The record-union., 1896-08-18

of the General Government, and that it
Is having good effect.
My acquaintance with the National
Guard Of California dates back eight or
ten years; but not until within the past
year have / been brought into close Of
fetal relationship with it. During these
years the condition of the Guard has
steadily improved, until to-day it is far
superior to what 1t was some years ago.
/ have now visited and carefully in
spected every. organization in the State.
I have talked with officers and men,
pointing out errors and irregularities
wherever observed, and have sought to
find just what was most needed for their
betterment. / have no hesitancy in
saying that 1 have found the material
good throughout. Officers are generally
intelligent, well informed and exhibit
an interest in the Guard, and as for the
enlisted men, I was struck with their
robust physique, especially those of the
country companies. No better material
can be found from which to make fine
soldiers, and their efficiency as such
must depend almost entirely upon their
officers, and more especially upon the
Captain and First Sergeant. These two
must be well instructed, active and in
terested, and devote much time, besides
drill occasions, to all the details of the
company. The same thing applies in a
less degree to the Lieutenants.
PAY FOR OFFICERS.
I found that officers frequently made
the excuse for shortcomings that I'VE
get no pay for this work. and think we
do very well under the conditions, and
should have all due credit Well, I
fully agree with them; but they should
also remember that this service is en-
tirely voluntary, and the conditions are
understood beforehand.
Moreover it should be considered an
honor, and it is certainly virtue, to
serve ones State, and Virtue is it's own
reward" However, I do not wish to
be understood as discouraging the idea
that some material remuneration would
be right and proper. The Guard is
certainly a necessary and important
part of the State machinery, and should
be kept in the best possible condition.
This requires the services of good Off
GERS, whose time is surely worth some-
thing, and would suggest the following
as not too much and entirely earned:
Captains (and Lieutenants when COM
rnanding Company, $50 per month;
Lieutenants with Company, so per
month; First Sergeants, S15 per month.
For the Guard, as at present organ
ized, this would require an annual APP
preparation OF just S47. $50, which would
| increase the tax rate but slightly, and
would be money well invested.
ELECTIONS.
do not think the elective method of
obtaining officers is the best-first, be-
cause personal feelings enter 50 largely
| into the choice that fitness is very likely
to be lost sight of in the desire to elect
good fellow" or popular man: and,
after election, such a man is obliged to
sacrifice discipline to maintaining pop
ularity and position.
The rules and regulations, however,
provide a means of checking this ten
dency, and that is the Examining Board,
which should be composed of officers
of unquestioned ability and character,
who can be depended upon to lay aside
personal feelings and consider the in
terest of the guard only. AT the time of
| the original election, possession of
military knowledge is not so important
as character and standing in the COM
munity. man of fair education and
intelligence can very soon gain a know
ledge of drill regulations by study-a
perfect tactician who lacks force of
character to command men can never
make a good company officer or main
tain discipline These considerations
suggest that Examining Boards should
perform their duties rlessly-without
partiality or favoritism, and recommend
no man for a commission who is not en-
| tirely fitted for the important duties
| that must devolve upon him.
ATTENDANCE AT DRILLS.
| Captains complain that some men re-
! sist their best efforts to compel them to
attend drills with regularity. These
men always make an excuse for failure
/ TO attend which the Captain, in many
| instances, cannot decline to accept. To
| overcome this tendency to slight the
weekly drills, l would suggest, first.
that the Captain and other officers must
| evince personal interest in each man,
and while the hour set apart for drill
| should be strictly duty, and every mill
| tary formality observed every proper
| inducement should be thrown out to
make the meeting interesting. Men
who persist in staying away, and who
show no desire to attend to their duties.
should be disnonorably discharged.