The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-17
REORGANzING THE GUARD,
General Dimond Talks of Some.
of the Latest Proposed
Changes.
COMPANIES TO BE REDUCED.
Governor Budd VIII Concentrate
and Fully Equip the Militia.
Force.

Major-General Dimond sat in his office
at POP Market street yesterday afternoon
and talked of the National Guard and his
hopes attending its reorganization accord
ing to provisions of the law enacted by
the last Legislature and the disposition of
Governor Budd, who is commander-in-
chief.
There is much speculation as to the pro-
posed changes. The Governor has started
in to revolutionize the entire department,
and being a military officer himself. hav-
ing risen from the ranks, the belief is
general that he will succeed in having
three thoroughly equipped brigades. The
reappointment OF General Dimond, with
additional honors, and the appointment of
Brigadier-G General Warfeld have been well
received in military circles.
t sit is the idea OF the Governor to have
the guard most efficient, u: said General
Dimond yesterday, :'and to that end we
will cooperate with him.. He will proba-
ably reduce the number of companies
sixty or less. The old law limited the
| number of companies to sixty-nine in
fantry or artillery, though we: have had
seventy companies, artillery and cavalry,
and fourcempanles OF the Naval Battalion.
creased to five com panies, as their value
was fully shown during the strike at Sac
rane1to. The United States Government
| furnishes the rifles and equipment for the
battalion, which is always ready for the
field at the shortest notice.
THE guard generally is in a lamentable
state. and the Governor means to give
shaking up all round. He has taken
deep interest: and exercised much care in
the work of reorganization. The Governor,
himself thoroughly educated to the needs
of the. guard, for he served for years at
Stockton and rose from the ranks through
his own energy and ability, is certainly q
most competent Judge as to the needs OF
the State in this respect.
"Our arms are obsolete, and we need
new ones. The men are absolutely with
out overcoats, and should they be called
out for service in winter they would suffer
from exposure. In fact the companies are
not equipped in any particular for service
in the field. Now, the idea is to change
the whole situation, to concentrate and inn
prove the force. By reducing the number
of companies the Governor hopes to be
able to equip them from the present ap-
preparation.
1.-The Governor will also demand more
rigid examination of candidates by the ex-
aiming board. Each brigade has an ex-
aiming board of three officers. In the
past officers coming before the boards
with certificate of election have, it Is
thought, been dealt with too leniently in
| the matter of examination. The Governor
has taken a pronounced stand on this
point. He will insist on having compe-
| tent and energetic officers, who will attend
| strictly to their duties and see that the
men drill regularly. There will be no ia
voritism, but men and companies will be
| Judged on their merits.
There will probably be a general in
spection, and the com panies falling behind
will be mustered out. In this way the
number will be reduced from seventy. as
| at present, to under sixty.
| There has been too much politics in the
guard in the past and much unnecessary
strife engendered. Thus the actual work
of the companies has been neglected. Now,
the Governor, in whose power everything
rests, proposes to exclude all politics for
| work-hard, earnest, conscientious work.
| I'm the appointment of Brigadier-Gen-
| eral Warfield the Governor has made a
! wise selection. He not only has splen-
did war record, but he also served in the
New York Guard, and is man and SOL
| der of many and excellent parts. He is
| thoroughly acquainted with the duty OF a
soldier, which is to obey orders under any
and all circumstances. General Warfieid
will certainly be a valuable acquisition to
| the guard, and we will expect much from
him ~