The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-10-31
THB NATIONAL GUARD.
Proposition to Reduce the
Number Of Brigades.
g
THE GOVERNORS STAFF.
Military f)ffcers AZ the colnmhian Ball-Cnm.
Military Officers at the Columbian Balloon.
ing Electiors-Need of an Artillery Re.
serve at Seaport Towns.

Until the political campaign is over but
little of interest need be expected in local
military circles. The drills are poorly at
tended, and most Of the colonies and cap
tans are absorbed one way or another in the
great free-for-all race tor Office which is tC
be decided week from tomorrow.
The preliminary meeting of the National
Guard Officers Association on Friday after
noon last at Second Brigade headquarters
was disap poin tment owing TO the existing
apathy. A large attendance was expected,
but only few came. AT the adjourned
meeting in the evening not enough came to-
gether 10 make quorum. Much important
business was awaiting attention, but it will
now have to be deferred until the regular
meeting of the association in December.
At the afternoon meeting on Friday an
agreement was reached on at least one i'm
portant point. This was that the number
of brigades should be reduced from six TO
three. A circular explai ming the process OF
reduction and consolidation is to be pre-
pared and sent out for the criticism of all
parties interested.
The Geographic dispatches from Chicago
have failed to eBlighten Caiifornians az to
the movements of Governor Markham's
Exposition dedcatory exercises about two
weeks ago. They have heard something of
the party being detained day on the Dem
yer and Rio GTande road, then that the
Governor was visiting bis old neighbors at
Milwaukee, and, finally, that Mr.. Markham
and four members OF his staff were at Den
yer on their way home.
The Chicago papers give both glowing
and amusing accounts of the grand ball
given in That city in honor of the dedica-
ton. There IS consensus OF opinion that
the ball will go down into history as a
'howling success" The prevalence Of uni
forms was particularly marked. Every man
who belonged or ever had belonged TO any
sort of military organization. so 1t ap-
peaTed, had donned the uniform OF what
ever he had belonged TO, with as much addi-
tional magnihcence in the way Of aigrette.
epaulet and buttons as his fancy could con-
ceive or his tailor be induced 10 supply.
There were far more uniforms than black
coats, and some OF the figures in the uni
forms were spectacles for gods and men.
The Chicago Times is inclined to indulge
In undisguised levity at the temperance of
the militia officers present and laughs
through whole column at them In this
wise:
OF course lots OF the uniforms belonged TO Wis
itlng militia officers and lots more OF Them 10
regular army ana navy men and 10 members and
attaches of the Diplomatic corps from Washing
ton, which WAS out IN force.
But these militia onicursi They furnished
more laughs 10 the minuie-men than did the
managers OF the ball. Of whom more anon.
There were moro than dozen Stale and Ter
TltOrial governors present, and each OF 'em had
a staff. of course-a staff composed OF political
helpniateS Who had received In reward Tor their
services ltihOgraphed commissions with big seals
and honorary military titles! The governors
were all plainly dressed, even The ones from tie
far West. But their slaffsl Us ''Stayes" more
proper for the pluraE) The members of these
ornamental bodies seemed TO have We'd
with each other In a Wild contest TO see
VINO could achieve the most iurld make
up. The results were fearful II not Won
deTful. Oop-sbOuldered men who at home are
lawyers and merchants aud other peaceful
things were at The ball, bedecked with pleni-
tude OF rank insignia which put 10 shame the
tTig geCupS OF the regular army officers and Ia
many cases The Respondent governors OF the
professional diplomats aud military attaches OF
foreign m0narchles.
And The pOmpOSiiy OF them!
Men who wore their epaulets awry and fell
over the ornamental sabers al IneiT sides swelled
around like turkey cocks and posed ike society
drama leading men.
But withai The poor things were so awfully
uncomfortable that il would have been pitiful
had il been less humorous. delegation In gold
lace. attendant Hpon Western Governor
checked their ehApeauX aud sabers upon enter
ing tie Auditorium. and when they went upon
the floor aud saw the regular army officers aud
diplomats with both saber aud ehapeau they
fairly fell over each other IN their mad rush foT
The cbeckrOOm.
The very air smeIled OF new blue cloth, and hall
the swoTd-beis IN the room were drawn under
the aibuttons of the double-breasted uniform
And the way these militia magnates. these
colonies, generals and majors, by grace OF
God and the governors, tried 10 apnear USED TO
il all and surTep, fiOusly sized up the regular
and foreign officers for points III The adjustment
Of heir strange babilments and trappings and
the management OF programmes, chapeauX and
sabers at tie same time.
very heavy swell In the scarlet Of "the
Widows" renowned ColdstTeam Guards looked
"a Ia haA Hnn He'd and al in IN IA q
flaming coat skin-tigbt cavalry breecbes and
elistening boots. His long cavalry saber, 1sng-
ling spurs, pinned hemiet, dangling sabertouehe,
programme aud lady's bouquet were managed,
as WAS also waltz, with that grace born Of lie
times experience. and all The while lie held 10
one eye, without apparent effort. monoee IN.
attached 10 any cord. That man went about all
night with q uebulOus tran OF militia officers ana
dudes, living, moving and apparently uDcOn-
scious Kindergarten.
An election Will be held at San Rafael
next Friday evening. November 4. for the
election OF captain OF Company ID, Filth
Infantry, vice Elliott, term expired. Cap
tain Carlton G. Coleman, aid-de-eamp Sec
ond Brigade. is to preside.
On the Thursday evening following No.
yember 10. an election will be held at Oak
land for captain of Company a OF the same
regiment, vice Smith, term expired. Major
John f. Millar, Brigade Quartermaster, is
to preside.
Regimental orders from headquarters of
the Fifth InfaDtry,s dated October II, an
nounces the discharge from the service of
Musician j. l.. Callashan. Corporal X. IL.
Brown and PrivAtes J. II. Blackford, Ed
ward Carey, j. b. Gossage, James Holm,
Harry Wallace, of Company G.; J. Ii. Not
ter of Company A i. c. Bankey, g. w.
Craddick, T.. Ii. Hanscom, w. M. Kress
and j. II. Pape of Company Z.
The proceedings OF a regimenIal court
martial are also approved in the same order
in Nhich Homer Richard Farris and Edward
Reed Farris Of Company A are dishonor-
ably discharged and Private William T.
Young and l.. T. Smith of the same CON-
pany are reprimanded and fined.
Captain Cook of Company B, First In
fautry, has filed application for leave of
absence for thirty days.
General A. w. Greedy, chief signal officer
of the United States army, in Eis annual
report to the War Department, speaks en-
couragiDgly of the growing interest In the
signal-seivice work manifested by the mill
tia, and suggests that the militia act be
amended so as TO permit signal stores to be
issued to State guards upon requisiti0n.
Major General Schofeld invites attention
In his annual report to the importance of
organ ling In the sea-c0ast States an artillery
reserve, TO be instructed annually in eonnec-
ton with the regular sea-cOast gaTrisOns.
Measures in this direction, he says, have al
ready been adopted in some of the States,
and these should be extended throughout
all the States bordering On the oceans and
gulf.