Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-02

IA o. sss': s,;s +: I, |;
v>lAE in which it is hoped is
the item providing for
acamp Of instruction,
and within two or three days the measure will
be reported to the Senate. Then the waiting
soldier boys can know whether the brigade will
go into camp or not during the summer of
1892. OF course everybody hopes there will be
q consolidated camp, and there would be no
doubt about il il the Legislators who have the
matter in their hands could only see the noces-
sity which exists for that instruction which can
only be given when the brigade is
under canvas. Perhaps those legislators DO
see the necessity. IL they do there
will undoubtedly be an appropriation. Two or
three very satisfactory reasons might be given
in favor of camp this year, but it is enough
be impossible for the brigade to become even
fairly we'll versed in the new drill regulations
There would have been no room for doubt as
to a camp had Senator Plumb lived. The
kansan was thoroughly converted on militia
matters during the latter part Of the last SEES
sion and had declared his intention to assist
the National Guard in every reasonable way
He promised Che was chairman of the subcom-
mittee on the District appropriation bill) that
there should be a camp this year, and he would
have made his promise coed. Senator Allison
succeeded Senator Plumb on the subcommit-
tel, and although the Iowa statesman has never
declared himself fully a friend to the militia
still he is credited with the possession
Of a large amount Of that most uncommon
common sense which invariably does some
thing very much like the right thing. Senators
Dawes and Cockrell. also members Of the SUBJ
committee, are fully informed on military
matters and have always in the past been kindly
in their dealings with the District National
Guard. Until these gentlemen have declared
their intentions, though, no one knows what
will be done as to that camp which every one
acquainted with the subject knows is necessary.
ALWAYS AT THE HEAD OF THE COLUMN.
The District National Guard deserves well Of
Congress. Perhaps that remark sounds q trifie
like self-praise. Maybe it does. But it should
be remembered that '.whoso bloweth not his
own horn the same shall not be blown" and
let that be an excuse for the statement that in
the headquarters building at 18th and Penn
sylvania avenue there have been born more
good ideas on military matters than the world
imagines. Advanced thought on National Guard
affairs has there the utmost circulatiye freedom,
and, As q result, missionary ideas of the prac-
teal types have gone forth on tireless wings.
Every innovation adopted BY Gen. Ordway has
been adopted everywhere else as soon as the
innovation became known. There is no use in
trying TO make a catalogue Of the beneficences.
but it lie in order to call attention to the fact
that the drill cards Just issued have been
received with open arms by the authorities at
the Leavenworth school Of Instructions COM
phment not often paid the militia by the regu-
lar army. Another instance worthy of note lie
the adoption of the official blanks. the drill
cards and the code Of whistle signals of the d.
c. n. q. by Col Rice. the army officer who is
to command the great world Is fair police force
to be known as the Columbian National Guards.
This force will be purely military organiza-
ton, composed Of 500 well drilled and thor
oughly disciplined men. Col Rice gathered to-
getting ready to look around for recruits. He
seeks perfection Of organization and finds II in
the methods in vogue here.
Then the War Department has taken cogni-
zance Of the Ordway whistle code and is well
pleased with the whistle. Both the code and
the whistle are to be adopted for use in the
army. Rather gratifying, isn't il?
BY the way, the new drill regulations have
been amended. Not officially, but locally.
After awhile the army will follow. Under the
regulations the first sergeants have no place in
the firing line, but they are required to pack
rifles around. The necessity for hampering a
mans movements just because he happens to
De nrst sergeant is not apparent He has to
move around great deal-Sergt. Maj Dunn
OF the brigade staff speaks of him as the walk
ing gentleman-and there is no good reason
why he should be burdened with a useless
weapon. A few days since a requisition was
forwarded to the War Department for a suf.
hcient number of non-commissioned officers
SWORDS, and these, as soon as received, will be
issued to first sergesnts.
PROGRESSIVE wHEE1Mrx.
That cycle company chicken is getting to be
big bird. Some time ago it was able to Zap
its wings and now it may soon be expected to
crow-for that is the kind of q chicken il il.
Work on the drill book has been completed by
the board appointed to arrange tactical sys-
tenn; carbines have been issued, and everybody
is ready for business. Popular interesein the
cycle idea as applied to military purposes grows
Letters are daily being received from all parts
OF the country. Some Of those who make such
dilgent inquiry are Of the regular army others
are National Guardsmen; others are simply en-
thusiasts on wheeling. One of the leading
cycle manufacturers has sen. to headquarters .
chine will be the subject of much experiment
Gen: Ordway has recommended for commis-
sion Frank b Couch as captain; W. Allen
Balsh as first lieutenant; Frank p Libbey as
second lieutenant
The first organized cycle corps in the United
States has its home in this city. Another nov
city to the credit Of the Dong.
roREwARNED rs FoREARxEp
lis but little while before the annual
osseA suo Ahspecuon takee place. Then every
company In the brigade will be weighed in the
balance. Some Of them may be found wanting
put the majority will be in better shape than
ever before. They will have to undergo an in
spection that will permit no defect to escape
unnotlced Maj Macauley, who has succeeded
Maj. Gale, 10 an old soldier Of the most in
tenseiy practical sort He won his generals
stars early in the sixties and knows all about
the business. All through the brigade there
seems to be desire to show up in the best pos
sioie condition and some of the b.ttalions are
ariiing on the inspection ceremony so that when
the time comes there will be none of those an
noying little blunders which 30 frequently mar
what should be pleasant and profitable &C.
casion. Those Commands that have not done
something Of this sort might do very much
worse than follow the example which has been
OUT or THE WOODS At LAST.
Company A, second battalion, is in . jubi-
liant mood just now. And it has Q right to be.
1t IL onstop in the Law suit which for time
threatened its existence. Two years ago this
company lknown more generally as the Cor
eoran Cadets) commenced to have trouble.
Some members Of the oreanizstion-allegedt to
De anxious Tor Observation-Disclosures in vari-
Gus Illegal ways to remove Capt Edwards from
command. For these endeayors the leader Of
the opposition was ordered for court-martial,
but the court 0ever eonvened hecs LENT