The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-11
National Guard of Utah.


Naturally enough the large draft
upon the national guard of the state
of members who enlisted in the war
with Spain and the loss of equipment
incident thereto have combined to deci-
mate the ranks and detract from the
efficiency of the remaining orSaniZa-
lions. The ordnance furnished by the
state to the United States for the two
batteries was of a modern and superior
character, being eight 3.2-inch guns of
the model of $780, and undoubtedly the
effective work done by them before
Manila was largely due to their ex-
cellent equipment. 1t has been prom
ised by the chief of ordnance that this
same class of ordnance Git is hoped the
identical guns) VIII be returned to the
state as soon as practicable. Until this
equipment and other equipment ar
rives and until the return of the vol
unteers, who, ii is hoped. will take an
active interest IN the national guard
and whose experience Will be of vast
advantage to the various organizations,
it has not been thought advisable to re-
habilitate the guard. This work. how
ever, may be proceeded with as soon as
the necessary appropriation for main
tenance is made for the ensuing bien-
NAL term. The constitution of the
state requires that the legislature shall
equipment and discipline of the militia.
If such were not the case. the experi-
ence of the last year has demonstrated
the need of maintaining this important
organization. The training which its
members receive. both men and off,
GERS. not only inculcates patriotism. but
euuips them for such active service as
the exigencies OF the nation or the state
may demand. In many of the states
the national guard has been used to
suppress instructions and mob vio-
lence. and though the reputation of the
people of Utah is peace-loving. IL is
prudent policy for each state to keep
in constant readiness for action a we'll
equipped and well-trained national
guard.
More than all the rest of their train
ing put together, an annual encamp-
nlent is needed, and / sincerely hone
provision will be made therefor for
each of the ensuing two years. The
adjutant generals report. which is eN-
ceedingly interesting and complete. IN
addition to the annual encamDment.
asks that a suitable armory be built
for the accommodation of the guard
and the care of its valuable property:
also a magazine for the storage of am
munition. and that a tract of state land.
centrally located. be set apart for en-
campment purposes. etc. His requests
are moderate and should be supplied.
Irrigation.
Unmistakable progress has been made
in irrigation matters in the past two
years The last legislature provided
some new and wholesome laws on the
subject which it is believed have
proven at once helpful. instructive and
beneficial TO the people. The creation
of the Office of state engineer and
charging him with a general oversight
of these interests was a step in the
right direction. The people have had
the benefit OF consulting engineering ad-
vice free of charge; various plans and
specifications of dams for reservoirs
have been submitted to his flee and
approved; and for the benefit OF dam
builders and for the sake of securing
uniformity in planf and specifications