The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-07-13
the ApJuTANT AND THE CODE.

THE AbJbEANl AND i7G SODE'
The morning paper seeks to fly to
the rescue OF Adjutant General Burlin-
game and attemSs to relieve him OF
his embarrassing attitude toward the
rsslmental line officers, but freely con- /
fesses that il must be admitted that
he stopped to things beneath the dig
Unity Of an OFFICER Of his rank" That's
good. There Is an essential difference
between the regulations Of the regular
army and the national guard OF the
states IN the issuance Of commissions
s>ud assignments to duty. In the for
mer mmss.ons are issued without
regard to regiments. brigades OF COM
4 nands, and assignments either made
f II the time or afterwards as military
4 requirements demand, and relIefs and
. assignments are constantly being
made, while in the latter. and especi-
| illy ia this territory where there Is but
a ne regiment. a different rule must
necessarily obtain and the assignments
ire usually designated in the commits
son. In the very nature OF the case It
q fallacy Of the adjutant general to
contend that the colonel OF ths regi-
nent Is dormant" in time OF peace
pd is not in command Of the regiment.
nd that IL takes a special order"
rom superior authority to revive him
nd delegate" hun TO command it, He
s in command Of it at ali times so long
his commission is alive. unless re-
ieved by superior authority or other
d auae
He can at any and all times, with or
slthout the authority Of the adjutant
enerai or the governor mobilize the
egiment or any portion OF Il for in
truction and tactical maneuyers at
ny given point within the limits OF
he territory. but such mobilization OF
be guard could entail no expense
pom the territory
II the adiutant general win condes-
End 10 recognize the rights and pow
rs Of the line officers and not arrogate
himself duties and powers which
either the law nor military precedent
yes him. there is bright aad useful
lturd awaiting the National Guard Of
slahoma. but to do this he must dis
iade himself Of the idea that the line
Ulcers are dormant" and that il
kes a special order from his wigwam
delegate them into active and real
ilitasy life Under the code Of this
rritory. and under that Of nearly all
le states. il not all, the colonel Of a
giment appoints his regimental stan
al the governor and the adiutant gen
al commissions such as are entitled
commissions under the law. unless
ere be strong military or personal
asons why commissions should not
sue, Il may be true that Colonel
oaman lacked authority to relieve
iptain Highley and appoint another
the command Of company N. but
nbtless had his attention been called
the error Ia proper and courteous
anner he would have met it In the
ME way and courteously corrected IL
4 avoided further friction II. how
er. the allegation. that IN this in
lnce. he exceeded his authority, il
sed ssolely upon the Idea, as stated
the morniag paper, that he was "un
signed that is. not In command d
regiment--the a5surdity q tbs
ing Is at once apparent A. has beer
own he was 10 command. and Is 10
y IN command Of the First regiment
The authority alone Of his commis
and be does not have 70 bs
xened from dormant quies
acy b special order from superior