The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-06-24
CHANCE TO SAVE GUARD.

IF the men who control the govern
ment of Utah can be brought to con-
slider anything except political ex-
pedieuCy. the present condition OF the
national guard offers a splendid OppOr-
tunitv for them 10 undo some of the
mischief their craftsmanship has
wrought Prompt action, taken with
the single view of best serving the in
rerpets of the state. is necessary to
avert the humiliation which now
threatens the states military organiza-
ton.
This does not mean that existing
vacancies should be filed by the ap-
pointInent of Democrats or Republicans.
There has been too much of that policy
already Political considerations should
he overlooked and merit alone be al
lowed TO govern in making selections.
There is no lack Of suitable material.
The state contains dozens of former
volunteer soldiers and experienced
Cuardsmen who could be prevailed upon
10 attempt the work of reorganization
if they we're guaranteed the freedom of
action necessary to the successful car
Tying out OF their plans It Is the lack
of this assurance that prevents capable
men from volunteering their services at
this crisis. Men who have the interests
Of the guard at heart and who would
willingly make sacrifices to rehabilitate
the organiza ton shrink from the almost
certain failure that confronts anyone
Who undertakes the task in the face
Of existing conditions
There is no disposition on the part of
any good citizen of Utah TO add to the
existing trouble OF 10 embarrass any
ono who attempts to solve the problem
The people of Utah would view the dis
handing of the guard as nothing short
of a disgrace to the state But il IS
useless to attempt to gloss over the
situation or 20 deny it is due to the per
nicious work of politicians. This politi-
cal factor must be removed before the
guard can be restored to effectiveness
The politicians have already lost to
the guard the government apprOpria-
tion of $4,000 that would have been
available this year had the affairs Of
the organization been properly ad-
IuinisteTed. A total enrolment of not
less than 300 men was necessary to Sc
cure the money. The work Of re-
cruiting was proceeding satisfactorily
and the minor officers were working en-
Enthusiastically to build UP their orgdni-
zatious when the trouble started and
their efforts were uuIIfed. The dis
handing of the guard means the col
lapse of negotiations now under way
for the erection of an armory provided
for by the last Legislature. At present
the national guard of Utah has an
equipment surpassed by no military
organization in the country. not except
ing the regular army. As d matter Of
fact, the troops al Fort Douglas have
on occasion borrowed part of the
equipment OF the national guard bat
terry to supplement the equipment sup
piled to the regular batteries at the
post. The field guns now in the posses
sion of the guard are Of the latest pat
tern and the new small arms have
been in the hands OF the Utah militia
for several years. It is not 10 be doubted
that if the militia disbands the gov
crnment viii soon take back all gov
eminent supplies allotted 10 the Utah
national guard and turn them over to
states that viii put them to use. This
means that when the guard IS revived
in Utah, as it viii be some day, a new
start must be made with years of wait
ing before the present splendid equip
naent can be equaled.
The constitution of the United States
saws, "a well regulated militia is ueces-
sary to the security of a free state"
The question is up to the Republican
machine.