The San Francisco call., 1895-12-02
National Guard Reorganization
May Now Be Fully
Discussed.
A COUNCIL OF WAR TONIGHT.
All the Officers of the Commander.
Chiefs Staff Summoned to Attend
the Conference.

GleamS OF light more brilliant than the
ordinary illumination may flash from the
tower of the California Hotel tonight and
curious observers may pause to study the
display. Should one be permitted to en-
ter and ascend to the circular room of the
rotunda, one would see Governor Budd,
commander-in-chief of the National
Guard of California, surrounded by his
staff of warriors.
The Governor has been in Office nearly
one year, but not once since his advent to
power have the officers composing his staff
met at the festal board or on the tented
field. 1t is high time now that thev
should meet and become acquainted with
each other. The Governor has in mind
now the reorganization of the National
Guard, and it is quite natural that he
should desire to confer with officers Of
high military rank, in whose judgment he
has the greatest confidence.
In one sense the meeting tonight will
be council Of peace, as preliminary step
toward placing the National Guard on a
war footing. Adjutant-General Barrett,
who performs the duties of quartermaster,
commissary and ordnance officer in addi-
ton to his functions as chief of staff, will
be present. Likewise Colonel George B.
Sperry of Stockton, inspector of rifle prac-
tice, will attend the session and enjoy the
pleasure of meeting and greeting Colonel
n. T. James of San Francisco. Colonel
James is young officer on the staff who
graduated at the Annapolis Naval Acad-
emy, and the Governor has so much conf
dence in his Judgment as a military man
that ne has appointed him director of
the blind asylum. So, afoot or afoat,
Colonel James is up with the procession.
Colonel w. ]. Younger cannot be present
this evening. His duties as a member ot
the Stomatological Society called him East
some weeks ago.
Colonel and Judge Advocate Harrington
of Colusa, who succeeded the brilliant
Colonel George A. Knight on the staff, is
expected.
Colonel F. s. Chadbourne, paymaster-
general and Harbor Commissioner, will
cast the light of his amiable countenance
ON the assembled throng and encourage
his young friend, Colonel ]. f. Burgin, 10
speak his mind freely on the topic of re-
organization. In private Colonel Chad
bourne has listened long and patiently to
Colonel Burgin's views on this subject.
Colonel j. S. Young, the genial landlord
of the Russ House, should be there. Like
Chadbourne and Burgin he served under
Governor Markham and, as it is only
block or two from the Russ House to the
California Hotel, Colonel Young's absence
would evoke comment.
liam E. Fisher will surely respond to the
invitation to be present. The latter's
duty as member of the Grand Jury may
engage much of his time, but not so much
as to compel a neglect of military respon-
sibility when the vital subject of reorgani-
Zation is pending.
Colonel Frank Mclaughlin of Oroville,
Santa Cruz and the Palace Hotel is an
other Markham veteran and his sugges-
tiOnS should be OF value
Colonel A. Andrews, veteran of the
Mexican War and the Midwinter Fair, and
Colonel Jefferson Doolittle have opinions
on military subjects that the Governor
should heed.
The meeting tonight promis es to be one
of great moment to the National Guard.
1t is not expected that the staff officers
will be raped to order and commanded to
give their views at once to the council.
The programme so far as outlined, con-
templates the general introduction by
name and rank. Then the officers will be
invited to take refreshments of substan-
tial character with liquid accessories.
After eating and drinking there will be
chatting and smoking, "reminiscences of
life on the tented field, legends of Santa
Cruz and stories of Sacramento. Half in
earnest and half in jest the characteristics
of this or that regimental commander may
be discussed.
In point of pulchritude Colonel Mac
donald of the Second Artillery may be COM
pared with Colonel jeremiah G. O'Connor
of the Third Infantry. Colonel II. P.
Bush's military career may be contrasted
with the like career OF Colonel W. P. Sui
livan. But this will be in the light and
airy conversation preceding the heavier
and more profound subject of reorganiZa-
tiOn.