Evening star., 1886-11-13


TO he oFFERED-THE GUARANTEES FUND ALI.
sUBsCRIBED-THE OBJECTS OF THE DRILL,
ETC
The national drfr and encampment, 20 be held
in Washington during the last week in May,
promises to be decided success. The three prin-
cpal requirements are assured,-the funds for
meeting the expenses, the participation ofmili-
tia organizations and the constantly growing
interest in the community. These competitive
drills are not a new idea Numbers of them have
been held in the southwest, west and northwest
and have invariably proved successful. These
have been mostly confined TO local and inter-
state drills. Nothing OF he kind has been he Id
in the east. The idea OF holding national drill
at the national capital originated last Srptem-
ber with Commissioner ;. T. Wheatey. Ne
saw ti.e success attending these gatherings
elsewhere and made up his mind that such a
thing would be good idea tor Washing ton
After talking with a number of prominent citi-
zens about the matter, and finding that they
fell in with the PROJECT. he invited MIR L. C. De
Leon tn visit Washington and gfve a general
idea OF results attending these drills esew here.
Mr.. De Leon is regarded ex pert in such
matters having managed the large drill at Mo
bile, the oriole al Baltimore and the bi-ceuten-
nial at Albany. He gave such a gratifying ex-
hibit in regard TO these projects and showed
how successful a national drill here might be
made, .han me ne, u0nen T,s & OF more citizens who
only necessary TO hold one two public meet
ings before the matter began TO lake definite
ahead
THE GUARANTEE FUND.
1t was estimated that the fund necessary to
guarantee success should amount to $50, 900.
The way in which subscriptions poured i'm
astonished even the most enthusiastic promot-
ers of the enterprise. Heretofore the largest
public subscription ever made for anything of
the kind was S2:S, 900 Tor the Cleveland inaugu-
ration. In a very short time the $4,000 neces-
sary for the national drill was all subscribed.
On the 1st of January One-halG of the amounts
subscribed must be paid in and tine $4,000
will be deposited in bank a guarantee iund,
while the subscribers hold themselves in readi-
ness TO pay in their subscriptions in full at any
time when called upon.
THE COMMITTEES.
Commissioner Wheatley is the chairman of
the organized committee having the enterprise
in charge; Gen. Albert Ordway, vice chairman;
Il. c. peLeon managing secretary, and Charles
s. Bradley, treasurer. The standing commit
tees are as follows:
Albert Ordway, James E Waugh, a. A. wilson,
William A. Gordon, Thomas h. Waggaman, T..
c. Duneanson, George L. Dunlop and James r.
Finance-Thomas E. Waggaman, chairman;
James l. Norris. Charles > Bradley. NJ. M.
Parker, j. W. Boteer and C. w. Thorn.
Transportation. etc.-George Pearson, chair
man; II. III. Carter, James l.. Taylor, James III.
Mari. John +. Masgaman and A. NJ. Lothrop.
Advertising-E. W. Fox chairman; George
Gibson, %. O. Staples, John keyworth aud
Charles L. Murray.
chairman; Capt. Geo. f. Lemon, Major II. L.
Crawford, Jeff. Chandler, Dr. Smith Townshend
De. IL
chairman: viii Wneatley, p II. Cristmau, j.
+. Wuieti, Z. Z. Duncanson and q. e. Green.
THE OBJECTS
of the national drill, as understood by its pro-
moters, are threefoid. The collection of such a
mass of men at the capital Will give healthy
business incentive TO the community and will
bring trade and money; il will prove an incen-
tive to advancement in the science of arms
through emulation and friendly competitions;
while representative men comprised in our
volunteer ORGANIZATIONS thrown together
will better appreciate one another, and learn
mutual reliance should the national reserves
ever be called to stand shoulder to shoulder in
the defense of their country.
THE ADVANTAGES.
offered by Washington for a national drill are
unsurpassed. 1t is central railroad travel
between all sections of the country, having
within q radius of 2OO miles an aggregate pop
ulation Oh ten million. 1t is repiete with his
toric and national associations, and is the CEN
ter of national curiosity; It's magnificent public
buildings, grand avenues, spacious p trks and
handsome residences combine to make il the
most beautiful city on the continent, whiie it
offers attractions far beyond all other cities tor
such conyOcatiOn Of the national guards and
the national public. The selection for the date
OF the drill is especially appropriate During
the latter part OF May w ashington Is attired in
her brightest clothing of green; the weather is
apt 70 be particularly good and the air delight
full The program has been so arranged that
tine last day of the drill will fail upon Decora-
tiOn day, and will furnish q fitting celebration
for that memorable occasion.
The most prominent railroad companies have
have not only agreed To make large reductions
in their transportation rates, but have sub
scribed literally to the guarantee fund. There
are manv places oil easy access suitable Tor
holding this drill; but SURPRISING ali others are
the White lot and Monument grounds To
make Use OF these grounds. however. il will be
first necessary 10 secure'the authority OF Con
gress. This, IL is hoped, will be done early in
tine coming session. should this plan unex-
pectediy faii, however, the success Oh the drill
will not be endangered, Tor Washington
and It's surroundings ABOUND in parade
grounds. Ihe associations OF the Monu-
ment grounds and the White lot make
them par ticularly desirable, while no location
would be so readily accessible TO the public.
The monument grounds oner unsurpassed op-
portunities tor u mammoth encampmeu while
the White lot, level floor, Will prove an
ideal parade ground. The latter reservation
Will be enclosed. grand stands erected and suit
able provisions made 1or accommodating the
1mmense gathering oi spectators.
THE PROGRAM.
The drill will commence on Monday Nav
23d, and will end with Decoration day. MAY
3Oth, 1857. Entries Will be open to regularly
oryanized volunteer militia OF The country Tor
competition as regiments, battalions or compa-
nies, In infantry, artillery, cavalry and zolave
tactics, aud also TO regularly organized
schools. The prizes TO be awarded successful
competitors Will aggregate over SZ6, 900. and
les. Ibis Is the principal expense connected with
the enterprise. anu IL was 20 meet it that the
guarantee fund was RAISED. The visiting or
YaniLations Will thus have the most satIfactory
assuarances that success in the compeliIIon
viii meet with valuable rewards
Inc regimental competition will be for the
best regiment OF infantry, Judged oy inspec-
Ilon anu review, and the prizes will be
agnincent stand OF coOrs, with gold. silver
and orouze medaIs TO the officers
Inc best battalion OF infantry, OF not less than
Tour companies, judged by inspection and drill
IN the manual aud Ia the MINOR movements
10 Test marching, wneelings, distances and
arguments, Will receive a prize amount
Ing 70 about $4,000, while nall that amount
VIII De given As u second prize il more
than two compete. For the best company
OF infantry, either separately entered or
Deiouglng 10 regiment or battalion, Judged
py Inspection and drill in the school OF the SOL
peny, prize OF about $4,000 will be
offered, while four additional prizes Will be
offered, varying from about $4,000 down 10
about yoOO. There Will he first and second
prizes tor light artillery, amounting TO $4,000
Ihe nrst prlze for cavalry companies Will be
$1,000 and the second Sl 800.
FOR ina best Zouaye drills the prizes
VIII probably be $1,000 and 500
For the best Infantry company. from auy
versity school, NOT under United States control.
Will be rewarded with 81 900 in cash, and If
more tnan Two compete a second prize Will he
given, amounting To $3.50 Individual prize,
OF x15O, $loO and 900 will be offered
for the best drilled soldiers In the
manual OF arms. Competition will be
restricted TO not more than two members of
any competing company. II will he seen that
the money prizes viii aggregate over S25 600
bronze. according 10 their grauing will he be-
slowed upon all commands taxing prizes at the
drill.
Communications have already been received