The San Francisco call., 1898-04-06
California Naval Reserves and Militia Awaiting
 Orders.
Within Few Hours This State Would Respond With Men and Cash to Call From
 Washington.

event of war California officers anC
 men will acquit themselves to the com plete satisfaction of the State and ma
 tion."
 The office of General Barrett pre- | sents a busy scene, and between thu correspondence and visits of men iron all portions of the State, making in 'quiry as to the state of affairs, the gen eral and his assistants are kent on tn, run day and night. The following let ter is fair sample of the kind that ar'
 being received there now. It is dated at Visalia, is addessed to the adjutant general and is as fellows:
 In the event of war with Spain I desir, a place in the medical department, either as surgeons assistant or hospital nurse
 ELIZABETH R. OSTROM, M. D.
 The power lodged in the Governor as commander-in-c chief of the military and naval forces of the State enables
 him, with the consent of one other member of the State Board of Exam 1ners, to raise any sum of money he may deem necessary for the public de- fense. In fact, the Governor, on his own motion, may exercise that power It IS not necessary to convene the Leg 1slature in extra session; hence the ex- pense ofa asession, which is considera ble may be saved and the money applied tC the equipment of troops.
 In the event of declaration of war tomorrow, the Governor, the Attorney General and the Secretary of State could meet and authorize a deficiency Of $5OO,OO0 to be created. In supreme emergency this allowance might be multiplied, as ne constitution places no restriction on the means to be em- ployed to repel invasion. The unani- rTin Af
 is not required under the law to author ize creation of the deficiency, but the assent of two members is required by the provisions of the general appropria- tlon bill for the maintenance of the State Government
 Whenever an appropriation Is made for the support of any department or institution of the California State Government, and the money so ap- propriated is insufficient for proper maintenance, the head of the depart ment or institution is entitled to make an application to the State Board of Examiners to create deficiency The Board of Examiners makes inquiry as to the merits of the application and in its Judgment may authorize the defi- ciency to be created. An appropriation having been made in the regular man. ner for the support of the National Guard and the Naval Reserve as an or ganization of the Guard, the Governor. as the head of the department, may apply to the Board of Examiners for power to create deficiency.
 In New York, Ohio, Illinois and Iowa and other States it is necessary for the respective Legislatures to be convened and measures of appropriation passed in order to provide money to equip or ganize and purchase supplies for the military forces of the State. The power vested by the constitution and the laws in the chief executive officer of Califor- mia enables him to act promptly and to provide money necessary for placing the troops in the field at the disposal of the general Government. Of course it is well understood and accepted as an established national principle that congress never heSitateS to reimburse a State for money advanced to meet emergencies of this character
 When the National Guard of this State was called out to suppress the tumult growing out of the railroad strike Governor Markham could have called the members of the State Board of Examiners. A resolution could have been adopted authorizing a deficiency, and the money for the expenses of the campaign might have been drawn di- rectlv from the State treasury. Gov ernor Markham preferred that the sup plies should be purchased on a pledge of the States credit and the subject of payment referred to the Legislature. It IS called to mind that the troops ob- tained subsistence and transportation on credit of the State, but excessive prices were charged for all kinds of supplies furnished. The Legislature, when it was convened in regular ses- sion, promptly paid all the demands, among them many extortionate claims. The officers and enlisted men were also paid for the time that they were on duty.
 When 1t becomes necessary to call out the military and naval forces of the State, Governor Budd will pursue a course different from that adopted by Governor Markham. As commander in-chief, he will provide cash directly for the equipment and organization and subsistence of the forces, and get the advantage which the buyer in the mar ket derives from the ability to pay cash. On such requisition, with proper voucher, no dealer would think of charging more than the market price for an article required by the troops.
 Governor Budd has given due con- sideration to the subject of converting the Legislature in extra session. He understands fully that great expense is attached to session of the I,egis- lature apart from the per diem of mem bers and attaches. The cost of light ing, heating and providing service in the building is not small. The expense of printing and binding is great. All things considered, it is regarded as a waste of money to call the members of the Legislature together in extra session to perform the duties which the Governor is authorized by law to exc cute
 Governor Budd is fully apprised as to the condition of the various funds in the State treasury. It is estimated that S1,000,000 could be used without embarrassment to the public service The item of s250,000 appropriated for the debris dams could be used and re- appropriated at the next regular ses. sion.
 Recently the Governor and adiiltant- general went over the field of probable action in calling out the troops of the State. The judgment of the Attorney General has been asked, and it may be said now that California is in position to respond at twelve hours notice, to any demand the President may make for the support of this State in carry- ing out measures of national defense. No State in the Union is in position to