The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-03-01
GOLD BRAID GOES
Kansas Militia Will Comprise
But One Brigade.
This Does Away With Several
Generalships.
SHOULDERSTRAPS TOO
Major General and Two Briga-
dierS Are Knocked Out.
One Brigade Commander Will
Run the X. n. G..
BOARD CUT DOWN.
Will Consist of Three Members
Instead of Five.
Militiamen Exempt From Pay
ment of Poll Tax.
IL. N. G. Preferred to Regular
Army For Disturbances.

The legislature has passed a bill to
knock out lot of the gold braid and
shoulder straps connected with the
Kansas national guard, the reorganiza-
ton of which is provided for in the
same measure
The bill originated with the senate
committee on military affairs, was
passed by the senate Monday and
passed the house Tuesday.
The measure is now well on it's way
to the executive office for the governors
signature.
For the first time in the history of
! Kansas the Kansas national guard will
be organized upon a sensible basis. The
record of past years shows almost as
many officers disporting in gold braid
as there We're privateS in the ranks
| This new law, so to speak, paralyzes
the gold braid crowd and incorporates
| the entire militia organization of the
state into one brigade.
Heretofore there have been three
brigades. The new law knocks out two
brigadier generals, and, as the heroine
of folk lore once said. "a hull passel OF
braid and straps goes with them.
Then on days of dress parade and in
sDection a major general command
ing has been exhibiting himself to the
giddy girls-the admired of all admired
but the new law sounds taps for him.
Where three brigadier generals have
stalked across the camp, to the music or
their clanking swords. during reunions,
but one is left, and he is to be the COM
mander of the forces in camp and on the
field.
Then again a board of five members,
officially recognized and paid the
state military board" has held quar-
terly sessions and looked wise. The
new law cuts this board down to three
mem erS.
The officers provided for the K. N. G..
are as follows:
One adjutant general, who shall be
chief of staff, one quartermaSter gen.
eral, one paymaster general, and one
judge advocate general, each with the
rank of colonel; three aideS-de- camp,
each with the rank of lieutenant colonel
ane one assistant adjutant general, with
the rank of major.
The judge advocate general shall be
an attorney at law admitted to practice
in the supreme court of the state, and of
a It least five years practice in this state.
The most important feature of the bill
is one which requires that in cases of
outbreaks, or disturbances, where
troops are required. the governor shall
first call the state militia Thereafter
if more troops are needed, the governor
is authorized to call upon the general
government. But the governor must
first use the Kansas troops.
Then there is some inducement offered
to young men to join the militia This
is found in section which contains the
following:
guard shall be exempt from road labor
or poll tax during their term of service,
and the certificate of commissioned
officer shall be sufficient evidence Of
membership and such exemption"
The new law provides that in times Of
peace the Kansas national guard shall
consist of not more than twenty-four
companies of infantry, two batteries Of
light artillery, and for each regiment Of
infantry there may be one band, one
hospital corps, and one signal corps.
Infantry companies and batteries shall
consist of not less than forty nor more
than eighty enlisted men, hospital and
signal corps of not less than eight nor
more than sixteen enlisted men, regi-
mental bands of not less than sixteen
nor more than twenty-four enlisted men.
There may be attached to each regi-
ment of infantry one artillery squad,
consisting of fifteen enlisted men. to OPP
crate a magazine or rapid-fire gun. The
commissioned and nOn-cOmmissioned
officers of said regiments, battalions,
companies, batteries, hospital and signal
corps and bands shall conform to those
| of similar organizations in the army of
the United States, including a battalion
adjutant in infantry, with the rank of
first lieutenant, and a battalion SER
nt