The morning call., 1893-04-04
MILITARY REFORM.
Improvements in the Sec
ond Artillery.
Institution of Headquarters Night.
System in Drill Instruction.
Colonel Geary.

LIeutenant-COlonel Denis Geary, who is
in command of the Second Artillery Regi-
! ment during the absence abroad of Colonel
| Macdonald, has taken up the reiLs with the
grip OF veteran. For the time being the
regiment will feel the reforming influence
of being guided in its military administra-
| ton by an officer who has been trained in
/ the regular army. Colonel Geary also fully
comprehends the citizen soldery. and is per-
meated by its spirit. lie understands its
! distinctive characteristics. for he is also a
! veteran National Guardsman.
| When Colonel Macdonald returns from
| his tour in Europe, which is likely to ex-
| tend over the coming five or six months, he
Will have reason TO feel more than satisfied
that the command of his regiment devolved
| upon so capable an officer as Lieutenant
| Colonel Geary.
| One of the first reforms instituted by the
commanding officer of the Second Artillery
| is to establish what is known as head
| quarters night, a need that was long ago
! recognized by the colonies commanding
regimentssin New York City. The scheme
is very simple one. and has been found to
| contribute greatly to advance discipline. 1t
| Is to set apart certain regular nights in the
| week at the armoTy, when and where one OF
! the field officers and the adjutant may be
| IOuAiu Ou uuAS lUL lut tIHuSdCliUU Oh OlllC6
| business. The Second Artillery headquar-
| tiers will hereafter be found open from S 10
$50 P. NJ. on Mondays and Thursdays.
n OF second in Importance as a reform is
| the introduction of something like method
| into the routine of drill Orders are to be
| Issued prescribing that the first drill night
| IN the month shall be devoted by the COM
| pany commanders to exercises In the school
OF the company. the second to instruction in
! general duty, the third to exercises in the
school fOnTth N
| the transaction of company business.
Another good step in administration
| comes IN the shape of a revival rather than
| of new reform. 1t is TO make the Thurs
| day nights on which there are no drills
| count for actual regimen tai work. To this
| end Colonel Geary has provided for school
! Tor on-cOmmissiOned officers on the first
| thursday in each month, the examination
OF the same class Of officers for promotion
| on the third and school for commissioned
officers on the fourth Thursday. The sec
| ond Thursday in each month is the night
for the regular meetings of the board Of
officers of the regiment
with all these improvements once in
| vogue there must be an awakening in the
Second Artillery which cannot fail TO
| quicken its pace in its march toward the
head of the column of California regiments.
In his efforts to promote the discipline
| and elevate the standard of work In the
Second Artillery it is safe TO say that
| Colonel GeaTy will have the hearty CO.
| operation of all the line officers.
| Corporal John ii. Ropke of Battery f
has been recommended for promotion as
| cOmmissary on the regimental staff with
the rank of first lieutenant. Mr.. Ropke
received his first military education as
member Of the Louisville Light Infantry.
| He is regarded among his friends as a wiz
ard in the manipulation of deck of cards,
! for he can perform more wonderful tricks
with deck than the average professional
| cOnjurer.
Privates II. II. Earle, w. NJ Masury and
| w. G. O'Brien of the First Troop Cavalry
have been reprimanded in troop orders for
various breaches of discipline.
The folio wing changes have been an
nounced in Company +. Fifth Infantry:
| Sergeant Frank r. Williams to be first
sergeant; CorporalS George w. Rogers.
| Noel Duncan, William A. Collins and John
| l.. Underhill to be sergeants. and Privates
| Adelbert 5. Bradee. Harry w. Coolbr0th
| Francis NJ Osborn. Lawrence ". Ran dali.
| Charles Il. Surrhyne and John j. Thomas
| TO be corporals.
At the inspection OF the Pealuma conf
pany Captain Maclay purchased for all his
| men collars and ties which were uniform
| in style. The effect was a revelation OF
nattiness to the inspecting officers who had