The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-05-17
1.-THE Melish.n

Now that Adj. billiard has promised Ottawa Il
new stand of breech-loading arms, Company ID
consider it about time to procure, if possible,
dress uniforms, SO rs to present as crcditable an
appearance at home and abroad us possible, in
Justice both to themselves and the city they
represent. TO pile this expense upon the mem
bers in addition to their other company expenses,
is more than the young men feel able to carry;
nor do they like to ask the citizens for Il cent OF
money in the way of direct subscriptions. They
began with the intention of avoiding such STEP
and desire to continue the same plan. As their
late chops" were not pecuniarily successful
enough to build any hopes upon for the future
they are in quandary as to what to do next to
raise necessary funds to buy coats. With these
ideas in mind some one interested in the com
panv suggested that Mayor Nicholson be asked
his views on the matter, limiting to him that an
other drama might be given by the company.
Herewith we give his views on the subject, which
were written by request:
The military company of this city is so closely
connected with the interests OF Ottawa that | do
not think it improper to invite the attention Of
the pnblic to the necessity OF contributing TO
some extent means to aid the company in OBJ
tanning a spectacle uniform. The company is
permanently located in this city, is part OF ii,
and will always be accredited to Ottawa as one
Of her institutions. Our company is well drilled,
under excellent discipline, and is composed Of
the best material We have Il right to feel Il To-
cal pride in Il permanent institution OF this Kind
The services rendered by the members OF this
company are wholly voluntary, without compen-
sation Of any kind aud now that the novelty is
worn or these duties IN attending regularly on
drills etc, are irksomc and laborous, and their
time spent considerable. II can net, therefore,
be expected that the additional expenses of pro
curing their uniforms will be borne by the com
pany alone Other cities, such as Aurora, Rock
ford and Moline have, | learn, done much for
their military companies and contributed largely
by subscription and otherwise in aid Of them fin
ancially. The citizens of Moline, c. g" by sub
scription built for their military company a
handsome and costly armory. OF course, all
these things must be done by the people volun-
tarily, and the aid received depends upon the
| liberality and patriotism of the people. The
company, | understand, needs $500 to purchase
uniform coats for the men, and various ways
have been suggested to raise the money. But it
is understood that there is talent sufficient IN the
company to give dramatic entertainment OF Il
high character. | have therefore recommended
10 some of the officers and members of the COM
pany to prepare and give two or three entertain
ments of the character mentioned, and invite the
public to enjoy a pleasant evenings entertain
ment, and at the same time do handsome thing
for the company, which certainly does much
credit to our city If this plan is adopted by the
company, trust the people will patronize it lib
orally. The company will expect it, and should
not be disappointed. have taken the liberty to
make this appeal, not to be conspicuous, but be-
cause the maintenance of military company IS
certainly matter of public interest to the city of
Ottawa SAMUEL NICHOLSON.
AS the Mayor suggests, there is certainly dra-
matte material enough in the company to pre-
sent a play in good style, as past experience has
shown, and we hope they will adopt the plan
proposed above, believing the people generally
will be Of the Mayors way of { linking.