The San Francisco call., 1898-05-01
AN UNPOPULAR APPOINTMENT  An Uproar of Indignation Over Harrison C..
 Otis.
A Born Disorqanizer Who Is Opposed by the National
 Guard.
Few Men of tn 9. State Would Follow His Leadership as Brigadier-
 Gen ral.

There Is an uproar of indignation in the National Guard of California over the rumor from Washington that the President has about decided to appoint Harrison C.. Otis of Los Angeles a brigadier general of volunteers, to command the troops of this State. Of all the men mentioned -or the place, Otis is the most unpopular, and many believe the one least entitled to recog- nition He is no better qualified to lead troops than others whose names have been submitted to the President. Granting that he has a good war rec ord, the same can be said of a thou sand veterans of the Union army of 1861, who have signified in a decent, soldierly style their readiness to serve wherever and in whatever manner their services are [: required. In no sense of: the word Is Otis an organizer. !: His chief function is to disorgan1ze and demoralize.'
 Even If he possessed all the attributes of military genius which he claims for himself his appointment as brigadfer- general to command troops of this State would be most: unfortunate and ill-tfnled. As late as. April 21 he cast sIurs at. the men who. will constitute the main part of the volunteer column from California Tn this paper, the Los Angeles Times, he said:-:
 Where Shall the Veterans Get 1nP>
 if the advices from Washington are correct in the statement given out to the country that the. Government is not going to call for volunteers. except from the National Guardsmen of the various l. AZ I,s eelsel,it is quite apparent that a mistake, and a very: serious: one, is being made at the outset for while the National Guard and:fts officers serve their purpose with fidelity in time of peace, so long as *tf1ere is an experienced and seasoned body of: Soldiery. in the country 1t is manffestly impolftic not to place. this force of war-tried men in position to do effective service in the event of an actual contest. Under the conditions, as they appear to stand, this splendid material men who led companies, battalions. and regiments in the old amry through four years of deadly warfare-is to be com pletely sidetracked, and there is to be sent to the front, in command of the auxiliary to the regular troops officers who are as green as were the callow youths who assisted in inaugurating our: last war with that humiliating fasco known asthe battle of Bull Run. *.
 E When called to account for his reflec- tfons o11= the young men of California who propose to go to the front he in- sisted in= his: paper of April 23, that he made. no= charge whatever upon the
 militia 7 =, *: - =
 Perhaps it is not rood military judg- rnent to allow. volunteers to select their own leaders above the grade of captain
 but it does not follow that a man who starts out by: casting reproaches on his followers should be appointed to lead
 If Otis*Was a splendid discfplinarian, he would discipline himself.
 F.. The young" men of this country will fight. and it. will be the duty of officers to put them in condition to fight. Meth ods of proper discipline in camp will be needed The judoment and military training of soldiers who understand new troops Twill be required to preserve harmony and.diseipline. :. :: "A born rdisorganizer of men ought not to-cornmand the camp
 :.Ofis is quite as much of a bIather-
 slSite* as a veteran: .::-- He would make trouble among our soldiers in the field and at the front would probably want to run things to. suit himself, regard !. less. of: his .superfors. In command of the Los Angeles Times he is: well enough, but as the: commander. of the I California .Nolunteers he would prove a dismal failure: : If he: must be a brig adfer let him command troops of sonle other region; =: Very: few men. in, this State would follow :his leadership. :: = :...: . :':- -----------