National Guard Encampment Canceled Due to Budget Woes
Legislative underfunding forces the cancellation of the state's annual military encampment, sparking friction between the Adjutant General and brigade commanders.
Within the past week, the last hope of holding a brigade or regimental camp of the National Guard of this state disappeared. The official document in the case was: 'The appropriation made by the legislature at its last session for the support and maintenance of the National Guard of Washington for the year 1893 not being sufficient to meet the regular expenses of the force and the cost incident to an encampment for this year, the annual encampment of the N. G. W. for 1893 must of necessity be dispensed with.' This, of course, leaves the matter of local or company camps entirely open to the men. The real reason why the movement was not carried through was that widespread dissatisfaction is expressed among the guard with the management of general headquarters. Why small requisitions should not be honored for months when stores are on hand, and why pay for service should not be forthcoming until months after it is due? These are among the numerous questions asked every day among guardsmen.
“Military men are remarking upon it as something of a coincidence that the very same month in which the adjutant general calls off the state camp because of lack of money he should go swinging around the circle on an 'inspection' jaunt with a retinue of officers, of course at state expense.”
Budgetary disputes and tensions between state administrative offices and field units are a perennial theme in government management. The National Guard's struggle for resources mirrors current civic debates regarding how state funds are allocated toward essential public services.
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