The morning call., 1895-02-12
AID FOR THE NATIONAL GUARD.
Expenses for State Soldiers Shaved to
the Closest Notch.
RETRENCHMENT ON IN THE ASSEMBLY.
Speaker Lynch Summarily Drops From
the Roll an Absent Assistant
Enrolling Clerk.

SACRAMENTO, Feb. 11.-Most of the morn
ing was devoted by the Assembly to the
consideration of the general appropriation
bill. A hard fight was made for more gen.
erous treatment of the National Guard,
which prevailed in part. In spite Of Bled-
soes opposition only few changes were
made in the appropriations recommended.
The Ways and Means Committee cut
down the Controllers estimate of $233, ,260
for armory rents and other expenses of the
National Guard to $133, ,260. McKelvey of
Los Angeles wished to amend by appro-
priating $216,000. He explained that this
sum was what the Committee on Military
Affairs had decided was necessary. Dur
ing the forty-fifth and forty-sixth fiscal
years S21518 had been appropriated, and
he thought that the sum he asked for was
really modest when it was taken into con-
sideration that the Naval Battalion was to
be included in the National Guard.
Powers of San Francisco offered substi-
tute appropriating $185,000 General Di-
mond, he said, had estimated the least
sum the National Guard could be properly
carried on for was $163,0 900. Figures varied
from $130, 900 to $685. 900. The sum he fixed
he had decided upon after consultation
with military men well versed in the needs
of the States soldiers, and, while not too
parsimonious, would be sufficient to pay
expenses on an economical basis.
Wade of Napa objected to the amend
ments. He thought too much money was
asked for altogether. Besides, he urged,
no one knew how much more would be re-
quired for the Naval Battalion. McKelvey
explained that there was to be but one ap-
preparation for the National Guard, which,
under the new system yet to be completed,
was to consist of seventy companies and
include the Naval Battalion.
"The number of companies is too many"
Reid of Shasta objected, "the system too
cum bersome. I think there ought to be
only forty companies, and then the expense
would only be half as much and the sol
diers could be used to better advantage"
'tThat's what's the matter" Wade chimed
in from his seat.
Osborn of Santa Cruz did not agree with
them, though. He announced that, as
chairman of the Military Committee, he
had investigated the matter of the appro-
priation and was sure the amount asked
for by McKelvey was not too large if good
service were desired.
A vote was taken, which resulted in the
acceptance of the substitute introduced by
Powers.
McKelvey of Los Angeles wanted the ap-
preparation for target shooting raised from
$4,000 to $S000 stating that such sum was
necessary in order that each member of
the National Guard might be allowed
twenty rounds of ammunition for target
shooting. Powers of San Francisco urged
that the usefulness of the National Guard
depended on their ability to shoot, and
that any niggardliness that would lessen
their familiarity with the handling of arms
would be unwise. Mr.. Brusie explained
that only $4,000 was appropriated for the
previous years, and that he thought it
would be ample for the coming year as
we'll. The House thought SO, too, and
voted down the proposed amendment.
The next objection came with regard to
the appropriation for the State Printing
Office. Bledsoe wanted the clause exempt
ing it from the section providing that only
half the money could be used in the forty
seventh fiscal year stricken out. Brusie
showed how this clause was necessary,
and the section went through unaltered.
Bledsoe wanted the appropriation of
S4O,O 900 for the State school books stricken
out Brusie again came to the bills rescue,
explaining that $4,000 was to be taken
from the fund anyhow, and urged that if
any cut were to be made in the printing
office it be made in the printing of
the reports of commissions which nobody
read He begged the House not to take
step that might cripple the educational
progress of the State.
Lynch of San Bernardino, who had sur
rendered the chair to Guy, offered a SUBJ
stitute, reducing the appropriation to
$4,000. Again Brusie made a pathetic
appeal to the patriotic instincts of the
Assemblymen for the preservation of the
school books.
1.-The whole set are disgrace to the
present era," Lynch retorted. ''They
are full of glaring inaccuracies. The geo.
graphy is all wrong, and think that they
ought to be able to get along with $1,000 ,
| A vote was taken. 1t was viva voce, and