The herald., 1898-05-12
POMONA FEELS BETTER
WHY so MANY OF HER SOLDIERS
WERE hEJECTED
y Heeaing That the Standard of the
National Guard Must Be
Raised

r
POMONA. Cal. May 1.-THE following Il
the reply received from Governor Budd Ii
regard to the Officers OF Company D:
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL, May 10.-Geo. W
Hill, Pomona, CAL: Regret feeling. All Po.
mona officers. first sergeant and large mum
her OF men failed in physical examination
and could not have been thoroughly ey.
umined prior to coming here On failure ol
cfficers and flrst sergeant to pass examina-
ton, Colonel Berry of the Seventh regi-
meft and General Last of Los Angeles Sc
lected competent experienced officers as
they would not jeopardixe company by Sc
lccting persons inexperienced to command.
Company and officers mustered into United
States service before protest recorded.
(signed) JAMES A. BUDD. Governor.
The following telegram was also received
from Hon. s. N. Androus and explains
matters somewhat:
SAN FRANCISCO. May 10-Progress:
Pomona people are evidently laboring un-
der misapprehaAsion. Nothing has been
done at which exception can be taken. All
the officers Of the company as well as a
good many Of the enlisted men failed to
pass the board Of examining surgeons. This
necesuftated the appointment of other Of
ficers who were selected by General Last
and Colonel Berry. Governor only approved
their selections. What has been done was
for the best interests Of the company. Pro-
tests therefore without grounds, besides
being too late, as company is now mustered
Into United States service. Colonel Nelch
has been appointed major Of third battalion.
(Signed) 8. N. ANDROUS.
The feeling among our citizeps now is for
= radical reform in the formation of the
National Guards. They express themselves
a. bitterly opposed to the organizations
being made q dress parade affair merely
and want the various companies main
tanned on strictly military principles and
ever ready to enter actual service without
being torn to pieces through the physical
disabilities of its members In time of need
The severest criticism comes from the tax
payers who strenuously object to paying
money to maintain regiments unfit to bear
the hardships OF actual warfare. There is
universal approval of the statement made
by General Last In regard to stricter regu-
lations and the requiring of medical exam
nations. The general will receive the
united and hearty support of Pomona in his
efforts in this regard.
Colonel, now Major W. o. welch, is COM
ing in for his share of criticism in regard TO
the troubles Of Company D. One ex-mem-
Der stating very emphatically that the ma
jor has used this company as a cats paw
ever since he was its captain. The state
ment is made that Welch knew Of the
physical disability of Thomas and was 10
take his CThomasO place as captain. but
vashop mo
Welch pulled the wires and left the home
company in the lurch. The boys who were
left at home, however, say that under the
circumstances Colonel Berry selected two
good men in Matthews and Eason, both
being well known to the older members and
popular in past encampments. One great
drawback. 1t is claimed, is in the fact that
when the boys return here we will have lots
Of fine soldiers but no officers and Pomona
will thereby have to take back seat in
military matters for some time to come.
The home guards drilled last night and
as the armory was too small had to adjourn
to the street. ]. e. Packard presented the
old Mckinley club colors to the company,
saying a lot of things about the Mckinley
club and victory and partisanship and nom
partisanship that he didn't intend to say
and seeing that he hadn't said what he
meant to say made little better second
attempt. 1t was fine play to the galleries
from o Republican standpoint.
What Is left OF Company D attended reg
ular drill last night, but the boys looked
more like band of lost sheep than a conf
pany Of soldiers. The total armament was
one bayonet and that, too, left by mistake.
Pomona college has military company
composed of about fifty students who will
drill every evening.
The annual election of officers for South
ern California coma ndery No. 81, K. T.,
comes on tomorrow night.
The orchardists north OF the Santa Ee
railroad say they have nearly full crop
of apricots and peaches but not more than
half crop of prunes.
Hay cutting is now in progress but i'm
provised attachments have had to be re-
sorted to. working on the principle of the
canvas usually attached to lawn mowers,
thus saving practically every straw.
The alfalfa crops throughout the valley
are good.