The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-13
LOADED FOR STATE GUARD.
SUGGESTS THAT ANYTHING OVER
$4,000 APPRoPRIATION>>Is
NOT NECESSARY.
PRESENT CODE IS TOO LOOSE.
Claimed 1t AIfowsvsuperior officer.
Too Much fatitude-The Dis
charge of DIR. Caine.

a good deal of attention during the
present session Of the state legisla-
ture. The national guard ohcers
have for some time been preparing a
bill, the features of which have already
been printed in the G Lo e, which
contemplates some material changes
in the present military code, which, it
IS claimed, will raise the standard Of
the organization Some of the most
prominent officers of the organization
have had a hand in framing the pro
visions thereof.
Now comes the National Guard Re
form association, made up Of a num-
Der Of the subordinate officers Of the
guard and a number Of former mem
bers, who, for various reasons, have
left the service. They say in a nut
shell: TOO many officers-too much
gold braid-too much pomp and not
enough real soldiery and, finally, too
much money spent for the results OBJ
tanned"
The latter association has also taken
steps to frame a bill, which will also
be submitted to the Solons Among
other things, this bill will provide for
two regiments instead of three. as at
present, with not nearly so many Of
hcers, but nearly as many men; it will
abolish the brigade from top to bottom,
as well as four Judge advocates. four
inspectors Of small-arms practice, and
four commissaries L Provision will be
made for the command of the states
gentlemen soldiers, by giving it to the
senior colonel (Cof. Joseph Bobleter
at presently, and taking it away from a
brigade general fGep. Bend at PRESENT.
the members of the reform association,
pointing out that, even in time of real
war several regiments were frequently
sent out in command Of a senior colo
mel ~ T.
1t is the intention Of the bill to either
properly equip the artillery with guns
calsSons and harness. or abolish the
whole thing. These are only some of
the points. At the meeting above men.
uoned, the members Of the reform
association adopted the annexed res
olutlon, which will give the lines along
which the bill will be drawn m Tba
Dill Itself will probably be presented
~ JIG OC1IdtC mere II is.
WneTeas Inc expenditure of money by the
state OF Minnesota for military purposes
amounts to $60, 900 per annum and the amount
aHoWed by the national government for orr
guard is 81, 844.58; and -. - -.
whereas No part of this sum is spent for
aFmories or for the rent Of the same or for fo1
JanlUors fees or for ia res, or for new artillery
and TT
Whereas, The present organization is very
top-neaVy, and has officers in positions and
NUMBERS lar in excess Of the requirements
or the service, and the said organization is
not passed upon good military principles; and
whereas, The present code is so loose as
10 enable superior officers to evidence petty
spite and to cast odium and slime upon non
orable men. who have faithfully served the
state; be it - -,
Resolved, % That the state appropriation
be reduced to 5000; ~ that the useless and
foolish brigade organization be done awav
WIN! 20 tnat the organization Of the national
guard be made to consist of two regiments of
infantry, each to consist OF three battalions of
four companies each and Differed by a COL
onel lieutenant colonel, major for each bat
talon; an adjutant and uuartermaster each
with rank OF first lieutenant and a cantain
first and second lieutenant to each company
the enlisted men shall consist of five SER
geants. six corporals. two musicians, and not
less than forty nor more than fifty-one pri-
Yates; ~ he
Resolved, Further That unless the state
can provide the battery with proper and mod
eIu equipments, CnaJ the SAID organization be
abolished, as the expense Of 5000 horse money
travelling expenses to- and from camp living
expenses while there, the pay of nine officers;
also, the inspectiong9noIiey allowed together
with the money furnished for clothing equip
ment, is too much, and, is unreasonable for
the handling of four old Misunderstanding
guns, that have in almost every report been
pronounced dangerous and Unfit for service
That we denounce- the attempt of the Ma
tional Guard association1to persuade the leg
islature to raise to the-rank Of captain the
positions Of adjutant land quartermaster.
This is contrary to the organization of the
army of the United States. and is simply an
attempt to enable few individuals to wear
a little more gold.
We denounee the unjust and tyrannical dis
charge OF Lieutenant and Assistant Surgeon
Game, an officer of fifteen years service from
the guards few days sprior.to the organiza-
ton of the medical corps, as provided by
law. Lieut.. Game was recovering from an
accident received in the service of the state,
and without reason of any kind investiga-
ton, fling of charges, OF trial by court mar
tial, he was discharged from the service of
the state in the military service of which he
had long been a faithful and patriotic servant,
and we cite this case to the legislature as
prominent and glazing example of autocracy
in the guard.
Resolved Further That the meeting of the
guard association each year at the expense
of the state is foolish and unnecessary, I'M
productive of any substantial benefit, and the
Reform association advises such officers OF the
guard who desire to increase their military
knowledge to read books written by recog-
MED military authorities instead Of listening
to articles at a great expense to the state,
penned by inexperienced militiamen.
Resolved, Further, That copy of these res
olutions be forwarded to the military commit
tees Of the senate and the house; also, to
these presiding officers of each
The National Guard Reform Association, by
Charles Gamble, President.
Edward A. Miller. Secretary.
NEW MILITARY CODE.