Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-02-01
Plan on Foot for an Encampment ia
be Held During the Coming
Summer.
A. N. Anderson, the New Adjutant
General, Gives His views-Judoe
Chead!e Favors Project.

CA"i, 10 d SIiOuS advocate OF the pro
ject, and states that a five day en-
campment could be held at an ex
pense of not more than $1,000. Wheth
er or not the plan will be endorsed
by the law making body is somewhat
uncertain, as there are several mem
bers who are unqualifieuIy opposed &c
the expenditure of $7,Ouv Of the state S
money. in view of the many pressing
needs which will not receive atten.
ton for lack of funds
Judge Cheadle is in favor of the
encampment project, and while in
Helena last week was interviewed by
the Independent on the subject.
Judge CheadIe's Views.
Il think the state quart should have
an encampment this year" said the
judge. mo difference how we'll drill
ed company may be, it needs to
have an effective regiment, the COM
panies must be drilled together in
battalion and in the whole regiment.
We found that out when the First
went to the Philippines. We had
some well drilled companies but we
did not know how to alt collectively
as a battalion or as a l.siment.
State Can Afford 1t.
Il think the state can afford to
spend the sum necessary to give the
boys of the guard an encampment
this year. | would be well if they
could have two weeks in camp, but
one week is better than no encamp-
ment at all. If Montana is going to
have a national guard it should be
good one. Under present condi-
tions. the expenditures made to keep
the companies going do little good III
making the Second regiment effectiv5
as a whole. 1t needs to know how
to act as collective body, and not
as companies. The way to get
good guard is to train the men in
companies, and then as whole in
camp.
Il believe l am voicing the senti.
ment of the old First who went to
the Philippines. and who cannot now
be members of the Second when i
say thAI liiC olt IIlSIl vi lIle i iISt
want the boys of the Second to have
an encampment this year. The state
can afford it, by cutting down some
where else. and not hurting anyone.
The sheriff's mileage, for instance
IF the legislature appropriates the
money for the encampment, | believe
1t should be held at Helena Here
are the stores belonging to the reg
iment. and here is located a regu-
lar army post. The regular army
men would be on hand to criticise, II
their criticisms We're desired, and %
assist if that was requested
Adjutant General Anderson, in dis.
cussing the matter, saiu:
What Anderson Says.
An annual encampment of the
regiment would unquesllonably put
the organization in first-class condi.
ton. The men could be taught more
in one week of actual service life
than in three years of armory drill
The encampment woulu stimulate in
terest in the guard and there would
be no difficulty in at all times main
taing company strength up to the
required standard. This year it is
to have tiNe-day encamp.
ment, just one-half the length pro-
yided for under the code--and the cX-
pense of such an encampment, dc
cOrding to estimates which have been
prepared in the office ol the adjutant
general, would not exceed over ST.
600. The national government gave
this state in arms and equipment dur
ing 1904 almost this amount OF money.
Surely the state should be able to re-
ciprOcate and do its part in maintain
ing the regiment.
In view OF the glorious record made
by the First Montana regiment in the
Philippines, it seems parsimonioGs
and ungrateful for the state to fail
% take care of the Second Regiment,
in great measure, of those
sterling heroes and battle-tried vetrr-
ms who followed the flag of the First
from Manila, through Calico !
IAN. Ma Iona a.d Maiolos to San
and finished the campaign
With the highest honor to themsclve,
md to the grand state from which
hey came.
Regiment Entitled to It.
Il believe it is the sentiment of all
he people of the state that the Sec
bAu TcSiuuSAt Siloulu NC given GA vi
The regiment is entitled
o it. The government of the United
states has recognized me merit of
he national guard. 1t places its faith
n the militia to protect the nation
n time of war 1t gives its funds will
ngly to train the guarusmen. EXper-
ence has proved that the militiaman
n time of war is the nlan behind the
,un.' He must be trained in the art,
however. and Montana. never behind
land in anything which makes for
progress, cannot afford to let her res
nlent of guards go to pieces and be
lisbanded in the interest of an econ
my which does not economic.
Il hope the present legislature will
AXE an interest in the regiment, and
am sure that the fair-minded ana
,atriotic men who compose the ses-
ions membership will 40 everything
hey can for the advancement OF the
Senator Carter Talks.
Senator T. H. Carter is very much
4 favor of the proposed encampment,
nd referring to it, said:
1.-THE national guard of the stale
hould either be disbanded entirely
r provision should be made for a
ate encampment at least biennial
:. The state is now expanding about
5 900 per year for the maintenance
Z the national guard. and the gener-
government is making ample pro-
sion for equipment. The various
,vnnouioS arc said TO have reached