Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-14
NOT A POPULAR ACT.
HARD ON VOLUNTEER OFFICERS
NEARING THE FlFTY-MiLE POST.
The Difference Between an Aigsbraic De-
monstrator and n Pisno-Piayer-
Guns for the Indians.
Correspondence Of the Richnon Dispatch.l
OLD PoIsr CoMFoBr. VA,
December IL. 1890.


OLD Porsr CoMFoRr, VA,
December -, 1890.
The recent act OF Congress which re-
quires all officers below the grade OF
major TO be examined before promotion
is not very popular IN the army,
especially among those who were not
fortunate enough TO receive an educa-
ton at West Point 1t is true they have
organized two boards, one composed OF
those who served in the volunteer ser
vice TO examine their comrades. who
ike themselves were appointed TO the
army after the close Of the war, but even
this is hardship upon many deserving
men who are now close to the halt-cen-
tury mile-post. The trouble with this
class a. a rule is that they went to war
when they should have gone to school,
and when the trouble was over they
we're too old TO take up their studies
again. recall an amusing incident that
occurred here some ten or twelve years
ago which will illustrate the case.
yLOORED THE COLONEL.
A young gentleman left college in 1861
10 JON the army, and at the close Of hos
tilities was adiutant OF bis regiment. lie
secured an appointment IN the regular
army, and after serving ten or twelve
years WAS sent here for instruction. lie
was an excellent officer and fine mu-
stefan. bat hated the sight OF book.
One day the Colonel who had charge OF
the class called him up to demonstrate
problem in algebra. He frankly stated
that he knew nothing about it. "Mhy,
said the Colonel, otis easy enough, and
taking the chalk rapidly iotted it down
on the blackboard. On leaving the sec
tion-room he said : Colonel, ] have Just
got fine piano this morning. | wish
YOU would come over to my quarters and
see it" Knowing him to be fine per-
former the Colonel went. After playing
number of brilliant selections the
Young man got up and said: "Now,
Colonel, ! want TO hear you play one OF
those pieces" but the Colonel protested
that ne knew nc note of It, Wei,
Colonel" said he. "that Is just the
difference between you and !. You can
demonstrate those problems IN algebra
and cannot I can play the piano and
YOU cannot, and don't think you ever
will" A timely vacancy placed him IN
command OF his battery and relieved his
mind from a power OF trouble"
NAVAL NOTES.
The good ship Petrol, Commander
Rrownson. sailed from the Roads Tues
dav morning for q cruise in the West
Indies. where she will touch at q number
Of points and will join Admiral Gerhardl
and the North Atlantic squadron ct Port
all Prince about January 25th.
The training-ship Jame'town, Com
mander Schooler, returned on Wednes-
day from her cruise mp the bay. She
spent week laying of Yorktown, where
the bows we're allowed liberty ashore to
study the ancient landmarks in that sec
ton. She goes to Norfolk next week to
be fitted out for winter cruise in West
India waters.
Colonel ROYAL T. Frank, commandant
received orders from the War Depart
ment 10 ship two Hotchkiss machine
gums TO Fort Meade, South Dakota,
which went forward by the Chesapeake
and Ohio railroad on Wednesday. If
thew are ever brought into play against
the Indians they will no doubt astonish
the natives and DO an improvement on
Derby's revolving mule"
BUT MRS. FAYEBvEATHER CONTESTS.
General =. G. Armstrong is very much
rratifed at the liberal donation to the
Hampton Normal School Of 800, 900 by
the will Of the late Daniel j. Fayer-
weather. of New York. This will be
added to the endowment fund, which
already amounts to sl94, 900, and which
If his usual good luck attends him Will
reach half a million in the near future.
A branch of the Young Mems CHRIS
tian Association which was organized IN
the garrison about year ago with Colo
mel Charles Bird as president ia now IN
hourshipg condition. Colonel Frank
assigned them two classmates, which have
been tastefully fitted mp ard now CON
taiug n library of over three hundred vol
umes. a gymnasium, and room Tor
chess. chequers &c. Ii has member
ship of about one hundred and twenty
five. and is now one Of the popular fea-
lures OF the garrison.
SOCIETY AND MILITARY.
Colonel and Mrs. Bird left on Thurs
dnv evening for Baltimore. Mrs. Bird
goes on to her home. Wilmington, Del;
tho Colonel returned this morning Uia
Washington.
Captain and Mrs. Davis, who have
been spending a week with friends IN
Washington, returned Tuesday morning.
The officers who went of last week Tor
examination have all returned Lieu
tenants Barret,e, Wheeler, and Berry
from New York, and Eastman, Davis,
Ruclman, Milhar, and Wake from
Washington.
GETTING READY.
Manager Pike has large force OF
workmen employed putting the Hygeia
in shape for the spring season. The
parlors have been fre.coed, and the
halls. Office, aud reSding-room hand
somely papered in rich and harmonious
colors The cold snap North has already