The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-11-08
THE NATIONAL GUARD.


About one year ago it was announced
that Adjt Gen. Libbey had assured
those members of the national guard
who served In the late war and again re-
entered the national guard after muster
out, that they would be allowed double
time for active service, to be counted
towards retirement and service medals.
There are several who served in the Thir-
teenth Minnesota volunteers, who, if they
were allowed this time, about eighteen
months, would be entitled to twenty
years medals.
When the national guard entered the
volunteer service. all members, including
those who remained at home, were given
an indefinite leave of absence. On the re-
turn of the volunteer regiments, and their
reorganization for the national guard, the
time of the stay at homes, while they had
no duty to perform, was counted the same
as those who were in active service, which
was an injustice to those who had risked
their lives in defense of the nations
honor.
Pressure was brought to bear on Gen.
Libbey to have him issue an order grant
ing double-time service to the volunteers,
and he stated that If precedent could be
established for him to go by, he would
issue such an order. The friends of the
movement cited section lac, article Xxx,
United States army regulations, as prec-
edent. This section provides that all en-
listed men Of the regular or volunteer
army who have served thirty years, may
apply for retirement. Length of service
with the army in the field or with the
navy or marine corps in active service
during the war of the rebellion and actual
service in Cuba, Porto Rico or the Phil
ippines, will be doubled in computing the
time necessary to entitle him to be re-
tired.
1t is earnestly hoped the adjutant gen.
eral will recede from his position and
grant this one small favor, which means
much to the few who would be benefited
by it.
There are many things in the way Of
drill that might be taken up in the ma
tional guard that will prove of great in
terest to the men and be most beneficial
During the annual encampment of the
Wisconsin National Guard each year the
estimating of distances is taken up and
a given point a weight is thrown by the
officer to estimate and three trials are
given, passing it on from the point of
rest, and a percentage figured out from
the three estimates.
During the encampment of the First
regiment last year the chaplain was the
only non-combatant to enter and he won
the prize for attaining the highest per-
centage. which subjected the officers Of
that regiment to much mirth.
Capt j. F. Snow, Company G, First
infantry, this city, recently took up
work with his company which was along
the same line and tends to interest and
steady the men. A squad was lined up
at intervals at "order arms" and ahead
of them at equal intervals were placed
bayonets, three in number In front OF
each man. and several PAGES apart. AT
signal the men ground arms adj
vance and secure the first bayonet, re-
turn, fix and unfiX it to the piece, lay
it down and advance and secure the next
one going through the same performance
with each. The test is finished when the
men have resumed their original position
at order arms. Each man Is timed and
the one doing the work in the least time
xsOI1 i've &c -nln nfn6 For
each man and he is watched very closely.
Capt Snow will continue the exercise
and arrange for the competition for
honors among squads. There are other
ordered by the war department which will
be taken. up later.
It is a more serious matter now than
it was few years ago for man to de-
liberately stay away from drill and offer
no excuse 1t used to mean a discharge
for the good of the service" and was
an easy way for disgruntled member
to sever his connection with the national
guard. Not so now. His willfulness is
now greeted by summons to appear be-
fore the summary court and show cause
for attendance. His excuse is gen
orally good one, and means that he will
be found guilty and fined from SO to $40
and cost Of prosecution; in aggravated
cases he may be imprisoned in the county
Jail for five days without the option of
fine. In default of payment OF fine
the man can be sent to the county Jail
to serve one day for each So of the fire
unpaid AS a result of the workings of
the law the discipline in the national
guard has been greatly strengthened, and
a good soldier never has any cause to
complain.
Especially in st. Paul has it wrought
much benefit, and the attendance at drill
has been greatly increased through the
determination of the officers to make
examples of several of the deliberate Of
tenders who will not attend drill. The
companies are now in excellent condition
and many recruits are being enlisted.
The refusal of the regimental bands
of Chicago to march in the centennial cell
ebration parade because the Marine band,
of Washington a non-union organization,
participated, has resulted in the regi-