Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-17

range in the way of competition for places on
the brigade team the District National Guard
has, during the past week, attended only to
routine business. The regular grind of drill
hall work has not been neglected, in fact, most
OF the companies are maneuvering more
smartly than they have ever heretofore DONE
But the brigade team competition has been the
military feature Of the past few days. On Tues
day. commencing at 1:S0 o'clock the fifty can
didates selected by the regimental inspectors
Of rifle practice faced the targets and did battle
for the honor Of supremacy Eacnman was per-
mItted two sighting-shots at each Of the three
ranges-200, 500 and 600 yards-and fired
stIlng of seven shots at the distances men,
toned; twenty-seven rounds in all. With a
slight decrease In the number OF men similar
program was gone through on Thursday, and
yesterday after careful comparison Of the re-
suits Maj Harries, the inspector general
OF rifle practice. selected the following
competitors to fight through the second stage,
which will last until the evening Of the Goth
instant: Capt j. E. Bell, Sergt. T. T. Page,
Private John A. Kirk, Private Walter Scott
Private n. B. Sturgus, Private W. U. Watson,
Corporal Maurice Appleby, Com. Sgt. w. H.
Meyer, Private E. s. Wilcox. Private H. Blan-
ton, Sergt. G. A. Russell, Col. Sgt. W. ]. MUIR
ply. Private A. s. Mccain, Private H. II.
Leizear, Corporal G. b. Young, Capt. W. L.
Cash, Col. Cecil Clay, Lieut.. c. H. Laird,
Lieut. C. L. Himebaugh. Lieut.. S. D. Rotramel,
Lieut. J. NJ. Pollard and Lieut. I. s. King
WHERE THE LOCAL BRIGADE Is AWAY AHEAD.
If the National Guard of New York could for
awhile reason with itself and convince its inner
consciousness that numbers and efficiency are
far from synonymous it might learn a few valu-
AZ ~, n.
trlct of Columbia Is so proud. Hear the wall
that goes up from an old and thoroughly
experienced officer. He SAYS that the examin-
ing board which turns out officers for the en-
pire state troops is a farcical aggregation that
foists incompetent officers upon regiments.
lone candidate" said he to the New York
Times. ''gets a fifteen minute examination in
the school of the soldier. while another gets
three hours, and is asked questions about
everything. from military law and geography
to how to write a letter. The Endorsement of
the candidates election by the approval or dis
approval of the commanding officer Of the
ganizstion is something that the board pays
no attention to. and in fact the members of
that august body look upon such an indorse
ment as a gratuitous insult on the part Of the
commanding officer.
is there any one better able to Judge Of the
qualifications of candidate for promotion than
the commanding officer of the candidate him
self! Why, then, should not such Endorsement
be part of the examination? commanding
officer might say that the commissioning Of
Candidate Blank would be detrimental to his
organization, but according to the way in which
examinations are conducted under existing con-
ditions the statement would not have the slightest
effect upon the examining board.
I'm the United States army no man is allowed
to be candidate for a commission without the
approval Of his commanding officer. That is
somewhat too radical for the National Guard,
as the latter is volunteer service but 1t is not
altogether impossible to improve upon the
present status Of affairs. WHY, for example,
should not the candidates for commissions be
compelled to demonstrate their efficiency in
practical manner. by drilling a company in
presence of the examining board? Such
course would give line up in a man. ability
which would be indisputable. The examination
could be conducted in an armory, ard regi-
mental commanders, almost without exception,
would be pleased to put their companies at the
disposal OF the board for this purpose. To this
practical demonstration could be added the
theoretical examination of the candidate, to-
gethor with the recommendations OF his COM
manding officer.
The popular supposition that promotion in
the companies and the regiments OF the Ma
tional Guard goes by merit" the speaker con-
cluded, ''is popular failacy. Suppose private
Robinson joined a regiment two years ago,
during which period he has performed but so
per cent OF duty, besides being a notorious
time Now. will guarantee that if that man,
bad in every way as soldier as he is, will only
spend a little time and money upon his COM
rades in the company he can be elected to fill
commission; and, further than this again, that
by little judicious poll-parrot examining he
can PASS the examining board. although abb
solutely devoid of every essential requisite to
making an officer.
There is not thinking officer in the National
Guard who will not admit that in respect of the
matters to which l have alluded we are con-
fronted by condition and not theory. Now
In order to remedy this condition, let us have
brigade school and compel all candidates for
commissions to be graduates of this school and
have the Endorsement of their commanding off,
GERS, company and regimental, before their
election. Limit the choice of the companies in
the exercise Of the right Of the election of COM
missioned officers to the men whose quaifca-
tions and ability had been certified to as sug-
gested and we would have a National Guard IN
equaled by any state In the Union"
RANGE REGULATIONS.
Early next week regulations governing vol
untary practice on the rifle range will be pub
lished. Perhaps the most generally interesting
rule is the one which prohibits the promiscuous
mixing up Of sighting shots and scores and tho
retiring Of scores or parts of scores. Hereafter
every shot fired upon the range will be recorded.
NOTES.
The range will be open for voluntary practice
on Mondays and Saturdays. Practice opens At
| 1:30-at 200 yards on Monday, running down TO
| 600 yards, and at 600 yards ON Saturday.
Company B, fourth battalion goes on al
excursion 70 Bay Ridge on Monday. 1t prom
ises to be u very pleasant affair.
Quartermaster General Frank Aldrich has
resigned his commission