The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-08-30
TROUBLE IN CAMP.
Two Militia Officers at
Swords Points.
THE GENERAL AND CAPTAIN.
Dickinson Gives His Opinion of
Blumenberg.
A COURT OF INQUIRY PROBABLE.
Likelihood That the National Guard
May Again Furnish Some
interesting Gossip.
THE GENERAL AND CAPTAIN.
COURT OF INQUIRY PROBABLE.


may be detected on the face of the moon.
Professor Holden has not as yet announced
the fact, but the big pale orb is neverthe-
less discoored by decidedly carmine hue.
TO the National Guard of California may
be attributed the proud distinction of hav-
ing first discovered the phenomena. and
the researches which have since taken
place fully warrant the prediction that the
queen of the heavens will continue TO
change color until at last she will surprise
the inhab tantS of the earth by appearing
in a complete garb of red.
And it was all caused by the retirement
from active service of Captain S. P. Blu
menberg of the First Troop Cavalry.
National! Guard of California. He is now
on the retired list, ana, while II is claimed
officially that a physical injury is the
direct cause of his retirement. it is well
known that other and more urgent reasons
actuated him in filing his application.
Captain BIumenberg has absolutely no
- liking for General john q. Dickinson. and
the latter, to be consistent, has wasted no
friendship on Captain Blumen berg 1t is
purely personal affair between The two
officers, but as is to be expected these per-
sonalities have gradually crept into the
official relations of the two men. and they
have turned each others picture toward the
wall
Blumenberg received notification Mon
day that he had been placed upon the re-
tired list, in compliance with his own re-
quest. and Immediately after being re-
leased of his tinsel and tin armor. he pro-
ceeded to unburden himself of modern
hard-luck story. General Dickinson was
depleted in the role of the heavy villain,
and anything and everything in the line Of
unpleasantness which had transpred of
late in the National Guard of California
was attributed to the general. Being out
of actual service, the captain of the First
Troop Cavalry felt that he had a perfect
right to speak his mind without fear of
courts of inquiry or solemn court-martials.
But in this he appears TO have been mis-
taken, for although he has been retired he
is still member of the National Guard,
and can be made TO answer for any dis
respect shown his superior officers. And
his retiring utteranceS have aroused the
indignation of General Dickinson, who
graveiy hints that Captain Blumen berg
will be given an opportunity to explain his
insinuations against the ruling military
powers. The battle wakes fierce and the
face of the moon.
General Dimond. when approached on
the sui ject, claimed to know very little of
the trouble existing between Dickinson
and Biumenberg. He stated that the
latter had been the central figure in several
courts OF inquiry, but beyond this be knew
nothing of the disagreement. He was
aware that Captain Blumenberg had been
LIFT
the action Of the militia during the recent
strike had absorbed too much of his time
to allow of his delving into the minute
details Of this particular official disagree
ment.
When asked for a statement concerning
the uncOmplimentary utterances of Cap
tain Blumenberg. Colonel Dickinson as
sumed just-wait-and-see air ana appeared
cool and collected in spite of what had
been said concerning him.
I'm my opinion" said he, Captain
Blumenberg is one of the best officers we
have in the service. AS an administrative
official he is all that could be desired, but
he does not pos Sess the faculty of earning
the respect and confidence of his men.
You cannot compel the respect of those
under you; this sort of thing must be
earned honestly and given freely. Captain
Blumenberg has shown a great dea! of
favoritism in the First Troop Cavalry.
and in consequence there has been
more or less dissenson in the ranks.
His official acts have been inquired
into on several occasions, and, in
stead of being an enemy of his, have
befriended him. Several years ago there
was serious question whether commits
sion should be granted him. and l went to
Sacramento and arranged the matter salts
facjorlIy. He is inclined to roast
every one with whom he comes in
contact. and in consequence has Gre
created considerable trouble in his COM
pany. He is now on the retired list to be
sure. but his remarks concerning my Off
cial conduct will receive attention later
on. The explanation he gives will go a
great way IN determining whether court
martial or court of inquiry will be held in
his case"
Captain Blumenberg is the owner
of a weekly publication known as the
Militant, which is devoted to the interests
of the militia OF the State. The editorials
are short. crisp and to the point. and
General Dickinson receives his full share
of attention in a roundabout way. He Is
TO as SOm6D0uy, ana
judging from the insinuations conveyed by
many of the paragraphs the editor eV-
IDENTIFY has certain facts within his knowl-
edge which he threatens to turn loose if
the generals attitude be not agreeable.
Captain Blumenberg laughs heartily at
the idea that Dickinson went to Sacra-
mentO to urge the issuance of captains
commission.
HE went to Sacramento all right" said
BlumenDerg when informed of the generals
statement, ''but it was through no particu-
lar friendship for me. The commission
was signed by Governor Markham on jan
uary %, but did not receive it till March
simply because certain officers opposed me
because had been instrumen tai in bring
ing them into court in connection with
certain business matters concerning nv
troop. The Governor withheld the COM
mission in order to look into the facts of
the case. and there were no family matters
of any nature connected with the affair.
Dickinson went up there because She had
been asked to do so by lady to whom he
was obligated. OF course this is a matter
did not intend to refer to, but it is true.
nevertheless, and everything l have said
/ stand ready to substantiate when the
proper time comes. L may then have a
great deal more to say. General Dickin-