Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-04

good government When Congress first failed
To make the necessary appropriation for an
annual encampment there were many who de-
elarsd that TIE local brigade must soon go to
pieces, and when Congress once more failed to
do i,s duty thea there could no longer be any
doubt as 10 the shor; period Of existence which
was left 20 the National Guard of the District
Bat the organization was made OF better
material than its enemies supposed, and Il was
controlled and fosterei by officers who knew
their duty to their commands and to the COM
mnnity. So the result has been that out of
green material there has been built up one of
the finest military bodies in the United States;
one that will rank second 70 none in the great
parade which will take place on Pennsylvania
Hyenue on the fourth day OF next month.
II i evident that large proportion of the
bright young men OF the rising generation have
n realizing sense OF the necessity OF semi
military education. and they are finding as much
a. they need Of IL in the ranks Of the National
Guard Years ago ninety-nine out Of every
hundred members Of the militia companies de-
served the title OF play soldiers" but that day
Il gone BY, probably forever, for now there is
nothing in the uniform Of the National Guard
% attract these who love the spectacular nor is
there that lazy inatteution 20 duty which was
once a characteristics of amateur soldiers. To
be guard-nAn a man must drill well and
shoot well. be prompt and thoroughly atten-
INEQUALITIES that viii stand him in good
stead IN almost any line Of business ard under
any circumstances.
INV COMPANIES.
Two new companies are about ready to be
mustered in. One OF these ia composed en-
ureIy Of employees of the War Department
numbers in all nearly eighty men and has in if
the elements of frst-clss command. For
the present this company will he unassigned,
but when midsummer arrives ami another COM
pnny-composed exclusively OF graduates of
tire High School--en:ers the service there
will be .ore changing around and filing out
of the fifth battalion. which for some time past
has been entirely destitute OF officers and men.
IL IL generally understood that when this new
High school COM any comes into the guard il,
with the two High School companies now in
the second battalion, will constitute the
basis OF the reorganized fifth battalion.
and this will be commanded by one
Of the High School Captains probably
Capt. Reichelderfer. who now commands
company ID Of the second battalion. At the
same time the War Department company would
almost surely become part OF the second bat
taliOn-an assignment agreeable to all of its
members.
RESURRECTION.
Then there was q surprise in the sixth bat
TALON. Company c seemed to be on the verge
OF dissolution and Lieut.. Smoot was detailed
to watch !. die. But Lieut.. Smoo. was not that
-
za1ion might be aroused and proceeded at once
10 arouse IL. He has succeeded. for he has
about forty men. most o. them. II not all OF
them. employees OF the government printing
Office. and they promise to be a credit to them
selves and 10 the brigade IL IL Capt Smoot now
and deservediy. The fourth battalion, too. is
getting a good deal OF movement on itself now
that Maj. Campbell is aboU: TO return to COM
uAnd- Rife prastice is expected TO develop
more than ever before. for il Is understood that
nominated As inspector of rifle practice within
. few days.
MOVING STRAIGHT AHEAD.
The regular monthly meeting Of the inspectors
Of rife practice was held at brigade headquar-
tiers last Monday evening. and proved to be one
% the most interesting OF the gatherings. Many
subjects Of interest to the department. Of rife
practice and to the brigade were discussed
probably and several valuable conclusions were
reached one Of the most general importance
Vas tina. which concerns the marking of shots
In the gallery. There has always been more or
lees trouble in properly scoring On the indoor
range. because lead would splash and bullets
would hatten out 80 that hits which would have
missed the four-line bulfs-eye on a paper
target wolld splash away over the line
iron target and thus give to q man q point
which he had not earned. and to which. Of
course. he not eatitled- To avoid any
trouble IN the future, and TO secure absolute
uniformity, II WAS decided TO supply the in
spectors OF rife practice with i5-caiiber gauges.
by means OF which. and measuring from the
middle Of the hit-whieh is very clearly appa-
rent-they would give man just hat he made
and no more. OF course some Of the men who
have been in the habi; OF scratching in bulls
eve now and then viii feel a little disturbed
over tie affair but il Will be perfectly equitable
and did not commence until the first night OF
the present month, 80 that everybody starts out
even.
TUosE Rusty RIFIEs
One or two Of the ms ectors had complaints
TO make about the extremely rusty and dirty
character OF the guns in their commands and il
vas suggested that companies on duty in the
gallery should bring with them at least one
Cleaning rod for every two rifles. that when
~ becomes absolutely necessary TO put gun in
order the material will be with the company
and avsilabls for immediate use. Ii was stated
oy one inspector that in u Company whose rife
practice he had supervised but a few DAYS since
mere was not single gun that would pass even
the most liberal sort of an inspection. The at
tntson OF this company has frequently been
called to the condition Of its arms bu. no rea-
sonable amount Of kindly criticism seems to be
81 any avail
TEE DOOR NAY BE sHrr.
Another grievance was found in the fact that
several comp anles have reported at the gallery
very much later than the hour prescribed in
the general orders. This il something that
ought not 10 be and II IL continues NAV result
In . tribe 81 friction. A tardv company GER
tAinly has no right TO keep the inspector in the
gallery until an unreasonably late hour, and Ii
viii not be az all surprising II when some one
of these very late commands arrives at the gal
lsry from half an hour to three-quarters of an
hour behind time IL ind the lights out and the
doors locked. There is a limit to the patience
even Of an inspector Of rife practice
ASSIGNMENTS OF sEPARATr COMMANDS
Al the conclusion Of the meeting the inspector
general Of rife practice announced that for the
purposes Q; rife practice and until further or
dsrs the first and second separate com panies
would be attached to the first regiment while
the nrst separate battalion and engineer corps
are attached 20 the second regiment
IL vas also arranged that the inspectors OF
nre practice instead of shooting their Official
scores On the same night A. is assigned to COM
P~ny A OF their respective battslions. will do
their shooting with the general staff and the
nsld and staf Of regiments. This Is but right,
Because when an inspector has worried through
an evening with a company q forty or forty
Eve men he is IN condition 10 DO himself
Justice From this time forth he will have q
chance.
MANY WILL BE N FuLL nRzss UNIFORM.
When the brigade parades in connection with
The inaugural ceremonies i; will not have tina,
sniform appearance which has heretofore been