The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-10-17

NATIONAL GUARD
MUCH imp PR0VED
Governor Ferguson CompIi-
ments the Miitia'S Progress
BEST ENCAMPMENT HELD
Members Take a Warm Inter-
est in Their Work.
BEST ENCAMPMENT HELD

Guthrie. o. r, Oct 16.-'There has been
. marked inoprovenent in the Oklahoma
National Guard during the past year
said Governor Ferguson today, "and II
"a particularly noticeable at the ercamp-
ment just ending 1 consider the Guthrie
eucampment the best encampment ever
held in Oklahoma, and il is especially for-
tupate that a regular army officer couio
he with the nnilitiamen. The parade yes
terday was a splendid affair and nave
heard many compliments from citizens
of Guthrie and others who were on the
streets.
Il notice. TOO" continued the governor,
chat the members Of the Guard take an
interest in the work being done, and this
is an indication that the organization is
a success in every respect.
Governor Ferguson is conmander-ln-
chief of the Guard and has often visited
Camp Logan where he has been cordially
received by the militiamen.
Today concluded the annual encamp-
inert Of the National Guard, the event OF
interest being the competitive drill' the
prizes being won as follows:
First prize. Company X, Enid
Secondsprize, Company e, Chandler.
Third prize, Company NJ, Oklahoma
City.
The prizes amounted to $500 and despite
the financial matter, the rivalry was IN
tense. Many Guthrie citizens were at
the camp early today to witness the drill
and thesoldiers were cheered. Many or
the officers leave for their homes this al
trnoon and tonight and by tomorrow al
ternoon the camp viii be deserted. 1t has
been popular place during the week and
has afforded many persons an opportunity
TO witness military operations.
1t is the concensus of opinion of persons
competent to judge that the Oklahoma
National Guard is up TO the standard or
similar organizations in eastern states.
Owing to the fact that Oklahoma is yet
a territory this is generally not believed
to be the case. There are. men differing
the Guard who have seen actual service
on the field and who know what soldier
ing means With such officers, all being
men who take an interest in military af-
fairs, it is reasonable that the Oklahoma
organization should take rank with the
Guard Of adjoining states. 1t is possible
that the length of the encampment Is
not sufficient TO insure proper training.
but this may be remedied in the future
by larger appropriations.
Whether criticism of legislatures may
be proper or not, yet it is unfortunate
that the legislative bodies in Oklahoma
have not seen fit to appropriate enough
money TO place the Guard on a basis
where better equipment could be Sc
cured The territory has the material for
a guard that cannot be outclassed by
states. All that is needed is the equip
ment. and il is up TO the territory TO fur
nish the same. Last year there were
bills introduced 10 relieve the conditions
which have existed for a number Of years
and men who supposed they were doing
The right thinS voted against the bills,
thus allowing the Guard to remain on the
same plane for another two years.
The average citizen, unless he witnesses
The rnaneuvers of the Guard, does not re-
alize what it means. He has the impres
ston that it is the tin soldier pure and
simple. Attendance at an encampment
IS really hard work, and with the interest
shown by the militiamen as is usual in
the Oklahoma encampments the citizens
secure a very different idea OF what sol
diering means. and are afterward friendly
toward the Guard.
The militia boys made a hit in yester-
days parade through the streets of Guth-
RE. and it was the first time that the cit
izens of the city had an opportunity to
see the Guard. except by going to Camp
logan The companies filled up the
streets and the hundreds of people who
congregated to witness the parade did not
hesitate to cheer when an occasion pre-
sented itself
Colonel Roy Hoffman of Chandler who
has been in command of the Guard is pop
ular with every member OF the organiza-
tien. The militiamen state that he is an
Ideal commander and that if they are
ever called out he must be in charge OF
them. Colonel Hoffman's quarters at
Camp Logan were open 10 visitors and
the constant stream OF persons going
there proves the popularity of the colonel.
Major H. l.. Ripley CT the Eighth United
States cavalry. who was here during the
enesnpment. is very highly spoken of by
officers and men. In the resolution adopt-
ed by the officers it is asked that Major
Ripley be sent to the enc2mpment next
year.
The resolutions adopted today are as
follows:
With the close Of another annual en-
campmeRt the officers Of the Oklahoma
National Guard. while renewing their
pledges Of fidelity and loyalty to the COM
monwealth and nation whose service is
10 them both a privilege ard an honor.
desire TO give expression To the following
sentiments:
Resolved. that we heartily approve az
the enactment Of the new natioaai mill
tiS law under the operations Of which We
oeiieFe the militia system OF the states
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