The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-11
CAPITAL WAR COUNCIL
Called to Discuss Ma
tionaI Guard ReOr-
ganization.
PROMPT ACTION ASKED
Three Companies Must Be
Immediately Mustered
Out.
SECTIONAL LINES OPPOSED
The Conference Fails to Arrive
at Any Definite Con-
CluSion.

was q council OF war IN the gupernatorlaI
rsception-room this afternoon, called to-
gether by his Exeellency for the purpose
of consulting as to the best method to be
employed IN the reorganization of the Ma
tional Guard to conform to the new law
passed by the late Legislature, which pro-
vides that the military force of the State
must consist of three brigades, instead OF
the present number, which is six, and
these brigades must consist Of slxty-nlne
companies instead of seventy-two.
Maior-General Dimond opened the cam
paign by stating that he was under the i'm
preston that the new law did not go into
effect until May 1. but Governor Budd de-
cided that it went into effect Immediately
and that instant action was necessary.
Brigadier-General Dickinson then sug-
gested that the National Guard be reorgan-
lied on the following basis: The First and
Second brigades to remain as they are and
all other companies south of the Te-
hachapi Mountains to be included IN the
Third Brigade.
Governor Budd filed an immediate OBJ
lection to this project by saying that he
was opposed to any geographical division,
made with regard to north and south.
There had already been too much talk and
comparison between the northern and
southern portions of the State, and he did
not believe in anything that would tend
to stimulate the sentiment that seemed to
be rapidly growing toward a division be-
tween the sections. He had made study
of the question and thought it advisable to
include the whole of the San Joaquin
Valley in the district south of the Te-
hechapi in one brigade, the coast counties
in another, and the Sacramento Valley
counties, north of San Joaquin, should con-
stitute the third.
II did not study this question as map"
continued his excellency, "but on account
of defense or attack, and while we are re-
organizing we may as well do it for service.
l am also in favor of not only cutting out
the three or five companies necessary to
conform with the new law, but all COM
panies that are slack, even if we go below
the limit"
Major-General Dimond said that he
conceded with the Governor in the plan
suggested. 1t was identical with that
which had been proposed by the United
States inspecting officer on his visit to the
coast two years ago.
After considerable discussion the plan
was adopted.
Colonel Mcdonald of the Second Ar
tillery, San Francisco, gave his views on
the subject of reorganization, and after
rendering an eloquent tribute to the
efficiency of the Napa light battery said he
thought that they could be attached to the
brigade at Sacramento with advantage.
He also stated that it was absolutely
necessary that a cavalry company should
be formed and stationed at San Francisco.
oCan you get horses there?" asked the
Governor.
sOh, yes" responded the colonel. 1--WE
can get horses.
'Well, if you get horses can you get men
who can ride them2'' questioned the Gov
ernor.
At this the stern men of war broke into
a general laugh and the colonel retreated in
confusion.
General Montgomery of Chico made a
sudden attack upon the assemblage by say
ing: 1T seems to be agreed that from
three to five companies must be mustered
out, what companies must goP'
you're ahead of time, general" said his
Excellency. 1--WE must wait and find out. ]"
1t was then suggested by a member of
the council that two companies in the
southern portion of the State and one in
the northern were not up to the standard,
nor within mile of it, but that this was
a matter for future consideration.
General Dickinson thought the selection
of the companies to be mustered out should
be left until after the annual inspection,
which would take place in six weeks, and
in the meantime a quiet investigation
could be instituted among the headquar-
tiers of the various companies for the pur-
pose of ascertaining their efficiency.
Governor Budd declared that the COM
panies should be mustered out imme-
diately, as the new law only provided for
the payment of 500 to each of the sixty
nine companies, and he wanted it distinct
~ understood that from this time on the
various companies must actually expend
and account for every dollar of their allow
ance or return it to the State treasury. He
did not think 800 per month too large a
sum to be expended on any company, but
was decidedly opposed to any company
boarding up the peoples money at the ex-
pense of their proper equipments. He be-
heved that when company was needed in
actual service they should be fully equipped
with haVersacks, canteens, blankets and
overcoats, so that they could take the field
at moments notice.
Colonel Henshaw of Chico said 800 per
month was little enough for the current
expenses of any company. He could make
a far better company with $500.
81 acknowledge that fact" said the Gov
ernor, land want all of the appropriated
sum spent on each company and no more
boarding of funds. That business must
cease"
Colonel Nunan of Stockton said that at
one time his company had $500 in its
treasury, but spent it afterward in shoot
ing-range.
"They will never have that much again, u
laconically rejoined the Governor.
Calonel Henshaw said: when l first
became captain of company they had 5000
in their treasury, but they did not have ii
long after took charge"
"How could they?' asked an irreverent
member, and shout of laughter burst
forth in which the gallant colonel heartily
mined