The Portland daily press., 1884-02-08
THE MILITIA.
What fhe Several PoraIa md Companies
Are Doing bis Winfer--Light attend
ance Mt DriiIs-Schemes of Amusement
md Profit.

ance Mt DriiIs-Schemes of Amusement
nnd Profit.
For several years past there has been much
interest in military affairs all over the State.
Like everything else it has ''iti ups and
down7." All say that in point of attendance
on drills the present season is unusually dull.
Dancing, skating Kinks and various other
amusements take the militia away from the
armories. Moreover there ia comparatively
little peeuniary aid given by the State, and
the citizen soldier is somewhat indifferent.
The following points regarding the present
condition of the companies aud their work
have been gathered:
PORTLAND LIGHT INFANTRY.
Co. A, or captain Norton's company
cortland Light Infar try)." as Lieutenant Tot
ten terms it. is doing nothing special in the
way of enterprise but is constantly recruiting.
For The present this company has no scraok
squad" although at its semi-monthly drills
there is good attendance. About three
months ago library was started al the armory
for the Use of the members. A book case was
made, large enough, it was thought, for its
coming contents; but now it ia. completely
filled.
The books which have been donated by the
members and friends are all of good tone.
There are about seventy volumes in all, ex-
elusive of many popular magazines of the
day. Among thu contributo are N. d. Fes-
sender, the news dealer; Messrs. Elwell and
Pckard of tn Transcript, Mr.. James Bsr-
brick Mr. j. W. Dodge, Quartermaster Perry
and City Clerk Bslrgess. The company tkes
the Army and Navy journal. According to
the drill report of the last quarter it stood very
high.
Lieutenant Dow is 10 represent the company
at the grand ball Of the Worcester Light r.
fantry, which takes place tonight
PORTLAND MECHANIC BLUES.
The regular drill nights of this company ere
on the first and third Wednesdays of each
month. For some time they have been with
out first lieateDant. At present no extra
drilling is goiGg on, but the boys who are to
take psrt in the burlesque drill, which is to
come off later in City Hall, are rehearsing
their parts and the n Mise of the base drum and
horn are heard nearly every evening in the
drill hall.
PORTLAND MONTGOMERY GUARDS.
This company is we'll res cect ted by all the
military circles in the State, and should be
locked upon with special favor, from the fact
that they are able to put thirty-tw,o well-driled
men upon an exhibition floor. 1t is ur-
derstood that they are commencing, fund for
a new company uniform. The ''boys' are now
drilling extra in preparation for a graz d time
in the spring. Their financial standing is
ga No. l."
BROWN LIGHT ARTILLERY.
The Battery apparently is doing nothing,
either in the way of drilling or civil business,
and the drill report OF the last quarter makes
its percentage very low.
PORTLAND CA DIETS.
This company which, in the past, has had
such brilliant military career, is now in
point of attendance, somewhat slack, having
held no drills since the December ball. How
ever they are only taking brief vacation.
They have an amusement committee which
consists of Captain Winslow. Sergeant East
man, Privates Frye and Williams and one
other. This committee. which is ever on the
alert for some successful scheme. has done
great deal for the company as regards finances
They look after business interests sharply.
PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL CADETS.
This is the youngest company in the city
though not the least enteTprisiDg. The COM
pany drills two or three times O. week. For
the past few months there has been mach talk
of getting new nuifo. ms and 10 Is proposed to
give series OF exhibition drills 10 help along
the fund Tue annual ball will be given prob
ably about ihe ffst Of March, aud The Ports
mouth Cavalry may be asked 10 participate
The company Las lsteIyLDurchased desk for
its secretary, a table for it's chairman and a
large case for its prizes.