National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-03-07
THE NATIONAL RIFLES.
a Claim that the Company Has Been
1Iisrepresenscd.

10 i' EttHOf ~ Inc i'Spu0ttcnH:
The National Rifles and their friends
claim that they have been totally misrepresented
by some noisy persons in regard TO the position oc
cupied by the few members of that company who
attempted to influence legislation i'll securing
through Congress the privilege of using the grand
Museum building for reception to the visiting
military organizations.
They stale that it is not true that they tried 10
kill OFF in the Senate the concurrent resolution of
the House granting that privilege. Such an event
as the one contemplated in the House concurrent
resolution al such time as this provided the
visiting organizations could wait overill the time
designated, could not be other than one of great
interest to the military of the whole country. The
National Museum building was erected by the
Government for the public use of the people of the
whole country, and it certainly should
never be used in narrow or selfish
manner The military of the District of Columbia
were all doing all in their power and spending
their money freely to make the inaugural eere-
monies this year an unparalleled success. No one
organization had anything 10 claim over another
in that respect, and there were no differences or
antagonisms in regard TO this. All worked with
will to that end and how successfully they abored
will be attested by the great number of mill
taTy organizations that visited Washington dur
ing inaugural week. 1t was plain and undeniable
that all of the militia ofthe District had the right
to ask 10 have that concurrent resolution so
changed as to include the whole of the militia in
dispensing the Inequalities of the city; in other
words. TO have the National Museum building used
in the name of the military of the District which
was doing so much in receiving and entertaining
the visiting organizations. To that end it was
suggested Senator Logan that the title OF the
current resolution should be changed to includethe
military of the District OF Columbia This was
done IN good faith. 1t is the merest folly to say
that the other companies should have asked the
Washington Light Infantry for the privilege of
participating with it in securing the legislation.
The first that was known b. the other military
companies of the District of this matter was the
passage by the House of the resolution. It was
then too late even if proper self-respect had not
forbidden, to take any course but so to the Senate
and ask to have the title changed
The National Rifles emphatically deny that they
used, or attempted to use, any influence TO defeat
The measure in the Senate. Senator Hoar, before
a word had been said by Senator Logan or any
other Senator on this subject asked to have the
resolution referred to the Committee on Public
Buildings and Grounds. The Congressional Record
gives the history of the action in the Senate as fol-
lows:
Mr. Hoar-I iise to ask unanimous consent that
the resolution Just sent over from the House relating
to the ola certain public building for the inau
guration ceremonies may be referred to the Com
mittee Oh Public Buildings and Grounds.
Mr.. LOgan-With that reference ask to have re-
ferred an amendment to strike out the words
Light Infantry of the District of Columbia" and
insert military organizations of the District of
Columbia" and hope the committee will give it
The Presiding Ohicer-The Chair will lay before
the Senate the concurrent resolution of the House
of Representatives.
The resolution was read. as follows:
Resolred By the House OF Representatives., (e Senate
concurriRg That permission is granted TO the Wash
ington Light Infantry Corps of the District of Co
lumbia 10 use the Museum building on Monday
evening, the It'll of March, 1851, provided that no
expense shall De thereby incurred TO the United
States.
The Presiding Oficer-The Senator from Massa-
cllusetts moves the reference of the resolution to
the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds,
and the Senator from Illinois proposes au amend
ment, which he asks to be referred with it. Is
there objection" The Chair hears none, aud it is
so ordered.
The action was unanimous. There was not one
objection to either proposition.
Senator uoar, who first called up the question in
the Senate, evidently made his proposition to refer
to the committee in order TO kill the resolution,
but he took that action without suggestion from
any one connected with the National Rifles Nei-
ther did the Rifles attempt TO the slightest in
ftIence with the committee, either to kill the reso-
luton or have the title changed. They rested
their case when they asked Senator Logan
to have the title changed, and they were
greatly surprised at the action OF
Senator Hoar, and were more surprised when the
committee reported adversely on the whole thing
The National Rifles regret the failure of the resolu
ton, and while cheerfully making this acknowl-
edgneGt they well knew that their action had
nothing to do with is defeat The action against
it was unanimous. Senator Hoar led Off in the
matter. and had Senator Logan kept his seat and
said not word the result would have been the
same. Excepting on the part of Senator
Logan, there was not the slightest diSpo-
stion TO let that resolution pass the Senate.
Senator Logan acted for the whole of the mill
tary OF the District of Columbia and he had 10
design desire TO kill off the resolution anything
that may be said TO The contrary notwithstanding.
He however. never stands idly by and witnesses
special legislation for the few in discrimination
against the many, and he always raises his voice
in behalf of the citizen when their inter
c,ts are ut stake.
The strictest scrutiny into this matter Will bear
out the foregoing statement, and the National
Rifles desire it to be made while the Senators are
i'll the city, that if incorrect they may put the
stamp of their condemnation upon it.
One thing further. The National Rifles discIaim
any feeling of hostility TO the Washington Light
Infantry. They wish it well, and hope that it may
long continue 20 wear the high name it has so de-
servcdly won for excellence in drill and soldierly
bearing The members Of the Infantry will attest
that the Rifles have never given entertainment
without extending complimentary invitations to
various officers and members Of the old Organiza-
ton, many of which invitations have been ac-
cepted by The recipients.
1t would be great pity if the District of Column
ba could not well support dozen such military
organizations as the Washington Light Infantry,
and have no other feeling animate them than
friendly and generous spirit Of rivalry, each to
excel the others. j.. P.B.