The San Francisco call., 1897-09-06
NOTES FOR THE
NATIONAL GUARD
A Dissatisfied Capitals Ex-
presses Himself Openly
About Camp Budd.
Guardsmen Who Object to a
Very Young Man on the
Major-General's Staff
The Camp of the First at Ukiah and
the Battle of Silhouette
Valley.

Recently there has been dissatisfaction in
the National Guard of the State that
does not tend to make it a harmonious body
and draw young men TO the ranks. officers
and men, in VOCATION of the ethics that
govern military men, have taken to talking
about matters and things connec ed with the
guard, and some of them have not gone be-
hind the bush to give vent to their opinions.
Captsin william Bruce of Company, Sixth
Infantry, located at Stockton, has of late de-
clared that the camp Of the Third Brigade at
Santa Cruz was a decided fai ure, tnat the
men had a good time, but that while that Is
one of the pleasurable parts OF an encamp-
ment, that is, having a good time, 1t Is not
that for which the money was appropriated,
but to impart military instruction. he also
expressed the opinion that there are too many
generals in the guard. His reflections on the
conduct OF the camp at Santa Cruz and his ut
terings about the superior officers, It is
thought, may bring him before a court mar
tial II il does the captain may pOSsi bly, ex-
press himself more fully and give reasons for
his conduct that may arouse the curiosity OF
the people who pay Tor the maintenance OF
the guard.
One topic Of discussion during the week has
been upon the visits of the ma jor- general 10
the several encampments that have been
held. The gist of the discussion was: The
major-general and lis staff came, he saw, he
was rendered a review, and what good did
that accomplish? Did he do anything at
either camp for the advancement or The guard
Did his presence cheer the men on to better
ment in the discharge of their duties" The
ma jor-geueral does not care to discuss Ma
tional Guard matters tor publication, conse-
quently the questions remain unanswered.
But the guardsmen say they could have spent
the time devoted to a review to much better
advantage IN field practice, which would have
given them some idea OF military duty.
Captain Darlington of the United States
Army, who is detailed with the National
Guard of this State as inspector, is pre- epari ng
his reports of the four camps held this year
and, while he has not spoken officially as yet +
he has expressed himself as opposed 10 so
much pleasure as was noticed at some or the
camps. and it is probable that he Will have
something 10 say on that subject in his re-
ports.
There has been considerable murmur OF dis
sa tiSiaction as TO the action OF the mai
general in a recent appointment on his staff
Passing over men who have done duty in the
guard long enough to entltle Them TO service
medals, he appointed a very young man
named Schmitt, one who is still at the univer-
sIty, to the position of major on his II. At
one of the camps this young major passed by q
group of men who have grown gray in the
service, and one OF them asked, "Has 1t come
10 that, that we have to salute mere boy?''
An officer who was standing by, remarked, 1T
is the uniform and the shoulder straps that
YOU have to respect" These men say that
they have no objection TO seeing young men
advance, but in order to advance, they GER
Iainly ought to have experience that is reQul
site to fill stations to which they are advanced
Tney also saw that such appointments deter
young men from joining the ranks, as they dc
not see any chance of promotion.
1t is asserted that in point of excellence, the
camps held this year rank as follows: Santa
Monica, Camp Budd, Camp Macdonald and
CamD Shafter.