Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-10
THE RANGE HAS BEEN OPENED.

and when the last shot has been fired the fate
OF the twenty competitors will practically be
determined upon. for on Thursday night the
number CT privileged ones will be cut down to
thirty. Those thirty will continue to shoot on
Tuesdays and Thursdays until the evening OF
the 18th instant, when a reduction of ten will
be made, and out of the remaining twenty the
team of twelve and the four alternates will be
selected. The range was opened on Thursday
SO as to afford competitors an opportunity to
get their elevation, each man firing five shots
| at each Of the three ranges. There were about
i've who failed to avail themselves Of the priv
lege.
PLAIN TRUTHS WORTH READING.
A field officer Of a leading Brooklyn regiment
told some plain truths in conversation the last
week. says the New York Times. The subject Of
the choice and election and the certi6cation of
the fitness Of candidates for commissions by
examining boaras was being discussed
1.-The accusation is made against the organ
ization with which I have the honor Of being
connected, said the speaker, shat the regi-
ment is seeking its officers outside of its own
ranks. Gen. Porter, during q conversation
with me after the Buffalo campaign said that
he thought the members Of the National Guard
had learned to obey the commissioned officers
OF the state, whether Of their own or some other
organization. This statement of his dispute,
and have had experiences which 60 to prove
that am right. / Think, furthermore. that
this talk against our eecting an outsider shows
that am correct.
suppose John Smith joins the first regiment
ana makes hrst-ciass non-commissioned Of
fcer, and that John Jones joins the second reg
,ment and makes poor one. A vacancy for a
lieutenant occurs in the second regiment. Now,
which would be the wiser course to pursue-to
eject Smith or Jones? Are the lives of the en-
Ested men ard the safety Of the community to
be lmperiled simply for the sake Of a SC 7timent?
The members Of the National Guard should
realize that they soldiers and liable to be
called upon 10 Weld their lives at any moment
II the Preservation OF peace and order.
There are other things to be taken into con-
sideration in this matter. To be an officer Of
the National Guard man must have spare
time at his disposal, besides being possessed Of
some means aside from those necessary to his
support, and to these must be added con-
siderable amount of military knowledge and
ability. Yet, in spite of all this knowledge,
ability and means. In spite Of the danger Of Sc
Iecting poor officer, we hear a continual cry
against selecting an outsider who Is SO
equipped. One way. and one only, offers out
Of this dilemma-if q company has a man in its
own ranks who possesses the qualifications and
is suitable in the respects indicated he should
be selected as the candidate for . commission,
but not otherwise"
BRIGADE BOARD DETAILS.
General orders No. z, issued from headquar-
tiers under date Of the Sd inst, are as follows:
1. First Lieut.. George A. Warren, adjutant
third battalion. is at his own request relieved
from further duty on the brigade board of ex-
animation.
q Capt. William z. Horton. aid-de-camp, ia
detailed as recorder of the brigade board of ex-
animation, vice Warren, relieved.
g. Capt Richard A. Pyles. surgeon second
regiment, is detailed as member of the examin-
ing board constituted by general orders No. l,
paragraph 6. January 90. 1891, from these head
quarters, vice Leach, deceased.
NOTES.
As is its annual custom the first battalion-in
its character as the Washington Light Infantry
Corps-will enjoy ar. excursion down the river.
The day selected is Wednesday next; the desti-
nation Of the steamer (Which is the ChaS. Mac
alester) is Marshall Hall and the boat leaves the
It'll street wharf at 10 am. and and $50 I'm.
A frst-class, Woodworking committee is in
charge of the entertainment and there Is prom
Use OF good time for all who participate.
Gen. Ordway has been absent at st. Paul dur
ing she past week. doing duty a delegate from
the District to the annual encampment OF the
Loyal Legion.
Hereafter communication between the firing
points on the barracks range and the targets of
the same will be electrically conducted. Hith-
erto the skirmish whistle has been used. but
under certain conditions OF wind 1t was inef-
fectual az the longer ranges. An electric bell,
an adjustable push button and simple code
will do the business much more satisfactorily.
At least one marching competition is quite
probable before the close of this month, and
company commanders will endeavor to avoid
being caught with team of weak men when
the order makes its appearance.
Voluntary practice on the range commences
at 80 on Mondays and Saturdays.
B company Of the third battalion held a meet
ing last night for the purpose of electing
officers with the following result: First Lieut..
Fabian Columbus was elected captain. vice NJ.
Mahany. resigned; Second Lieut.. Geo. Phebus
frat lieutenant. vice Columbus. promoted;
Sergt. J. ID. Leeman second lieutenant, vice
Phebus. promoted. The election was partici-
pated in BIZ about twenty-five members of the
company. and as has been the custom since the
organization o. the company. the officers Sc
lected were the unanimous choice of their COM
rades.
Col. Mosher was ready yesterday to order as
many companies Of the brigade as might have
been needed to assist in the preservation OF
order or the work of rescue at Ford's Theater.
but there necessity for turnout; in
fact there was no work for the troops that were
ordered from Fort Myer and the barracks.