The critic. (Washington, D.C.) 1890-1891, 1891-03-14
NOT TO BE DISBANDED.
THE CoLoRED TROOPS WILL REMAIN
MEMBERS OF THE GUARD.


Within the Appropriation.
The committee OF colored citizens APP
pointed by the meeting last evening to
make protest in official quarters against
General Ordway's order disbanding the
colored contingent Of the National Guard
Of the District Of Columbia to-day carried
ont their instructions. They first paid
visit to the War Department, where they
had conference with Assistant Secretary
Grant, Secretary Proctor being absent.
General Grant took great interest in the
case presented to him. The questions
which he asked and the half.comments
which he made showed that he thought
that the protestants against General Ord
ways action had very good case in the
premises. Care was taken by several
members Of the committee to impress
upon him that none of his visitors was an
active member of either of the battalions
selected for dsbandment. They were
IL was put forth, were soldiers, and would
obey orders first, and then do what they
thought fit afterward.
Mr.. X. w. Tompkins was the principal
spokesman Of the visitors. He read the
resolutions adopted at last nights meet
ing and made further exposition of the
case in behalf Of the two battalions. Mr..
.R.. Lynch supplemented what Mr..
Tompkins said.
Secretary Grant stated that he had never
bad anything to do with the District
National Guard and did not know what
his authority was over 1t. Mr.. Tomkins
read from the organic act and showed that
while the General Government:had juris-
diction over the National Guard Of the
States only when mustered into the United
States service it at all times controlled
the District troops. The Secretary of War
could rescind an order issued by General
Ordway just as he could an order issued
by an officer of the Regular Army. General
Grant wanted to know If there was not
room for the colored troops in other bar
racks. He was told that there was. It
was also cited where big rents were paid
for'other troops.
The statement was made by Captain NJ.
NJ. Holland that the building ON the cor
ner OF Seventeenth streets and Pensyl-
vania avenue, occupied by General Ord
way as a headquarters, was much too
large for the purpose to which 1t was put.
One large room would be sufficient for all
the headquarters work of the District
Guard. General Grant asked If some of
the rents for other troops could not be cut
down SO that the colored battalions could
be provided for. 1t was demonstrated
that they could.
Mr.. John ii. Smith read from the act
ors-1izing the District Guard that para
graph which cites the causes for which
there may be disarmament. AS the clause
the appropriations, he held that General
Ordway had no authority to issue his
celebrated order.
George NJ. Arnold told about Major
Fleetwood. the commander of one of the
colored battalions. Major Fleetwood was
in the battle of September % before
Petersburg, and for gallant services there
hands of President Lincoln. He also re.
Ceivcd another medal and high en-
cOmiums from the commanding officer.
Captain Holland said that the effect of
General Ordway's order would be very
bad throughout the country, especially in
the South where the colored man has
practically no rights. II would be said
that right here at the National Capital it
was officially decided that no cOlored
man can belong to the National Guard,
and that decision had the approval of the
Republican Secretary of War and of the
Republican President Of the United
States. Ex-senator Bruce, Mr.. r.. w.
, Tompkins and Captain M. NJ. Holland
urged General Grant TO suspend the order
which requires these officers of the colored
troops to turn in their muster-rolls to-day
and the arms of their men next Monday
II they were compelled to turn in the
rolls to-day that would be the practical
consummation of it all.
Ex-senator Bruce spoke in the same
line and said that the colored people were
willing to foot such expenses as might be
necessary to continue thecolored battalions
in existence. Several of the committee
said that the deficiency that General Ord
way complained OF had nothing whatever
TO do with the present case. II was a de-
Y ficiency which grew out of the last years
encampment of the troops.
General Grant significantly remarked
that he knew nothing officially Of General
Ortiway's order and intimated that he did
not think it to be very Just one. He
would look into the case further and act
promptly.
Leaving the WAR Department greatly
pleased with their interview with General
Grant the committee went over to the
White House to see President Harrison.
As soon as they entered the room the
President said: Gentlemen, know ex-
actly what your mission is, and want to
assure you that the cOlored battalion shall
mot DO Disseminated against. There shall
he no color line in the District National
Guard. II there is deficiency in the APP
pYopriations, its results shall not be visited
only upon your people. They shall share
pro rata with the white troops in the ap--
slittle premature? General Ordway has
not disbanded the colored troops"
"But he has, sin" said Captain Holland.
The order Of General Orlway was read.
II knew nothing about that" said the
President, although ! have seen General
0rdway recently. That order will not 40
two companies each. They will be con-
solidated into one battalion Of four COM
ranies, This will do away with some Of
your officers"
"Our officers will be willing to submit.
They are soldiers sand ex-Minister John
II. Smith.
Referring TO the proposed popular sub.
scription for the colored troops the Presi-
dent said: "If such Is necessary, you
must see that the subscription is readily
filed. ] will contribute willingly
Reference had been made during the
interview to Major Fleetwooa's gallant
conduct III the Petersburg fight. The
President required to II and said: Gen
tlemen, II behooyes you 10 see to il that
Major Fleetwood is put in command OF
the consolidated battalons."
IL is needless to say that the committee
left the White House well pleased anC
happy o.,.,o,,. 80, o.. c.,,..., o.an,.,
this afternoon. There was a talk about
the District militia embroglio. The result
of that talk was that General Ordway Went
away from the White House with instruc
lions from the President to suspend his
order disbanding the two colored bat
salions of the District National Guard
The order was issued early this after
noon as soon as it could be prepared
SO the muster-rolls of the colored troop
will not be turned in at 9 O'Clock thi
evening In his order this afternoon
General Ordway says that 1t was intende,
10 permanently disband the colored bat
talon. They were not to be permanent,
mustered out.
The order of General Albert Ordwal
mastering out Companies A and u of TIN
Seventh Battalion, District Natona
Guard, has caused considerable indig
nation among the colored citizens o