National Republican., 1888-05-20
NATIONAL GUARD MATTERS.
POINTS or INTEREST TO TIE
MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
Preparing for the Parade on Dccora-
tion pay Organizing Battery of
Artillery, Drum Corps. and Band
Inspection and Muster NOtes.


Gen. Ordway was found in his coy Office
yesterday afternoon busily engaged in over
looking papers relating to National Guard
matters.
Glad To- see yuu," was the warm welcome
,hc officer extended to reporter for the
RrruBLltNN,
81 want To havca talk with you about
the National Guard and obtain some inror-
nation as to how they have gotten along
recently"
"Sit down, and will tell You everything
| know"
"ThC whole command has worked very
hard and faithful all wiutcr--constant drills
and inspections the result has been u
very marked Improvement. Their work
will culmiuutc with the parade on Dccora-
tiun Day and after that will he allowed to
rc.t until next October that is. they will be
allowed to follow their own inclinations in
regard to drill and work. At the recent in
>pCctiuus many of the companies showed a
proficiency that few IN this country could
surpaSS. II has been very hard and trying
ON both officers and men To rclinquish long
accustomed habits of absolute independence
rdnon-aCcountaliity- submit even to a
mild interference with their affairs. and
this. not only voluntarily. but have actually
paid out of their own pockets for all their
expenses. too much praise cannot he given
them for the wonderful progress they have
made. 1t shows not only their spirit but
also their great Intelligence. for they rccog
nizc that IN the end that they will he great
gamers by H.
"1hcrc is much talk about the needs Of
legislation for the militia What are your
views IN regard to it,
"PracticNlly only two points are to be
gained 10y legislation. First, to authorize
the issue of stores sufficient to thoroughly
equip the whole force. The annual allow.
ance we get from the general militia appro.
lriaiiun Is ample for maintenance to sup
ply the ordinary wear and tear. What we
need is special legislation for original outfit
We want OvercoatS, blankets, tents, and
when we have prupcrarmorics to keep them
We want full dress uniforms. Second, we
want allowance or appropriation for armcry
rent. II Is a shame to require these men to
pay rent for rooms to drill In, and to care
for government property for which they are
responsible. In 1850 Congress appropriated
money to build the Armory building on
Sixth street for the Use of the volunteer
militia Of the District of Columbia.
It Is now in possession Of
the fish commission and the
NatiUial Museum for storage purposes,
The building has never been divestel By
law from the purposes for which 1t wa-
luilt-it belongs tn Us, and ! intend to
force the issue on 1t until It Is either re-
stored TO us or an allowance made for the
rental Of other buildings. It is impossible
FOR the militia Ia attain. proficiency until il
has sproperarmoriCs exclusively for their own
use. The companies are now scattered in
rooms. not large enough to drill in, and
which they are obliged to rent out for yuri-
ous purposes to help pay their expenses
The passage of our bill in the Senate has
given every man renewed energy and hope.
as It shows that We have only 10 he little
patient to obtain all that have indicated a.
necessary and due to Us"
"Thcy also pay for their own music, and
that is considerable of an item Of expense
"Nashingtun has long needed first class
local band. ON all public occasions, the
Marine band aud artillery band being OH
duty with the troops, II has been impossible
for the local militia ur civic societies to pro-
cure music. We are gratitlcd to learn that
Mr.. Schroeder, the we'll known musician
and orchestra leader, has been for some
time engaged in selecting the material for
first class band to be the National Guard
band, and that he has so far succeeded that
he promises 10 have the band fully organ
lied in the carly autumn"
81 suppose preparation Is being made for
the parade
"Thc National Guard will make its first
parade on Decoration day, and the men are
enthusiastic over this first opportunity to
show the rcsuls of their hard work during
the last six months. Many OF the companies
are much distressed that they cannot turn
out their full enlisted force. as It is not pos
Sibc to procure uniforms for them until
after the LIST of July, 1t is understood that
the parade will start from the Peace Monu-
ment at 10 o'clock, and will take up the
Grand Army Of the Republic at Fifteenth
street and escort them to the Aqucduct
bridge. The Marine band and artillery
band being on duty for the day, the services
Of the celebrated Wilson Post Drum Corps.
of Baltimore have also been accepted"
NATIONAL GUARD NOTES.
There seems ia Inc nsrrnrwel artiv.ity in