The San Francisco call., 1897-01-25

The wise men who were sent to Sacra-
mento to make laws for the country seem
to be of the impression that if they cannot
find anything else to do, that it is their
bounden duty to alter the laws governing
the National Guard of the State. No
sooner do the members of the guard get
into a position to appreciate what one
Legislature wanted it TO do before another
Legislature comes along and wants to
undo what the previous one did, and
wants to start anew. This constant tink-
ering with the service will not tend to
raise the standard of the guard for the
reason that the officers lose interest and
the men get disgusted and do not care 10
devote the attention they otherwise would
to duty, for they say What we learn to-
day we may have TO unlearn tomorrow"
If the lawmakers are anxious to render
the guard a service they can do it by let
ting it alone.
The introduction last week of bill hav-
ing for its purpose the Transforming OF the
First Regiment, Second Brigade, into an
artillery regiment has CT eated great stir
in the First. This bill is not the one that
was presented by one directly interested
Pedlar from the southern part of the State.
II is possible that the Senator has kindly
fathered the bill for some one, who, at
this time, does not wish to come forward
and be sponsor for it. Within two weeks
Adjutant-GeneralB Barrett was in this City
and he was strongly opposed to any talk
of transforming the First into an artillery
regiment, but it is stated that within
few days he has changed and Is now in
favor of the project. 1t is strongly sur
missed that Major General James is inter
ested III the movement to make change.
What may be the purpose in view is
not known at this time, but II 1t should be
made it will involve an expense which it
is believed the guard cannot at this time
stand. If it is merely to instruct the men
in artillery tactics they can learn those
just as well when wearing white stripes
as when wearing red ones. There have
been occasions IN the regular army when
the infantry was forced TO famillarlze IL
self with cavalry tactics and do cavalry
duty. When such occasions presented
themselves the officers did not wait for
orders to change the color of the stripes,
but utilized the men OF their respective
commands and converted them into
mounted infantry" notably in Gen
eral Miles Indian campaign.
Some time ago, as appears from the
adiutant's latest report, there was a de-
cided expression OF opinion by the heads
of the guard, including the commander
in-chief, Governor Budd, and the adiu-
tant-general, that there should be no ar
tiLery regiment, and they expressed
themselves as well satisfied with the reor-
ganiZation.
If those who are at the head of the guard
would let politics alone and pay more at
Iention to the actual needs of the guard
and see that the men are instructed in
the duties of the soldier they would do
much TO advance the standard Of the Off
GERS and men. The guard needs lyceums
for officers and men that they may become
familiar with all that is expected of SOL
dier, and the instructions given in each
lyceum should be perfectly the same so
that the guard IN every part OF the State
would be in position to act uniformly.
There should also be lyceums for the COM
missioned and non-com mmIssioned officers
so that each might have an opportunity
to have his duties clearly defined and
not let every individual place his own con-
struction on what he considers he should
do. Regulations looking to more uni
formity in the rank and file would be of
much more service than all the political
pulling that could be done in three
years.
Major Fred S. Pott, aid-de-camp, di-
vision staff has been recommended for
promotion as Northumberland and
division paymaster vice Lieutenant
Colonel Fred +. Follis deceased.
The National Guard will be turned out on
Washington's birthday. The First Regi-
ment, Second Brigade, will on that day
have field day. There will, it is the
idea now, be parade, and march to some
point, where there will be regimental
drill and possibly firing at silhouette tar
geIs and men on the field.
The resignation OF Colonel Macdonald
of the First Regiment Infantry, Second
Brigade, has been officially announced,
and that of Captain Boardmen of the
Signal Corps, Second Brigade, has also
been announced, and both have been &C.
cepted. Now it remains for orders to be
issued for the elections.
Colonel Macdonald in his letter asking
to be placed on the retired list asks that
he may be retired as colonel of the Second
Artillery, and not as colonel of the First
Infantry, which command he held at the
time he resigned. This is looked upon by
guardsmen as a very singular move, but
there Is no one who can explain 1t and the
colonel is out of the State, therefore he
cannot be asked for his reasons.
The Fifth Regiment of infantry, Second
Brigade, has issued a challenge to The
First Regiment Infantry, same brigade,
TO shoot match with rifles 100 men, ten
shots each. The Fifth is waiting to hear
from the First. The arrangement OF de-
tails has been left to Lieutenant Heller,
1. r. P, Fifth Regiment.
Inc C610 tuGI Is 10 D6 u6IQ III
honor OF the victory of the rifle team OF
the First Regiment Infanty, Second Bri-
gade, over the Hawaiian team will in all
probability occur in March.
committee composed of the lieuten-
ants of the several companies of the First
Regiment Infantry, Second Brigade, and
the Junior majors of the regiment have
now in charge plan to organize athletic
sports for the men. 1t Is proposed to
follow the plan that is in operation in the
City of New York and have field days at
different times in the year, ami, in time,
tn organize teams to enter into friendly
contests with the soldiers stationed at the
Presidio. The committee will meet shortly
10 arrange details.
For time it was supposed that Lieu
onnonant for the vacant colonelcy of he
PipR First Regiment, of which he has been vir-
tuaiIy in command since the reorganiza-
ton ton but Major Adolph HUBER. on the re-