The San Francisco call., 1897-11-22
NOTES Of THE
NATIONAL GUARD
Military Documents That
Are Not a Credit to
the State.
A Book of instruction That
Confuses Instead of Enlight-
ems the Guard.
December Will Be a Quiet Month, as
There Will Not Be ANY DrilIs--A
Number of Personal Notes

For some time past the orders issued from
general headquarters have been, not as in the
past, printed, but mime ographed, and as. in
many instances, the work is not done with
due regard to nea:ness, the documents are
anything but presentable and not credit to
the National Guard OF The State or to the Office
that issues them. This is The result OF the
quarrel between the headquarters and the
State printing office.
The Red Book of the National Guard to
which sllusion has already been made in this
department. has been the subject OF consider
able discussion among the members OF the
guard in this city. II is so tull eff incongrui-
ties that those who have to refer to it find
themselves confused and are uncertain how
to proceed in many cases on which the book
if up to date and correct woul1 set them right.
The purpose of the book is in great measure
to keep the officers and men in touch with the
manner of procedure and regul ations Of the
United States army, but that Il does not. "In
its present shape" said one OF the Guardsmcn
a few days since, lit is about as reliable as
would be a cheap edition OF q dictionary with
half OF the words misprinted" The guards
men nope nat some day the commandments
hief VIII order board OF competent officers
TO revise the book and make IL conform 10
changes and laws.
The Legislature az its last held session added
& new section 10 the code which declares what
he duties of the inspector-general and the
brigade inspectors of rifle pre ctice shall be.
That section SAYS that the brigade inspectors
"-hall have supervision of ali matters apper.
tanning to rifle practice within the Ilnllls OF
their respective brigades, under the direction
OF the brigade commander. They shall attend
the competition Tor any prizes tnht may be Oh
fered by rhe State to lhe command to which
they are attached, or that nay be ARA ged
between any OF the companies OF their brig
adeS and see that the same are conducted
with fairness and according o the prescribed
regulations for such competitive matches,
anu report to the lnspector-general OF rifle
practice the result of such competitions, to-
her with the names OF The winners, to-
gether with such suggestions as they may see
fl 10 make"
1t has been q SUI ject of general remark that,
while the law has Ueen in operation Tor many
months, but iitIlt attention has been pad to
ii. ''It is just possible, said a local guards
man, "that, ike the gentlemen who have
recently resigned from the a If oi the division
commander because their business engage
ments would not permit them 10 devote the
necessary time 10 attend o the guard and us
affairs. some OF our brigade inspectors of rife
practice have not the time to attend the com
pc itonS. Ii that is the case, they ought 10
sep down and out and allow those who have
the time and desire TO promote the welfare OF
the guard 10 take their places. There are too
many men IN h. rank who hold the places
for the title and honor, and not enough 10 do
| he active work required OF them.'
The trial b court-martiai OF Captain Charles
A jerks OF Troop A, Cavalry, will soon be at
end. L e testimony is al in, the case has
been argued and to-nig ht all The testimony
that given will, according to law. be read
to the court which will deliberate on its YER
dict and it may possibly reach a conclusio.- -
before adjournment. There is considerable
speculation "a 10 how the court will act in the
matter. In view OF the fact that the captain
in making his defense failed to give any salts
factory exp anation for not obeying the orders
of the president of the board OF inquiry 10 at
| tend before IL, and prod uce certain books it is
generally supposed that that will be looked
upon breach OF military 4 cipline that is
not conducive to The good of the service and
tn severe punishment will be visited on the
offender.
James Smithson. Company c, First Infantry,
and Charles r. Nickerson, First Division
Naval Militia, have applied for exempt certiri-
Gates.
J. NJ McNair, NJ D., and George B. smith,
VI. D., have been reeomme nded for surgeons OF
The Third Division of the Naval Militia.
T. b. Dauar and \. Landon of the First Di-
vision aad j. White Of the Second Division of
the Naval Militia have been assigned TO the
engineer division.
Captain William liott has been reelected
commander OF Company d, Filth Infantry
+. J. Murray has been elected first lieutenant
OF the same company, vice John P Daven-
port and Sergeant Thomas Kerrigan has been
elected second lieutenant OF the company
Jesse J, Adel is before the board for exam1-
nation tor the position OF commissary OF the
Fifth Infantry.