davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-26
PATRIOTIC BANQUET Veterans of the California
 Volunteers at Table.

The thirty-seventh annual meeting and banquet of the Society of California Vol unteers took place at the Occidental Hotel last evening.
 Before the festivities commenced a few little business matters were transacted, with the following results: Comrade Sol Cahen, Third California Infantry, was re- tired as president, and was succeeded by Captain Charles w. Gordon. The reason of Comrade Cahen's retirement from the presidency was that he had been elected department commander of the Grand Army, and so could not very well serve in the two positions at once. Major Alfred Martin of the Seventh California Infantry was elected vice-presdent; Benjamin Col lins, Sixth Infantry, second dVice-president; John C. Innes, recording secretary; Cap tain James L. Homer, corresponding sec retary. and Colonel C. Mason Kinne,
 After the business meeting nearly fifty of the companions sat down to their an- nual banquet and enjoyed themselves in their usual way until long after midnight
 "Reminiscences of the past were indulged in and patriotic speeches made by most of those present. After some remarks by the past president he invited Colonel Kinne to act as postmaster. who successively and successfully called upon the following, who responded to the sentiments:
 "The President of the United States" Our Flag" General E. S Solomon; "The Army and Navy of the United States of America" Colonel John c. Currier; "The Society of California Volunteers" Cap tain c. w. Gordon; Our Golden State of California" Hon. Charles A. Sumner; "The Union Dead" Colonel W. R. Smed- berg; "The Guests of the Naton,' $. J. Loop, president Veterans Home.
 Among those present were the follow ing:
 Sol Cahen. Colonel C. Mason Kinne. General E. s. Solomon. Captain H. A. Goyley Colonel J. c. Currier. Colonel J. J. Lyon, Captain John Lafferty, Colonel S. J. Loop Lieutenant Elisha Brooks. Captain James L. Homer Benjamin Collins, Captain Charles A. Sumner Major Alfred Morton Major William McClear. Cap tain C. P: Fairfield, Major William Hawley |. s. A. Captain C. w. Gordon, Colonel W. R Srnedberg, Judge H. C. Dibble Charles H Binn, Captain John H. Gilmore J. J. Scoville Colonel J. B. Moore, Eugene Wiegand T c Mastellar, Major J. H Simpson, Major Lewis Smith, J. C. Jenkins. George B. Holman Can tain J. c. Innes, Lieutenant J. J. Shepherd Major William B. Hooper.
 An additional sentiment was added to the occasion by the fact that just thirty seven years ago yesterday the California. volunteers marched away to the front fulI of youth, strength and patriotism. and last night, as they sat down together. old and gray-headed, to talk over their old campaigning days and fight their battles once again, they did so with a declaration of war-which may plunge the country into another bloody struggle-ringing in their ears.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-26
General Merriam U. s. A., Issues an Order Placing Colonel M. P. Miller Third Artil- lery in Charge of All the Batteries
 and the Mine Field.
Garrison at Fort Point Will Be Re-enforced To-Day by Troops From Angel Island and Fort Mason. Department Commander Leaves for
 Vancouver

against Spain. Our preference is for the front, but We are at your command and will go wherever you order us. Very respectfully
 TOMBSTONE JONES.
 The majors of squadrons are L. E. Mosher, M. L. Starin and J. T. Thompson.
 Colonel Thomas M. Cuff and Lieuten- ants w. 4. Halstead and C. H. Murphy of General Dickinson's staff were at head quarters early in the day.
 Colonels Burgin and Bush were again on duty assisting the adjutant-general.
 It was learned yesterday and was later confirmed by the Governor that he has during the past few days been busy ascer- taining the status and class ot the officers of the National Guaro-that is as to their ability, fitness and whether married or single. The adjutant-general and Captain Darlington have left absolutely no stone unturned to assist the Governor in secur- ing every possible piece of detailed in formation concerning the National Guard that may be of service.
 Lieutenant F. L. Pinkey, Lieutenant E. B. Rabbit of the United States ordnance station at Benicia. Captain w. D. Smythe date of the Indian Staff Corps) and J. R. Gregory M D. Oate assistant surgeon United States Volunteers) were at head quarters.
 All day long there was the same con- tinual stream of callers, who wanted to offer their services. In every instance they were told to file their applications and that they would be considered at the proper time
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-26
WAR INCIDENTS.
A MOtOrman'S Patriotism. Tug Fearless Goes to the Union Iron
 Works.

J. B. Kelly, a motorman on the San Francisco and San Mateo Reailroad. has demonstrated his patriotism and nerve by enlsting in the marines of the United States navy. He has gone to the front to uphold the flag. MT. Kelly is not a na- tive son of California. but is a native son of Roscommon, Ireland.
 Golden City Lodge Mo- 65, Knights of Pythias. has adopted this resolutions:
 Whereas. By action of the Congress of these United States and the proclamation of the President state of exists between this Government and the kingdom of Spain; and whereas. call for volunteers to enlist In the armies of country is momentarily eX- pected to be made; and whereas, many of the members of this lodge. loyal and patriotic citizens may feel dutybound to enlist and may so enlist. leaving their families unpro- tected; therefore be 1t
 Resolved. By Golden City Lodge No 63. Knights of Pythlas. of California that this lodge will aid and protect the families of such of its members as may answer such a call by maintaining their good standing In the lodge and. where necessary, making the monthly payments required Of those holding certificates
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-26
SECOND COUNCIL.
The Governor Collects The formation for the War
 Department.

Governor Budd, Adjutant-General Bar rett, Major-General Dickinson. Brigadier- General Warfield and Captain Darlington held an important conference until quite a late hour last night. At the conclusion of the conference, Governor Budd said: We held the conference for the purpose of considering as to the best method of collecting from the Guard and furnishing the War Department with desired infor- nation. Orders have been issued by which the desired information will be sent to the War Department tomorrow, in addition to that which they have al- ready transmitted to Washington. There was nothing else considered at the con- ference"
 Headquarters will be kept open from now until it is definitely known just what will be done.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-26

subjected to considerable discussion at a conference of the Democratic mem bers of the committee to-day It was first proposed that a tax of per cent should be imposed on all incomes over $4OO0 a year. Mcclellan strongly op- posed this, however, and wanted the tax cut down to ? per cent and ex- emption fixed at s2000 A compromise was finally reached fixing the tax at 3 per cent and the exemption at S2000. State and municipal bonds are to be exempt from this proposed tax. Demo- crats contend that the war should be paid for as far as possible by taxation and not by bonds and that bonds should only be issued when other taxation had been resorted to as far as possible. AS a substitute for certificates of indebted ness some of the Democratic members of the committee, including Bailey, at first proposed to offer an amendment providing for an issue of 00,000,000 in greenbacks. A compromise was reached by which the Democrats will propose to raise $50, 900 by coining the so- called seigniorage on silver bullion now in the treasury and by limiting the is sue of certificates of indebtedness to $50, 600, 900.
 The Ways and Means Committee of the House will report the war revenue bill tomorrow, and it is not expected to pass until late in the week.
 There are two new features. One, which is made section 25, gives author ity for the taxed parties and concerns to meet the increased rates. It fol- lows:
 That every person, firm or corporation who shall have made any contract prior to the passing of this act and without other provision therein for the payment of taxes imposed by law enacted subse- quent thereto, upon articles to be delv cred under such contract, is hereby au thorized and empowered to add to the price thereof so much money as will be equivalent to the tax imposed on said articles by this act, and not previously paid by the vendee, and shall be entitled by virtue hereof to be paid, and to sue for and to recover the same accordingly. In all cases of articles manufactured by another, if the manufacturer shall be re- quired to pay under this act the tax here by imposed, such person or persons so paving the same shall be entitled to col lect the amount thereof of the owner or owners, and shall have lien for the amount thus paid on the produced or manufactured goods.
 The amended bill imposes a tax upon telephone messages as follows:
 For thirty miles or more, where the charge does not exceed 25 cents, cent; where charges exceed 9 cents and do not exceed Sl centS from Sl to S5 cents; fical messages of the United States are exempt from this tax, as well as that on telegraph messages. Owners and oper- ators of long-distance lines are required to report monthly to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue the number of mes sageS during the preceding month of a distance of thirty miles or more for which a charge has been made, together with
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-26
TARGET PRACTICE.
Existing Rules and Re6u- latiOnS Discussed by
 the Inspectors.

Yesterday afternoon there was a meet Ing Of inspectors of rife practice at bri- gade headquarters for the purpose of dis cussing the rules and regulations at this time governing State shoots in California
 There were present: Colonel Park Hen shaw, inspector general on the staff of the commander-in-chief; Lieutenant-Colonel Louis Barrere, inspector on the division staff; Major Hosmer, on the Second Bri- gade staff; Lieutenant Tobin, inspector for the First Infantry, Second Brigade; Lieutenant Pirky, inspector for the Sec ond Regiment, Third Brigade; and Cap tain D. A. Smith, adjutant of the Fifth Infantry, Second Brigade, and acting in- spector for that regiment. Neither the First nor the Third brigade nor the Sixth and Seventh regiments of infantry were represented.
 Colonel Henshaw, who called the meet ing to order, stated that at this, the first and expressed the hope that every one present would express his. view of the rules and regulations, as he desired to obtain all the light possible on the sub- ject. He then called on Captain Smith to tell what he knew.
 Captain Smith stated that there had been very marked falling off in target practice since the existing rules went into operation last June, and he believed one reason was that the men were inhibited from engaging in shoots on Sundays, the only day on which men can face the tar get without great inconvenience. Another reason was that rule which barred men who did not make a certain percentage from shooting at other distances. He also suggested that two months in the year should be set apart-say May and September-when men could, when con- venient, under the supervision of regi- mental officers, fire at the several dis tances. He also suggested that the num- Der of rounds of ammunition should be increased
 All the other inspectors spoke, calling attention to defects in the rules and reg ulations and indorsed the views expressed by the first speaker
 It is probable that radical changes which will prove satisfactory will be
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-26
A COAST PATROL.
Necessity of Such a Sys- tenn Shown to the
 Government.

An effective patrol system for the coast line of California is just now occupying the attention of the local army and navy officers, and the result will be a system of land and sea outposts that will be able to announce the presence of any hostile vessel long before she can get within striking distance of San Francisco.
 The necessity for such 2 patrol was tel graphed in cipher to Washington yester- day, together with an estimate of what such a system would require. It suggests a patrol fleet, plenty of searchlights, both afioat and ashore, and a system of sig nals and telephonic and telegraphic com munication, which will eTectually cover the coast.
 It is not known just what action the Government will take. but 1t is expected that there will be no delay in putting some kind of a patrol in force at once. The lighthouse establishment will be the basis of the coast patrol, and already plans have been prepared to connect the stations by wire as far north as Point Arena. and for cable to tn. Farallon Islands, Each 44ghthouse-keeper will be required to keep lookout over his own vicinity day and night. and nearer in to- ward the city searchlights will be placed to help guard the waters at night Pa trol boats will be in motion up and down the coast all the time, and the coming of a hostile fleet can be signaled from sta ton to station in an increaIbly short space of time.
 In the event of hostilities the aids to navigation all along the coast will sud- denly disappear. Buoys will be taken up, lights will be extinguished and fog sig nals will be silenced, and it will be only the most expert pilot who can take yes sells in and out. This, with the coast pa trol, the Notifications on the heights and the coast defenders in the harbor. will make San Francisco an undesirable place for anything Spanish that floats.
 At the meeting of the executive com mittee of the Chamber of Commerce this afternoon the question of extending cable to the Farallones will be one of the sub- jects brought up for consideration.
 This question has been discussed tima
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-26
MOUNTED MEN.
A Regiment of Southern California Volunteer
 Cavalry.

The scenes around the Governors head quarters yesterday were full of life and animation. At an early hour the promi- nent officers began to gather in anticipa- tion of expected orders from the East, and much speculation was engaged in. One of the most prominent arrivals during the day was that of Lieutenant Colonel H. w Patton of the newly or ganiZed First Regiment Southern Califor- mia Volunteer Cavalry of Los Angeles County. The regiment is composed of twelve troops of 100 men each, and s commanded by Colonel Johnstone Jones. who for many years was adjutant-general of North Carolina. Colonel Patton pre- sented the following resolution to Gov ernor Budd:
 To his Exceency James H. Budd, Governor of California-Slr: l have the honor to re- port to you the organization of the First Regiment, Southern California Volunteer Cav airy and to tender to you through Lieuten- ant Colonel H. w. Patton the services of said regiment in the conflict now being waged
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-26
READY FOR WAR.
Companies of the First In- fantry Awaiting the
 Call for Troops.

The members of Companies c and G of the First Infantry, National Guard of California, after well-attended drill at their armory on Ellis street last night,
 expressed their readiness to respond to the call for State troops when made by Governor Budd. Sixty of the men pres ent volunteered their services without any reservation as to which organiZa- tion they may be assigned. When the members of the two companies were asked what action they would take if the companies were called out in a body they shouted All of us and raised cheer
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-26
upon cheer. making. the armory ring with

upon cheer, making the armory ring with their expressions of enthusiasm.
 The already large roll of the companies was increased by the addition of the names of twenty-one new men, who were sworn in by Captain Sutliff for Company c and Lieutenant Goodell for Company tership were received and the companies have a large emergency roll of men who will be sworn in as soon as the call for active service is made
 The officers of Company G are Captain E. c. Sutliff, First Lieutenant T. w, Sparrowe, Second Lieutenant w. N Swasey; Company c, Captain J. W. Dum- brell. First Lieutenant C. E. Goodell Sec ond Lieutenant L. J. Petty.
 The otftr companies of the regiment, stationed at Cough and Page streets, are awaiting the Governors call for troops before taking official action as to their intention. Both the officers and men, however, express themselves, individually, as being ready to enlist when the time for active service arrives.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-26
Jane IsaacS Arrested.

Jane Isaacs was last night arrested by Detective Anthony and Officer Sylvester on complaint of Annie Japson. Mrs. Isaacs, short time ago, advertised for q girl, and Annie answered. The girl seemed satisfactory, and arrangements were made for the two to go to Sonora, when the girls friends became suspicious as to the character of the woman, and she decided not to go Mrs. Isaacs, how ever, retained possession of the girls be- longings, and a warrant was sworn out petty larceny. The goods have been To- cated in 3 storage warehouse.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-26

and again by the merchants of this city, enlist the attGltion nf the Federal Gov ernment on the proposition, but up to this nothing has been done in the matter Now necessary to have wire stretched to the islands. The cost of this would amount to only about $30,000 a mere bagatelle when compared to the value of the ser vice rendered to this city, even If there was no war trouble
 Commerce alone to San Francisco would JusIitE the heSessiIy or naVltlg ,a1d "1te which stands at the gateway to the Col den Gate
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-26
RAISING THE
 REVENUE TAX An Income Tax to Be One of the Features of the
 War Measure.
Those Whose Incomes Are Less Than Two Thousand
 Year Will Be Exempt.
Other Sources by Which It Is Pro- posed to Vastly Increase the
 Federal Income.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

NEW YORK, April 25.-The Herald,s correspondent says: If the Democratic members of the House Committee on Ways and Means can have their way an income tax is to be made one of the leading features of the war tax bill. This proposed tax was
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-26
Governor Budd Receives the Eagerly Expected Message From the War Department Ask ing Men of This State to Volunteer
 in Their Countrys Cause
Chief Executive, Division Commander and Adjutant- General Hold Councils of War-Governor Estimates That the Whole National Guard May Be
 Called Into the Volunteer Service

required to pass deplete the guard to any extent the re- quired number of men can be readily supplied from the ap- plications of volunteers who are anxious to serve.
 "As to the disposition of the men after they have been mustered into service 1 know nothing, for they then pass beyond my control.
 "The call does not ask for any cavalry, and we have no artillery. In this case l shall supply the men to man the batteries and the Government must furnish the guns. The cavalry will no doubt be the ones who will be turned into artiIlerymen. After the en- tire National Guard has been utilized then, and not until then, will arise the question of enlisting and organizing volunteers. l am empowered to appoint in the volunteer service officers from colonel down 10 lieutenant, but l have not yet considered the question. l have made no appointments, nor will 1 do so until hear from the War Department.
 "The people must under stand that when l call out the National Guard it is done so by arequest, and, in the prac- tical sense of the word, they are also volunteers, and the power of appointing their off cers is mine. We will be pre- pared for war when the Gov ernment's orders come. In October Captain Darlington filed with the War Depart ment a complete report show ing what the National Guard required to entirely equip it for sixty days service, and we also have filed at Los Angeles reports showing what the National Guard had in the way of equipments at that time. About three weeks ago re- ports were filed with the Ad- jutant- General showing abso- Iutely everything necessary to equip the Guard, so lam pre- pared to and have informed the Government exactly what are our needs. l have done all that is required of me and California's troops are ready.
 Under the present call 1t is impossible to use more than half of the officers of the National Guard. l am not prepared to say what dispo- sition will be made of the re- mainder. Until orders are re- ceived from Washington nothing will be done"
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-26
GUILTY OF EXToRTIoN.
Richard Williams, the ex-Chinese Inspector, Convicted on One
 Count

The case of the United States against Richard s. Williams, charged with ex- torting money from Chinese immigrants as a necessary precedent to their being admitted to land. he being at the time Chinese inspector in the service of the Government, was submitted to the jury in the United States District Court yes terday afternoon at eleven minutes after o'clock.
 The opening argument for the Govern ment was made by Deputy United States Attorney Schlesinger, and the argument for the defendant was made by George D. Collins. United States Attorney Foote closed for the Government, and Judge de Haven charged the jury. After being out two hours the jury reported to the court that it was ready with a verdict. Will Hams was found guilty on the first count of the first indictment, which charged him with extorting $100 from Wong Sam for landing Wong Lin Choy, and the yer dict on the second indictment was not guilty The mercy of the court was rec commended. and Williams was ordered into the custody of the Marshal until Saturday. when he will be sentenced.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-26

Important orders were is- sued yesterday by General Merriam, commanding the De- , partment of California. The , orders announce that Colonel M. P. Miller, Third Artillery, is placed in command of all artillery troops, guns and de- , fensive works, and in con- , trol of all war materials in , and about San Francisco har-
 bor.
 Post commanders are di- : rected, while administering a post affairs, to subordinate all , other considerations to meet
 ) the demands of Colonel Mil Ter.
 :. All officers and Govern , ment agents charged with } functions connected with har-
 Dor defense are enjoined to keep in close touch and hearty , cooperation for effective de- , fense at all hours.
 } It was ascertained at the
 Presidio yesterday that the
 } order places Colonel Miller in charge of the entire line of de- : fense, embracing the island
 , batteries as we'll as Lime Point works and the Fort
 , Point fortifications. The nor : tar batteries, the dynamite z guns, torpedoes and submarine . mines are also included.