The San Francisco call., 1897-02-08

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The indications from Sacramento are
that the National Guard Will receive an
appropriation that will enable IL to secure
that which it needs badly, namely, uni
forms, overcoats and blankets, but the
chances for encampments are very slight
as the energy of parties interested ap-
pears to be in the direction of securing an
appropriation for camp sites. If the bill
for sites passes there is but little hope for
an appropriation for encampments.
The bill which was introduced by Sena-
tor Pedlar Will, it is asserted. not trouble
the guard any more in this session, as II
Is claimed that it has been killed in the
military committee; but there are others
and one which IS likely TO meet with favor
In the committee is the one known as the
Cross bill. This is SAID to have some good
features in it and those who are interested
IN the guard have promised to have those
good features retained and have the OBJ
lection bic ones eliminated. This bill,
among other things, aims TO prevent the
possibility of placing at the head indi-
viduals who have not seen service in the
guard, that is GRO Tdlng out politicians
ior men OF experience, men who know
something about the formation of a regi-
ment out OF q column OF fOurs. The bill
increases the number of companies in the
guard from siXty-fve 10 seventy, the ad-
ditional companies to be located where
needed, that matter to be determined
upon a review of the military condition of
the State. 1t adds the brigad ier-general
OF eacn brigade to the board of location
and organization within the brigade
limits. 1t also provides that the ma jor-
general and the brIgadier-geuerals shall
have served four years in the National
Guard before appointment and of that
time to have served two years as fe d
officer. 1t further provides that ali staff
officers must be residents OF the brigade
territory of the brigade to which such
officers are attached.
Further the bill provides that each COM
pany, troop or battery shall be composed
or not less that fifty nor more than 103
officers and privates. There shall he an
annual inspection and muster of the
Guard in the month of March of each
year, and company officers must make out
trlpicate reports to the major general,
brigadier-general and adjutant-general.
The hospital and ambulance corps shall
not exceed SIX men; the present law al
lows not to exceed twelve. a regiment is
10 consist of not less than eight nor more
than twelve companies. TO be divided into
battalions of not les than four companies
TAe new sections regulate rifle practice
and the organization OF a sanitary corps.
section 2094 is amended SO as to 10 away
with Calling guns and permit the intro
duction of artillery. The appropriation of
$4,000 per annum for the promotion of rife
practice is reduced TO $1,000. Certain ap-
propriations for the equipment OF the
brigade signal corps are cut off.
Major Tilden, who has always proved
q friend of the guard, went to Sacra mento
last week, and when before the military
committee discovered that in one OF the
bills was a provision that mem bers OF the
National Guard should not be exempt
from he payment of poll tax. Under the
old constitution it was expressly stipu-
lated that National Guardsmen, or militia
men, as they were formerly called, should
De exempt from the payment OF poll tax,
but The new constitution leaves the mat
ter in doubt as to whether the men should
Jay such tax. The major soon convinced
the committee that IL was a rank injus-
tice to compel men to give their time to
the State without compensation, drill and
be ready to turn out in case OF need at
moments notice, and then pass law
compelling them to pay poll tax. The
clause was stricken from the bill in which
1t had been inserted.
1t is probable that the call for the cleo
ton OF colonel to iii The vacancy caused
by The resignation OF Colonel Macdonald
will be is ued during the week, some time
after the meeting Of the board of officers
on Thursday next.
Colonel Frank V. Sumner has during
the past week declared that although his
name had been mentioned in connection
with the colonelcy OF the First OF the
Second Rriuaho no did " "A he
sidered a candidate tor the place, and
added that he would not accept the re-
sponsi blllty OF the command.
This narrows the mum Der of possibilities
to Colonel Duboce, acting
colonel OF the regiment, and Major Huber.
Tne ir ends OF the acting colonel say that
he has not declared him sell as candidate
for the position, and that with spirit of
independence that is commenda ole, he
viii rot ask for the position, taking the
ground that the office should seek the
man ard not the man the Office. They
claim for him that, as he practically has
been the head OF the regiment from The
time Colonel Macdonald was named, the
officers nave mad an opportunity to de-
termine mis- fitness for the position and
thai if hey desire to retain him in il they
should make the offer and then give him
such a vote as would demonstrate, not by
n mere majority, but by unanimity. conf
dence in his ability.
Next Monday the signal corps of the
Second Brigade, which has been captain
less since the resignation of Captain Board
man, will elect his successor. 1t is very
probable that the election will result in
The unanimous choice of First Lieutenant
Philip J. Perkins.
Companies and (the Nationally will
give a party on the evening OF the 18th
inst.
There is poss bility that Company f,
First Infantry, Second Brigade, may 90
into camp for two days shortly.
There is TO be a battalion shoot next
Sunday.
The Recommendation of the officers of
the Fifth Infantry, Second Brigade,
for camp ovens, has met with favorable
consideration from the military commit
tee at Sacramento, as well as from the Ad-
lutant-General.
The Third Brigade.
SACRAMENTO, CAL, Feb. 5.-Bat-
Ia allon drill in the Third Brigade drew
tull attendance last night. COMPANY G be-