Brookings register. (Brookings, S.D.) 1890-1894, 1894-03-09
National Guard Notes Furnished by the
Inspector General.

Inspector General.
Company A, of Flandreau, is very
active, having enlisted and now has
tifty-one men on the rolls. Lieuten-
ant A. S. Frost, U. S. A., inspected
the company on the 14th inst, with
forty-four men present. They were
exercised in bayonet drill, extended
order, and instructed in general way
in their military duties. The officers
and men are very enthusiastic over
their prospects.
The armOry Of the First regiment,
Minnesota national guard, displays
| the stars and stripes from its flagstaff
and it is the intention to keep the
cOlOrs floating every day, as is the
custom of garrisOnS of the regular
army and national armOrieS. 1t is
very appropriate that the national
emblem should float over the armories
of the national guard in all parts of
the United States and it is hoped the
custom will become general.
The system of rife practice as
adopted by the national guard of
South Dakota last year has caused
| favorable comment outside of the
state. The inspector general is in re-
ceipt of a communication from the
| inspector general of rifle practice of
the state of Massachusetts, asking for
the details Of how rifle practice was
conducted in this state. This is
something of a compliment to the
South Dakota National Guard.
The old folks concert given by COM
pany B February % was a success in
every particular. The quaint cos
tunes, powdered hair and society
| usageS of century ago were brought
out and produced a very pleasing
effect. Twelve of the members of
company B in full uniform acted as
| uSherS. The costumes were obtained
| from st. Paul at considerable expense
and were of silk and velvet. Mrs. U.
S. G.. Cherry won company B COM
pletely by singing piece composed
by herself, in which company b ap-
pears to very good advantage.
The inspector general has sent out
a circular letter to correct clerical
error on page 25 Of the annual report
of the adjutant general for the year
1893. The error consists in giving
Proficiency in Drill" - per cent to
company b, Fourth battalion, when
the actual standing was so per cent,
and requests all officers who have
copies of the report to make this cor
rectiOn, also company commanders
are requested to publish the letter to
their companies, to the end that any
injustice that may have been caused
by this error may be corrected as far
as possible.
The disgraceful scenes recently en-
acted in the armOry of company G.,
First regiment, Minnesota National
Guard, at St. Paul, are stain upon
the good name of the company and
should be frOwned upon by all national
guardSmen. The idea of turning an
armory of the national guard into a
brutal prize ring is something that
should be sat down upon hard. There
are plenty of methods by which ath-
letic exercises can be practiced with
out the brutal practice of pounding
each others faces with hard gloves.
| The members Of the national guard
can find plenty of exercise if they will
take up the setting up exercises as
prescribed by the infantry drill regu-
lations. This affair has caused the
military authorities of the state to
move in the matter and an order from
the adjutant general prohibiting such
exhibitions in the future has been
issued.
One very Objectionable feature of
our national guard system, and one
that causes the most dissatisfaction in
the management of the company is
the way the law provides for the ap-
pointment of non-commissioned Off
GERS. Under the present rule, the cap
tain nominates and the battalion COM
mander appoints. This system is all
right in the army, but in the national