The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-02-15
WANT CAPTAIN JAQUEB TO STAY
Newarkers Oppose the Naval Reserve
BiII.

- an Il44 lAOW
before the Legislature providing for the
abolition of the Office of captain in the
Naval Reserve is attracting much at
throughout the State. The Reserve seems
to have many enemies, mainly because
of the claims of superiority made for its
efficiency and personnel, and the bill
above mentioned is looked upon by those
as not only an effective blow, but also
as the beginning of a still more fierce
attack upon it, aiming at the thorough
Gripping, If not the destruction of it.
Via the Newark member think of
the bill and of their views of it is told by
one of the officers of the local division
"Of course" said he, 1--WE are some
what interested in the bill, but we here
do not think that it will pass. The cap
tain, with the reserve, is the command
ing officer of the whole organization. He
commands the two battalions now in ex-
istence, and such others as might be
formed in time of emergency. He ranks
with a colonel in the National Guard.
The proposition to abolish his Office is
like proposing to put an end to all
~colonelcies in the guard. 1T is for those
above US to protest in the proper place
against the proposition if they see fit. 1
simply state the position OF affairs in or
der that such action as may be taken
may be judged intelligently.
we here do not know what is the
against the Captain. We judge from the
newspaper reports that he has not in
creased his popularity down there by in
s,sting upon a high staidar of canaan
ship. That seems very strange TO us,
for our men have taken a deep and abid-
ing interest in that part of their training,
ana many of them have, in the two years
Of our enlistment, become good sailors,
VINO could serve as UGH with credit any
where.
any spite or jealousy toward us. We
have. gone about our business humbly
and have never given cause for such a
Guard are cordial and frasernal.
Why there should be any desire to see
the organization abolished we are unable
to see dr;na we are drilled and may say,
lery movements, so as to enable ms IL
Cooperate with the National Guard in
training interferes in the Slightest with
our efficiency as a land force.
- see IN a dispatch from Trenton that
some people are talking Of substituting
for the Reserve a military force drilled
as the Reserve is now drilled. Now that
and sna nothing but a change of uniform
very silly. "
IN the same despatch it is stated that
the Reserve being for the defence of the
United States, ought to be SUPPORTED nv
the United states. In the same sense
the NATIONAL Guard is for the protection
fInc lne onited States. yet a request to
would be considered decidedly cool. Far
more absurd is the project of doing the
same IN the case of the New Jersey
States has given ships, cannon and small
arms worth more money than the State
Moalq De asked to appropriate to its sup
we 90 not think that any part of the
defensive force of the State will be abol-
ished by the legislature. The Governor
mas now the Outstanding power, and any
infringement upon his prerogratiye is =
declaration Of lack of confidence in him
me Newark division is rapidly enlist
ing men. and has now a greater strength
OF membership than at any time since IT'S
organization. The division will drill on
board the Portsmouth next Monday
night.
A smoker will be given by the division
in Jacoby's Hall on March 19. There will
be some exhibition drills and a variety
p ppngramme VIII be rendered. A marlin
the Newark sailormen know about knot
ting and splicing will be soon placed in
dne WINDOW Of a Broad street store, in
smoker. A handsome souvenir pro-
ramm showing pictures of officers and
petty officers and also scenes from last
ton.
On February % the battalion ball will
be given in the Quartette Clubs big dane
Ing hall, in Hoboken. Invitations, four to
each, member, were distributed at last
Monday nights drill meeting.
As Captain Jaques has offered to take
200 men to Washington as part of the
escort to Carrot A. Hobart, on March
4, at his own expense, the Battalion Of
the East expects to go. If the Legisla-
ture should abolish the Captaincy, how
ever, the men will have to be content
with reading about the pageant.