The herald., 1897-08-30
NATIONAL GUARD NOTES
Observation-Disclosures

Perhaps the most important bit of
news this week is in reference to the
proposed outfitting of the entire guard
in new uniforms. This has been talked
about for nearly two years, and now bids
Ialr to become a reality instead of a
vague rumor. A number of the officers
seemed to think that the uniforms would
be issued as soon as the encampments
were over but even if the mem should be
measured for them now it would take
nearly two months before all of the red
tape could be gone through with and
the uniforms issued ard received.
There has been great deal of discus
sion over the dress coats which were
condemned some time ago. Some of the
new members argue that they should be
used, while the older men are talking
against their revival, for they know we'll
the discomforts that lie in the heavily
padded coats. ALI of this discussion is
doing little good, for there is not the
slightest chance that they will ever be
used again.
The recent revision of the manual of
arms, which was protested against at
the time the change was made, hasstead-
lily grown in favor and now there is
hardly a man that does not like it better
than the old. This is part of the reg
ularly organized scheme in all branches
of the service (of which the adoption of
the krag- -Jorgenson rifles was the firsD
to put the guard on a basis of actual
preparation for war; by doing away with
those movements which would have but
little use during actual engagement.
All those movements which would have
a tendency to make the manual of arms
difficult to master have been eliminated,
and with all the gold lace useless evolu-
tions stripped away, the weekly drills
are becoming drills in reality, and not
in name only, as they were under the old
regime The National Guard of the
United States is steadily, if somewhat
slowly, growing into a great, powerful
fighting machine which will be a most
important factor in the next war.
General Barrett is now in correspond
ence with the authorities At Washington
looking to the issuance of the new rifles
to the entire N. G. c. The measure is
deemed of such Importance that he may
be forced to go to the capitol to lay the
neceSsity for the weapons more forcibly
before the powers that be. He is at
present in camp with the northern regi-
ment at Ukiah.
The rumor that the Seventh regiment
(Which was formed by the consolidation
Of the old Seventh and Ninth) was to be
again split into two regiments was en-
phatically denied at headquarters, as
was the one that there was to be but one
brigade in California in the near future
Work on the new armory corner of
Eighth and Spring streets is progressing
rapidly and it will be ready for occupa-
tion about the first of October. All of
the companies here are working hard
to get a full complement of 100 men and
three officers before the new uniforms
are issued and the lockers built in the
armory One company took in twenty
seven new men and two re-enlistments
on their return from camp
Gen Last says there is sure to be a
brigade encampment next year. He has
been working steadily since the return
from camp that this might be brought
about and now is very sanguine that his
efforts will be crowned with success.
This will be most welcome news to the
guardsmen in the brigade, as heretofore
brigade camps have been held only once
every three years, and the personnel of
the companies changes greatly in that
time. AS a result, what has been learned
by one body of men has to be taught to
their successors and no advancement is
possible.
In regard to the proposed purchase of
the camping grounds, there are innum-
erable obstacles to be surmounted, and
it will probably be in the far distant fu-
ture before this valuable acquisition to
the property of the guards is a reality.
There has been some talk of using the
government reservation as a camping
ground and erecting barracks, but it is
extremely doubtful if the government
officials will give their consent. This
would make the best camping ground
within short distance of Los Angeles, and
it has the additional recommendation of
being long way from the nearest town,
and-saloon.
The prizes that were won by the diff
ferent companies, as well as those COM
peted for on field day, will be distributed
within the next two weeks
The members of Company of Pasa-
dena were very much surprised and
pleased upon their return from camp,
to find new sixteen-foot flag floating
from the flagpole over the armory. 1t
was the gift of some of their, liberal
minded friends. At their meeting Mon
day night, by unanimous consent, vote
of thanks was rendered to the donors of
this beautiful and timely gift.
A general wedding out of all undesir-
able members seems to have taken hold
of all the companies. Company l. of
Santa Ana gave three of their members
their discharge by vote of company
Other companies will follow suit and
the result will be that all the poor ma
terial will be thrown out and men en-
listed who will take some interest intheir
work. Company L would probably have
gotten away with the competition drill
prize had they not been deficient in the
bsyonet drill. They have takenup this