The San Francisco call., 1896-02-04
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
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SACRAMENTO, Cal, January 25.
To the Honorable Secretary of the Navy-SIR: 1
would most respectfully request that the moni-
tor Comanche. now at Mare Island, be turned
over temporarily to the State of California for
the training of her naval militia. If this were
done we could place on board full corps of
competent engineers and crew of naval
officers, seamen, etc. This vessel could be
returned to Mare Island, in case of neces-
sity, in few hours. 1t would be kept
in or about the bay of San Francisco
l would also ask that you order that the steam
launch formerly attached to the United States
ship Mohican be turned over temporarily
to California for the purpose of torpedo prac-
tice. We have recently received torpedo out
fit and should have a launch Tor practice in
that arm of the service. 1 would also ask for
the detail of officer of the United States
navy for the purpose of inspecting and in
structing the Naval Battalion. understand
that on the Atlantic Coast an officer is detailed
for this purpose, but the great distance at which
this State is situated renders il mpraetcablef for
him to give any assistance to the naval militia
here. In this connection 1would respectfully
call your attention to two inciosed copies of
letters from Lieutenant-Colonel n. L. James of
my staff who is acting inspector of the naval
militia of this State. 1 will say that there is
now organized in this State five divisions of
naval militia numbering on December 81,
1895, 4S0 officers and men, all well equipped
and ready at moments notice to take the
field, but lacking in the matter of suitable YES
sells in which to acquire the drill necessary to
make them successful seamen. Very respect
fully, JAMES II. BUDD,
Governor of the State of California
Lieutenant Colonel James letter reads
as follows:
A. ". Barrett Esq, Adjutant- General of the
State of California, Sacramento: 1 would re-
spectfully request that headquarters make
requisition upon the United States Navy De-
partment for the use of the steam launch for
merly attached to the Mohican for the purpose
of topedo practice with the outfit which has
recently arrived. Without a boat of that de-
scription the outfits practically of little value
for the protection of the harbor, and no oppor-
tunity is given the men in that arm of the
service. I would also strongly recommend Of
it meets with the approval of yourself and the
commander-in-chieD that the Governor ask to
be detailed for duty upon his staff lin the
same manner as Captain Darlington was de-,
tailed), an officer of the United States navy for
the purpose of inspecting and instructing the
naval battalion and imparting to it the esprit
which can only be obtained by contact with an
officer in active service, who is in full touch
with all modern ideas and Improvements.
East of the Rocky Mountains an officer is de-
tailed for this purpose with the naval battal-
ion, but at this distance from headquarte ters it
is of course impracIicable for him to give the
naval battalion of California any assistance or
benefit of his experience. The battalion of.C
ifornia being scattered, as it is from the north
ernmost TO southernmost part of State, it would
require the entire time and attention of one
officer, and especially when the torpedo branch
is placed in active commission. am led to
believe that a requisition upon the Navy
Department from the eommauder-in:chief
through Senator Perkins and Representative
Hilborn (both of whom are members of the
Naval committees of Congress), setting forth
the foregoing needs of officer for this ptlr-
pose may be granted and an officer detailed
In case that this should meet with your ap-
proval, would respectfully suggest the name
of Lieutenant Fechteler (who is at present in
charge of the photographic Office in San Fran
cisco)for the reason that this gentlemen is
identified with the interests OF California, pe-
ing familiar with our coast. our people, and
having married California lady. From my
acquaintance with him believe he is the man
for the position, and his record Gas far as 1 can
learn) conforms Win this opinion. In case
that this meets with approval will also ask if
you will kindly notify ME, as there are many
matters pertaining TO the battalion which are
in need of attention, but which would be in
fuenced somewhat by your decision in the
case. Yours very truly, A. T. JAMES
Lieutenant-Colonel A. D. c.. and Inspector
Representative Hilborn was at the Navy
Department to-day and strongly urged
that these recommendations be carried
out. The CALL correspondent understands
that Secretary Herbert will accede to the
requests as made by Governor Budd.