The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-29
NATIONAL GUARD.

A bill introduced in the legislature
last Tuesday amending the military
code SO that any field or general officer
who has served ten years must be re-
elected, seems to have stirred up quite
sensation in the daily press. The
bill, If 1t passes, will prove an excel
lent piece of legislation for the ma
ttonal guard and VIII cause officers who
are affected by it to take greater in
terest in the work of their battalions
and regiments. The one feature
about the bill that is objected to by
national guardsmen is that it does
not provide for elections every five
years instead of ten. Wisconsin has
a law that vacates any field commits
sion after five years service, and it
gives excellent satisfaction to ALL The
bill which is now before the legislature
was drawn up six years ago, but was
withheld. 1t was feared 1t would stir
up a hornets nest, but those who had
charge of the legislation decided to
brave the storm and put 1t through
at this time. There viii only be six
officers affected If the bill becomes
law. They are all good officers and
will undoubtedly be re- elected. The bill
was not drawn up for the purpose of
affecting one man, as the papers state
the brigade communication w. 3.
Bend, and electing Col. Joseph Bob
command of the brigade.
If this was desired it would be much
better to do away with the brigade or
ganiZation entirely, as our sister states
have done, and then by virtue Of his
being senior colonel, Col Bobleter
would be in command of the brigade.
The officers who would be affected
are: Gen. William B. Bend, who was
commissioned Jan. II, 1892; Col. c. Nc.
Reeve, First regiment, who received his
commission Jan. 81, 1892: Col. Josenh
Bobleter, Second regiment, commits
stoned Feb. 81, 1893; Lieut.. Col. c. z,
johnson, Third regiment, Mankato.
commissioned Feb. 10, 1898; Lieut.. Col
G. w. Mead, Second regiment. Manka-
TO, commissioned June "a, 1885, and
Maj. A. w. Wright, Second regiment,
Austin, commissioned May 26, 1893,
Most of these officers are in favor of
the bill as it stands, and will work for
its passage. Anything is possible. Any
officer who is popular and well fitted
for the commission he holds will be
reelected, and that is what the law
is for, to impress on the mind that the
elevation to commission in the field
does not carry with 1t a cumpulsorv
superannuity. The bill does NOT affect
the officers of the line
1t was unanimously indorsed bv both
the senate and house committees on
military affairs.
A bill has been introduced in tho
legislature to give to Private Cutter
Co. C-13, Duluth, $1,000. Private Cutter
was preparing for guard mounting one
morning during camp, when a com
panion sitting near by accidentally ex-
ploded q blank cartridge which had
become lodged in the chamber of the
piece. An ugly wound in the leg lust
below the knee was the result, and It
was feared amputation would be neces-
sary. He has spent most of the time
In the hospital since returning from
camp.
Another bill provides for the appro-
priation of $4,000 for the purpose of
compiling history of the Minnesota
regiments in the late war. It will take
some time to get this in readiness. and
then it will be published In book form.
Two volumes have already been pub
hshed dealing with Minnesota troops
In the Civil and Indian wars, and this
will appear as volume 3.
Maj. c. w. Fisher.
One of the most faithful men I'm the
od1ce Of EAe ad5utant general for the