Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-08-04
THE ARMORY BUILDING.
How the District National Guard Will
be Cared fOr-NOtcs from the Arm0ries.

4
be Cared fOr-NOtes from the Armories.
The fact that the building on 9Th street. occupied
| by the Fish Commission, is commonly known a.
| the Armory building suggested to General Ordway
| an Investigation OF its history. He found that
the building was erected under provision OF the
sundry civil appropriation bill OF 1855, "for the
| care and preservation OF the ordnance arms and
| accoutrements OF the United States, required for
the use of the volunteers and militia OF the Dis
tr1cJ Of Columbia the building to be used
by the volunteers and militia of the District of
Columbia under such regulations as may be pre-
scr1bed BY the President"
pital purposes. After the war; the militia Of the
District not being reorganzed, the building re-
NAMED unoccupied. In 1875 after the close OF the
Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, in looking
about for place to store the exhibits presented
BY foreign governments until the National Museum
building could be erected the unoccupied Armory
building was selected, and an appropriation was
made essn year for watching and for them
Though no legislation was enacted after 1885
the smithsonian Institution, National Museum
ana Fish commission retained possession OF the
ested TO protest against their continued occupancy
OF It. On discovering these facts General Ordway
submitted them to the Secretary OF War, who
made demand for the surrender OF the building to
MS CUSTODY Tor the uses for which 1t was by law
designed and designated, the District militia
being reorganized and needing 1t. The Fish Com
mission officials refused to surrender It, for the
reason that they had no place to which to remove
their establishment. General Ordway thereupon
submitted the matter to the Senate committee on
appropriations with the request that they either
provide other quarters for the Fish Commission or
PROVIDE other quarters for the District militia,
10 carry out the intent of the law OF 1850.
The senate committee after investigating the
matter conceded that the claim made by Gen.
Ordway was a valid one but that as the building
had been thoroughly ntted up for the use Of the
Fish Commission, and was In the best possible
location for their purpose, 1t would be inexpedent
10 remove them. They have accordingly inserted
In the sundry civil bill provision to transfer the
building to the Fish Commission, and have assured
gen. Ordway that on the presentation OF proper
estimates they will, at the next session OF Con-
greSs, make the necessary appropriation to rent
other quarters for the District militia or to erect
building in place or the one belonging 10 them,
as may seem most expedient.
All who are connected with the District militia
agree that the one thing needful to make them
thoroughly efficient is proper armorteS, and there
is no doubt that they will finally secure them.
NOTES.
Battery A, of the National Guard leave to-day
for Colonial Beach, where they will spend sunday
and Monday, returning to the city Tuesday. This
company is one OF the most fiourshing in the Dis
trlct militia. Drill Sergeant Nelson, OF the War
Department, who was non-commlssionOd officer
In the late war, has charge OF the boys, and the
course Of training he has been putting them
through shows itself In their well-eXecuted drills
which take place once q week in Wards Hall.
They hope to get their full uniforms by september.
The excursions given by the various companies
during the summer have been very profitable. The
last Of these given by the Signal Corps to Mar
shall Hall, and was well patronized by militia men
or other companies. At the grounds rifle match
formed one OF the attractions. The prizes were
gold medal for the best shot, and silver fac smile
OF the gold one for the second Mr.. w. II. john
stone, OF the COnttnentalS, captured first prize,
with score OF 50 out OF possible 80; Lieut. O'Con-
nor, OF the Signal Corps Mr.. Harding and Mr..
Miller tied for the second prize, and on the shoot
Prof. Schroeder, who intends organizing the
National Guard Band, is daily beseged by promi-
nent musicians asking place In the new band:
Prof. Schroeder says he intends having the band
In shape by September, and in q short while Will
commence renearsals.
After drill Monday evening the Union veteran
Dorps (Co. A, I'd battalion). elected several new
members. The camp fire and garden party of TINS
company on Tuesday evening was success.
Many g. A. r comrades and their families were
present. The command will give another camp
nre the coming month.
The ambulance corps give an excursion to Bay
Ridge August 23. This organiZa alton, under the
watcnful eye OF Capt. Leech, is rapidly progress
The headquarters Of the National Guard. at 18th
street and Pennsylvania avenue, having been put
In shape Gen. Ordway has been busy moving In
during the past few days. The General will occupy
most of the second floor.
Gen. Ordway is busy working on the needful
supplies for his soldiers.
The Emmett Guards under their new commander,
Capt. OBrien, will shortly take trip to Albany,
Ad1t.-Gen. Bigelow is expected home in few
days.
organizing. Several members OF the Ordway Rifles
have sgnlf1ed their intention OF resigning and
Joining this new company.
AT meeting OF the stanford Rifles Thursday
night 1t was decided to meet Gov. Stanford on his
return to the city from his European trip.
Eighteen members OF the National Guard Drum
Corps passed an examination for admission last
night. This new organization will occupy rooms
at headquarters, corner 18th street and Pennsyl-
vania avenue Mr.. Thomas Taylor has been APP
pointed chief instructor with MessrS. Robey and
Phinney as assistants. The necessary equipments
have been ordered. The fatigue uniforms Will be
issued first, and will consist or blue blouse sky
blue pants and legglnS. The undreSs will CON-
prise blue OvercOaL, fatigue uniform and black
helmet for winter, and white helmets for summer.
The full dress uniform will be that OF the Regular
Army band. They will be mustered in by Gen.
Ordway next Friday night.