The Washington times., 1894-11-04

While Gen. Ordway is very busy these days
and finds but little time to spend in Wash
ington, he still keeps informed on everything
that is going on in the District Guard. He
knows what is happening, and has some ideas
OF his own on how matters should be run. He
is watching with interest the efforts of the
battalion commanders to enforce better
attendance at drills, and expects to see these
efforts bearing fruit before the winter is over.
In speaking to a TIMES representative on this
subject, he said:
TIE NEW ARMORY.
Work on the new armory is being pushed as
rapidly as possible. Architect SomeryiIle
was seen one day during the week, Just as he
was getting into his buggy in front Of his
Ohce.
Are you going to break the prediction of
THr TIMES. and give the arm ory to the guard
before January l2'' was asked.
''Tm not saying word. was the reply.
''weI. suppose we can say you'll have it
ready by December y"
For goodness sake, don't. I'm working
night and day, and rushing everything as
much as it can be rushed 1 may surprise
the boys, but I'm making no promises"
"Wil any effort be made TO change the
guard laws this winter2' was asked.
''The District Guard law is al right re-
sponded the general. I'VE don't want it
changed. Only one change could be made
of any importance, and that is to pay the
mon. But if we would 90 before Congress
and ask Ii TO pay the guard, why-weL, 1
guess it would disband us all immediately.
Il is as much as we can do now TO get Con-
gress TO pay our armory rent As soon as
we get in the new armory things will be in
better shape I think the guard will have a
boom. We viii have nothing to do then but
to prepare for brigade camp. have not de-
.ided upon the date yet, but IT viii be some
zine in June, and before the 18th. The
camp will be held at Fort Washington and
will be the first brigade camp we have had IN
ieur wears. 1 expect most gratifying re.
suits"
"Cndoubtedly q battalion commander has
the right to arrest an absentee and hold him
until the drill is over, but he can punish him
no further except by discharging him. II the
members Of the guard were paid the matter
would be different Then such punishment
could be inflicted as was meted out ID Ohio
some weeks ago. But here il is different, and
the only question is the most effective manner
of punishment In the District a man takes
an oath to obey the laws. and think it is
more binding here than anywhere else. Here
there is no question OF "a contract as IN the
States and for this reason 1 hold that man
is the more bound. IL he can't or won't live
up to his oath the best thing TO do is TO kick
him out. To such a man Gishonoreble dis
charge means nothing. and being arrested is
all Joke 70 him. Iwould rather have half
the number Of men we now have, If each was
ready and anxious TO do his duty, than 10
have double the number, il each cared nothing
Tor bis obligations.
Among the officers of the District Guard no
Two gentlemen are better known than Capt.
Eugene c. Edwards. OF Company A. Second
Battalion (Corcoran Cadets. and the first
lieutenant Of that organization, Charles A.
Meyer. Pictures Of these two officers appear
In this column this week. Capt. Edwards is
a native Of the District and his military train
ing was acquired In the Washington Zouayes.
He assisted in organizing that company and
was elected second lieutenant. The company
disbanded in 1882 and he, with 4 few others,
organized the Corcoran Cadet Corps, OF which
he was elected captain. Lieut. Meyer is
Washingtonian and entered the company IN
June, 1888. as private. He has filled all the
grades up TO his present rank. When first
sergeant he won the distinction Of being the
best drilled man in the District.
THE coRcoRAN CADETS.
The Corcoran Cadet Corps was organized
February p. 1888, and was named after Mr..
William W. Corcoran. The average age Of
the members at the time Of formation was Is
years, and the corps drilled with wooden
rifles until at a fair. held in the fall Of 1888,
enough money was made 10 purchase some
condemned rifles. In 1884 enough money
was made at another fair to purchase uniform
coats. February %. 1885. the company ap-
peared in its first public parade at the dedi-
cation OF the Washington Monument. and
ha6 far r. thar ONeagFRn fn9 ~
Johns College Cadets, Of Alexandria, Va.
The company assisted in the first inaugura-
ton Of President Cleveland, and through the