The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-18
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR GUARDsMEN
Suggestions for the Impr ovement of the
Service.


SEATTLE, May 10, 1891
To THE EDITOR: As O member OF Seattle
Rifles. N. G. W., for the past two years, have
been waiting patiently for those In authority to
give the boys In blue q suitable rife range. /
have noticed that the interest in National Guard
matters, as shown by the members is not at all
what IL should be, and from careful inquiry
among non-members, / find there is nothing
very attractive TO induce them to join us. III
the service was attractive in its legitimate
form, ii would not be necessary to give ice
cream socials, dances, etc. in order to attract
young men for our companies. Why should not
there be a little more than the monotonous
drill to interest the members3 OF course drill
is necessary, but still one wants q change occa-
sionaliy. and our new members after they have
have gone through course OF instruction,
seem to grow tired and long for the expiration
of their term of service. The state encampment
is q welcome change, but that only comes once
year, and then It Is almost entirely the same
monotonous drill, interesting perhaps to the
officers on horseback, but weary TO the ranks
There are three branches which the National
Guard Of Washington have not yet had chance
to take interest in, viz Rife practice, signaling
and ambulance work. All three are interesting
to the soldier, because II brings out his individ
ual quality instead of being part OF a machine
worked by the commanding officer. Very few
of the members are familiar with the shooting
qualities OF their guns, and yet what necessity
that would be should they be called to use them
My idea of what should be done to encourage
the rife practice IL as follows:
First-Build and equip state rife range at
the permanent place fixed for the annual en-
campment.
second-Eaeh company or companies in each
town or city build and equip their own range
for practice, etc.
Thtrd-Facb cornnanv have n coro netf tion onca
or more in each year for prizes.
Fourth-At each state encampment, or at any
rate once year, have a tournament for all the
members OF N. G. W., the chief competition be-
ing for the states marksmans prize, which
should consist of a medal or badge, a sum of
money and handsome shield or trophy, the
latter to be held by the company whose member
is the winner. The shield or trophy will be
returned for competition every year, and the
name of the winner each year engraved upon ii;
five men from each company to compete for the
prize. The state could afford to donate the
chief prize, for IL would be in the interest of the
state TO develop good shooting.
The above is a general outline Of what the leg
islature and National Guard authorities can do
to stimulate an extremely useful and interesting
branch OF military science
Our Seattle companies have the shores of the
vast bodies OF waters on which to erect a fine
range, and no doubt every day our boys would
be Pegging away with the ambition OF being the
states mnrksman. Our business men and 9TH
ers would no doubt do their share in giving
prizes for competition.
As to the other branches, they are both nee
essary for well ornanized and equipped regi-
ment, and would be very useful in either peace
or trouble. Why should the state of Washing
ton be behind the other states in military AFFAIRS
Let there be cooperation by legislature. officers
and men, and we shall have National Guard
which would be credit 70 our Evergreen state,
for our young men are energetic, strong and
healthy.
Before closing, permit me to say that we OF
the ranks will not purchase our medals or
badges with money, but will endeavor by hard
work and perseverance to win and have them
given TO US. w. G. D.