The Washington times., 1894-12-23

Allinterest is now centered in the action OF
the National Rifles on the question OF enter
ing the National Gnard. Some time ago the
company voted to enter and Gen. Ordway sig
nifled his Intention Of transferring two COM
panies from the Second Battaiion.to the Third
10 make room for them II was supposed that
the muster-in would take place in a short
time, but something has happened TO make the
action Of the Rifles Il problem. Quite num-
Der of officers, on the outside entirely, have
gone so far rs TO make bets on the result and
each one thinks he Will win.
The Rifles We're inspected Monday night
and sixty-four of the sixty-seven members
were present. Everything was found in good
shape and the inspection showed a remark
ably fine body OF men. II was thought some
decided action would be taken at this meet
ing, but the matter was postponed until the
first Thursday in January. The general SEN
timent was in favor OF joining the National
Guard, but it seems to be growing weaker.
Wien the vote was taken thirty men wanted
to join the Guard and sixteen or seventeen,
who were not present, had expressed SINH
lar desire. 1t was the wish of Capt. Oyster
that the entire company join the Guard, and
he promised on the authority of Gen. Ord
way that all who so desired should be mus
tered out within twenty-lour hours. Such
members, however, would retain their
membership in the Rifles. Capt.
1 Oyster has also been promised a squad OF
1 thirty men as soon as his company would go
in the guard. He will not appear before Gen.
! Ordway to muster in with less than forty-two
4. zF
/ recruits the next day. During the holidays
1 quiet efforts Will be made in the recruiting
/ line, and if enough men can be secured, one
company will muster in the District Guard.
! Two-coMPANY BATTALION.
/ This acton of the Rifles makes an inter
esting state OF affairs about the assign
ments to the new armory. The publiea-
! ton of the comp any quarters in these
/ columns last week caused a good deal
/ of talk among the boys. Most all of them
/ are pleased With the new arrangement. Some
! have Leen al the new headquarters during
/ the past week, but were denied admission.
! Every person is being kept out now. but those
/ who have seen the interior can tell all about
/ il 10 those less fortunate.
One thing IS certain, though, and that is
/ that the two companies OF he Second Battal-
: len. who were TO be associated with the
Rifles, Will not go into he latter's armory.
They viii be taken care OF somewhere else
/ When Capt. Oyster was asked about this he
said: I'VE DO NOT want any outs!Cefs IN our
armory. l would Ike 10 recruit 10 two COM
panies II can take care OF them and 80 into
{ the Guard, Tut the other two companies Of
the Second Battalion will have 10 be taken
/ care Of at some other place We can march
10 battalion headquarters whenever it - nee
( cssary. ! would Ike to see my company in
the Guard and those who are too Old could
Sill belong 10 the Rifles organization. Then
when we wgn,ed TO 80 anywhere We could
receive courtss.es we Otherwise N -.
In the Fifth Battalion matters are quoting
/ down somewhat. There Is general air Of
expectancy and reorganization Of one OF
the companies az least is expected some
( tine soo1. MAJOR Suess is hustler. aud
wants men in his command who are just as
active as be- lie is thoroughly imbued with
the idea that soldiers should he alive 20 every
thing going on aad equal 70 the emergency.
He means TO have one oi the best battaions
in the District befo tue brigade eucamp-
ment The Third Battalion Is awaiting the
I order transferring two companies from the
Second, and as soon rs that is done VIII pro-
ceed TO put itself into iirst-class shape II
the Rifles fail to come in the Second Battalion
will be left with two companies only, but
crack companies at that. The column this
week contains the pictures OF two officers
who are well known outside OF military
circles.
TWO POPULAR OFFICERS,