The San Francisco call., 1897-02-15

a mum ber of the officers connected with
the National Guard visited Sacramento
during the past week and appeared before
the Military Committee. They found the
members very attentive listeners to all
thai had to be said in favor OF and against
the several propositions that have been
presented to the Legislature. The indica-
tions are that number of amendments
will be passed, isome of which will be of
benefit 10 the Guard, but Others if adopt
ed will do neither good nor harm.
Whether there will be an encampment
or encam pments this year or not is still IN
the line of great uncertainty. There is
strong move in Sacramento for camp sites
and 1t is thought that if the Legislature
gives the $40, 900 asked for for this purpose
it will hot make any appropriation this
year for encampments and the men will
have to wait another year before enjoying
the pleasures of a week or ten days on the
tented field. 1t the meantime the men
will fail in knowledge of camp instruction
and will continue to conhne themselves to
indoor drill
There IS great deal OF comment over the
fact that the guardsmen are not trained for
battalion or regimental drills occasionally.
The men by such drills can become acquainte ted
thoroughly understand the nature OF the COM
mands that are given during outdoor evolu-
tiOns. AS ii is, they are now versed in the
theory OF outdoor work, but they lack prac-
tice ana 1t is practice that makes perfect. Pos
sibly when 1.-The at Sacramento is over,
the brigs sdier-generals will turn their atten-
ton TO that part OF the school OF the.sodier.
The announcement in THE CALL last Monday
that the naval battalion at this point has
started school of instruction for petty off,
GERS and lyceum for the officers and men as
attracted some attention TO subject that
would result in u great deal OF good If the
other branches OF The service would follow the
example set. There is q necessity for the in
struction OF the non-commisSioned officers of
the guard, and q uniform instruction that,
for IL certainly is not credit TO the organiza-
tfon that each officer is permitted TO place
whatever construction he desires upon any
clause IN the regulations
In Illinois these schools of instruction have
met with good success and have resulted in
men OF the guard. The Illino First Infantry
mas organized a course OF military instruction
and discussion with black board illustration.
These are given twice a month in one of the
large halls of the armory.
Major-General Snowden, commanding the
Pennsylvania Division of the National Guard,
has ordered some material changes in the
drill regulations. In recent orders ne says:
Further exercise in the extended order drill
is waste of time which can be put TO more
profitable use" He has ordered that the men
shal know something beyond mere drill, and
has directed the commanding officers to prac-
tice their troops In outpost duty, Cossack
posts, marching with advance and rear guards,
fankers, as ii in the presence OF enemy,
and they are 10 be practiced in the escorting
OF supply trains and making reconnoissaDces.
little OF that kind OF work for the National
Guardsmen OF California would make better
soldiers.