joe B. Agillo, Washington Guard
Galveston MAY Is to 23d.-May is thu
best month for state camp, ard the middle
of the month the most convenient for thu
men to secure leave of absence from thel
business.
would favor company mess, if we had tn
funds to purchase an outfit and be able t
hire help. We are willing to go into gen
eral mess, but no more San Antonio mes
in ours. Should say the camp be located
near large city, until such time, whel
the state will provide permenant camp. An
not in favor of money prizes for competi
ton at a state camp; would favor gol'
medals for best camp, best attention to or
ders, best sergeant, for target practice, etc,
but no prizes for drilling. Would sugges
that the state allow certain sum per fnontl
according to the locality and number
men, to assist us, for instance in our cas-
iour expenses are at least $50 per montl
with membership of fifty men, we collec
about IS to 80 per cent of the dues ever
month, sometimes not as much, for ex
cuses are in order and our process is back
ward instead of in the advance, hence beg
ing and entertainments are our programm
to raise funds. Now we are IN need @
fatigue uniforms, and the money must
forthcoming from the members who serv
the state. 1t seems as though we have on
continuous struggle to keep life in our com
pany organization and L fully appreolat
that every company in the state has tn
same to contend with. How much lohge
will this lastP"
Address military communications t
Arkansas Harbor, Tex.
FREDERICK WILLIAM FREEZE.
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