The morning call., 1893-06-25
THREE PROPOSITIONS.

Major-General W. II. Dimond, who
commands the entire organized column of
the National Guard of California, which
is called division. and whose intelligent
zeal in promoting its welfare has won the
confidence of citizens and soldiers alike,
when approached for suggestions on this
interesting topic. said:
There are three propositions which
suggest themselves TO me at this moment
by adopting which. in my judgment. the
efficiency OF the National Guard of Cali
fornta would be greatly enhanced. More
attention in the first place should be de-
voted by the captains to the setting-up
drill. Next, the standard for the eXami-
nation of commissioned officers for pro-
motion should be raised. In the third
place, our armOries are entirely Inadequate
for the use to which they are put. Build
ings adapted exclusively TO military pur-
poses should be erected. There are other
reforms of minor character which could
be introduced with great advantage, but
the three have spoken of are absolutely
necessary If the spirit of real progress is
to be maintained.
1.-THE setting-up drill is to give the re-
cruit an erect and graceful carriage. 1t is
most invaluable gymnastic exercise i'm
parts fleXibility to the muscles from the
heels to the neck, and without it you can
not give man what you call a SOldiery
appearance. After one has undergone a
good course in the setting-up drill all aWk-
wardness and slouchiness disappears and
the soldier feels that everything else come s
easy. The man WHO has been well set up
does not experience that sense of restraint
which makes work in the ranks so irksome
and dlsconraglng to many. The New York
Seventh Regiment. the finest volunteer in
fantry corps in the United States. pays
particular attention to this feature of in
StructlOn. believe one OF its ex-mem be RS
is now helping on Colonel Mac6onald's
regiment by his aid in teaching this ele-
mentary branch of military instruction
with the most surprising and gratifying
results.
The standard of examinati for pro-
motion is entirely too low. OF course, we
have to consider other things besides mill
tary knowledge and eXigencieS in ascer-
tanning the qualifications of National
Guard officer. But If the mental standard
were raised IL would put on their mettle a
great many very bright and intelligent
young men now in the ranks. who would
devote themselves to study with view TO
promotion.
The armory question is one whose
proper solution means great zeal for the
National Guard. The present quarters are
entirely too cramped, and there is crying
need Tor more drill room which should be
met by the construction of large buildings
designed for the purpose.
Il believe, too, that the adoption of dis
tinctive full-dress uniforms by each reg-
ment would engender a spirit of emulation
which could not prove other than bene-
fetal. Let the service uniform be alike in
the whole division, with the distinctive
facings for the different arms of the SER
vice. But distinctive full-dress uniform
means great deal. II attractive and
snowy it is one of the very best of recruit
ing cards. The ladies have a great in
fuence in military matters. They like to
see a man in dashing uniform. Ma
tional Guardsmen know this as well as
other people, and as it is human nature
for young men to seek to engage the ad-
miration of their lady friends, why should
they be deprived of the opportunity to APP
pear on parade in uniforms where the or
namental element is u OF entirely discarded .
| am in favor of the service uniform first.
but 1t is all nonsense to ignore the value
OF handsome full-dress uniform. A dis
tinctive regimental dress is a powerful
incentive to promoting what we call esprit
de CORDS"