San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-04-07
THE BE LKNAP SPLIT.
Some Causes of the Discussions
That Now, Alas, Exist.

There has been great excitement in the
Belknap Rifles and unfortunately al
equally great division in the esprit du
corps. There is considerable attempt "a
conceal this ma ter, but after careful
Investigation LIGHT reporter found as
follows.
The Belknap Rifles had large number
of members who were merely Of an in
cumhuS character. They paid no dues,
attended no drills aud at the same time
awaited themselves of the social ana
other privileges OF the armOry. There
were some me nbGrS who kicked at this
ATTRACTION OF wv and equity aud eventual
2y the feeling became s. strong that
many delinquent member, 1t is
said Sixty-Six. We're expelled from the
company and peremptoriily denied
its privileges. Here. perhaps, might have
been an end Of the matter, that was un-
pleas int on both sides, but the action had
10 be reported to the adJutant general of
the state. This was done in semi and
informal manner to pro ect the delin-
QuenIS. The al jutant general. however,
insists upon full and definite report.
csiN. nc names and other data. in order
,Shat the dellnquentS might be discharged
under general orders. which TO soldier
is disgrace:
Here came another trouble. Among the
delinQuemtS Were several old mem berS-
charter mem berS, who had done much to
build up and sustain the reputation of
the BelknapS 10 the early and in their
palmieSt days. The old members waited
these members exempt from the disgrace
and the young members were willing but
they did not see why flesh should be made
OF one member and fowl of another, and
Qhe young members demand equal faVOrS
3Or their friends.
meeting was he'd last night mainly
for the purpose of considering the matter
and Of deciding whether the company
should take part in the Ba, Of Flowers.
The former question was first con-
si6ered and cordial affirmative
answer was gwen but when the delin-
,Queu1 question arose there was some &C
PTmOniOuS discussion and it was quite eV-
ident that there was little or no change
of agreement. There was only bare quo
rum present, and one of the members. "a
if by arrangement, withdrew The chair
man then called attention to the fact and
the meeting therefore adjourned without
doing anv thing in the way Of compro-
mise Or settlement.
Great things decay. The H GUS
ton Light Guards is now not
what it us to be and alas. the
SAM ny be said of the BeiknapS. The
cause for this is changes in the personnel
of the 60 rpany, too satisfied ambition
and satisfaction at this and that, not
mucn Germans. but enough to do ma
terra. injury. Dropping water wears
rOcS> and the little riff in the lutte will
eventually >ilcncp it.
l. talking Of the matter to well known
memhrr The company he said: The
Iact = there is not that chic nor unity
that here has been, neither is there
the social p eaSure that did much
10 I"rvr the company ana give
that enthusiasm necessary for military
success fhen the new metal has not as
SIM ar.d % we'll with the old, and that
state rncim mcnt has done much to dis
gust rh- boys with the military service
or cUu So. discipline and training are use
full ALI necessary, and on this gr und a
STATE "ucampment Is desirable, bat the
site size we'd j. the worst possible, the
WAFER wore Than the San Pedro creek.
and I'll" foo i hardly tit for a dog. Then
som Of thO.e Dlaving big officers
want to be mart nets. Another
evil : III u the enc impmer is held in the
hottest and most incOnvrnipnt season of
the year There are hopes, however.
that the discussions Will be amiCably
healed and that the Bplknap. will again
be unj'"d ana victorious. maintaining in
the tV'ure its Curious prestige of the
past