The morning call., 1895-02-04
REORGANIZING THE DEFENDERS OF THE ST ATE
Too Nany Officers in the Citizen Soldiers Must Obey
National Guard Orders.
CONSOLIDATION is IN ORDER. NEW LAW is PROPOSED
MKeeyS Bill Will Cause Shake They Must Forget Their Sympathy
Up Of Generals When Facing Mob
0fE BRIGADE SAID TO De SUFFICIENT TWO MGADB 10 BIZ ABOLISHED
Governor Bu approves the Plan and 0hcT Must Pass bXamaOn-As
Gold Lace Wr Ought TO- for Sembyman Powers Has Meas
They Go on the Retired List ure Of His Own
CONSOLIDATION is IN ORDER.
McKeIvey'S Bill Will Cause a Shake
Up Of Generals.
one BRIGADE SAID TO De SUFFICIENT.
Governor Budd approves the Plan, and
Gold Lace WearerS Ought 10, for
They Go on the Retired List.

SACRAMENTO, Feb. ST the bill that
MoKelvey of Santa Ana is to introduce in
the Assembly tomorrow becomes a law
the militia generals will have a great
shaking up. His proposition is to con-
solidate the National Guard into one
brigade.
Long before the session of the Legisla-
ture q meeting OF the Officers Association
was held and a desirable law considered.
Those present were bound to abide by the
decision of the majority, and then it was
decided to work for bill establishing four
brigades. There was much talk among a
number of the officers at this time about
"snap judgments" Some claimed that
they were the victims of superior manipu-
lation OF political wires and that they had
been made the instruments to crafty the
ambitions of some of the leaders.
Most of the officers who had studied the
conditions of the militia carefully were in
favor of one brigade organization. Others
wanted three brigades. Either arrange
ment would have left Brigadier-General
Muller Of Fresno and his staff with their
occupation gone and they were prepared
to fight them. The undercurrent of opin-
ion among the dissatisfied officers at the
time was that mutual concessions had
been made by the powers that be and a
fourth brigade was established with
Fresno as its center, and of course Muller
as its general. Since the officers were
bound by the decision of the association
little noise was made as the time, but
there is a tremendous amount of thinking.
The one brigade idea grew, and it was at
last decided to make a move in the direc-
ton of legislation. Charles S. McKelvey,
the representative from Orange County, is
a major of the Ninth Regiment He had
an object lesson of the non-utility of the
present cumberous, unwieldy and expen-
sive system during the strike of last sum-
mer He decided to introduce a bill for
one brigade. H found that Powers OF San
Francisco, also military expert, had the
same object in view Together they con-
suited with other military men in the
house, and, with the aid of Major f. c..
Prescott of Redlands, drafted bill which
Mr.. McKelvey is to introduce.
The bill provides for one brigade instead
of six, as at present. The brigade is to be
made up of five regiments each containing
twelve companies. There are to be four
batteries of artillery and one troop of cav
airy. All the present brigade officers will
be placed on the retired list. This will en-
able them to sport their titles and their
uniforms on all gala days for the rest OF
their lives. Field officers who are not con-
tinued in service will be placed on the re-
tired list, also if they make application.
But if they remain on the active list till
their commissions expire they will then
become plain ordinary civilians again.
''The law will save $500 month in al
lowances for stationery, postage, ETC.,
alone" Mr.. McKelvey said to-day. I'm
time of action the amount of saving will be
that much day in the matter of brigade
officers alone. Another advantage is that
it will bring the men nearer the general
headquarters and there viii be lessening
of red tape and wasted time"
The measure has been urged as advisable
to Governor Budd and it is understood
that he views the one brigade proposition
with favor. Strong influence will be
brought to bear, however, by those high in
authority to have the more cumbersome
four brigade system already proposed by
Bachman carried through.