The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-06-28
LARGE ELEMENT OF THE MILITIA
SAID TO FAVOR THAT
MOVE.
USELESS AND UNGRACEFUL.
THOSE ARE SOME OF THE OBJEC-
TIONS THAT ARE URGED
AGAINST 1T.
Respecting Their Abandonment at
the 1897 Camp Looked Upon as
Significant by Many

There is a growing feeling among the
rank and file of the national guardsmen
of this state. not only in the cities,
where most changes and improvements
find their origin. but among the coun-
try companies as we'll, that the present
dress uniform should be done away
with absolutely as an entirely unneces-
sary and cumbersome part of the
equipment of the gentleman soldier.
Acting under the advice Of Capt.
Charles King, the then adjutant gener-
al of Wisconsin, the guardsmen Of
that state gave up their dress uni,
form without the slightest reluctance,
and, if the truth is known, have never
since regretted the change.
North Dakota has discarded it as
useless incumbrance, and in several
other states it is a rusty property
in the company StoreroomS. 1t is
argued by those most strongly opposed
to it's use that the expense of main
tenance, the never ending labor of
keeping it in proper condition and the
ridiculous appearance it gives to under
sized men in the ranks altogether
make the dress uniform serious detri-
uleul 10 .ltlS udllOIldl
Others. who with difficulty reIfnquish
the notion that the guard should be
patterned after the regular army in
every particular, stoutly maintain that
as long as the government troops have
them so long should the militiamen.
But they are forced to admit that the
citizen soldiers cannot be expected to
devote all their leisure time to the care
of their military trappings. The reg
ularS have no business cares to inter
fere with the duties incident to their
chosen vocation, whereas the average
militiaman frequently is obliged to
make serious inroads on his business
time so that military duties which have
deVolVed upon him may be properly
performed. A good illustration OF this
will be the case of the company
quartermaster, who, just before annual
inspection, is kept busy in close, I'M
comfortable quarters for several days
that the property of the company and
state may be put in proper condition.
For this labor the guardsmen receive
no remuneration whatever.
Most of the labor is occasioned by the
dress coat, helmet and the dress belt.
With these taken from the equipment,
the work would be comparatively SIM
pie. Army officers who have had an
opportunity to study the situation have
expressed considerable astonishment
at the very excellent condition in which
they have found the equipment, even
upon ordinary occasions, They are
able to appreciate the difficulties under
which the militiamen labor and due
credit is given them for doing SO well
work which is purely patriotic.
The young men who give so much of
their time to the service of the state
|. cannot be said. to take a selfish view OF
the matter, as there is no question Of
either politics or money involved, and
social influence is not gained to any
appreciate extent, whether the
guardsman be a private or a general.
There is no reason why we should
not look and act like soldiers" is the
comment Of veteran militiaman.
'"These doll-baby outfits that they call
dress uniforms make us look as little
like soldiers as possible Entire free
dom of movement is out of the queS-
ton and the men look and often act
| ridiculous in them. The impression
On the public certainly cannot be in
our favor. 1t is hardly to be supposed
that the officers of the national guard
will look with much favor upon the
proposed adjustment of the same uni
form, but, being sensible and practi-
cal move, it must, in my opinion, event.
ually come. 1t is only necessary for the
governor the adjutant general or even
the brigade commander to cut out the
dress uniform, and the action of the
adjutant general in ordering the Min
nesOta guard to make camp this year
without these useless trappings is sig
nificant."