Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-06-29
some IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARMORY
An Important Year in the History
of the Militia.
OF INTEREST

he SOlQleTS were COHSiutTdDly ldtlSucu
by their ten days outing under canvas,
not display undue eagerness as regards
drills and other duties
At headquarters the situation is diametri-
cally opposite for there necessarily re-
suited from the camp a vast amount of
business, and Col. Mosher and his assist
ants do not find that time hangs very
heavily on their hands. There are bills,
vouchers, invoices. receipts and other
papers demar ding attention, and the proper
treatment Of each entails the expenditure
of much care and time.
Since the departure of the troops from
Camp Washington Saturday last Lieut.. T.
S. King with the assistance of a large
force of men. has almost constantly been
engaged in storing away In the fort the
tents and equipage made use OF by the
brigade At the present rate all such mat
tiers will soon be disposed of, and the guard
will then resume Its normal state.
The Rifles mt ST. Louis.
The trip of team from company B. sec
ond battalion more popularity known as
the National Rifles. 10 the interstate drill
and encampment which opens Monday
next at St. Louis Is attracting consider
able interest, and has been the subject Of
men. The general sentiment seems to be
that the representatives of the company
recently mustered in cannot reasonably be
expected to make a remarkable showing in
competition with such organizations as the
famous Branch Guards, Belknap Rifles.
Mccarthy Light Guard and others that
have entered the drill. Since winning the
fourth prize at the drill held in this city in
May, 1887. the Rifles have not devoted
much attention to drill, and. in fact have
ITpt1 foo I'M hut q
weeks ago. The team has not had more
than one months instruction under the
new regula TONS and that period is not con-
sidered sufficient for properly mastering
the maneuvers included In the program.
However. the enterprise of Capt. Oyster 3
men is commended on all sides; their work
will be eagerly watched and only satisfa =
ton expressed should they return to Wash
ington, as have the Fencibles, Morton Ca
diets and Emmett Guard with prizes dan
Cling from their belts. -l.
improvements nt tie Armory.
Company A, second battalion, has recent
ly made extensive alterations and Improve
ments in its quarters at the new armory
building, and now possesses as coZy and
Handsomely furnished a suite of rooms as
any in the building. The room originally
assigned to the band has been turned over
to Capt Edwards men for q locker room,
a doorway has been cut through the wall
as an entrance from the company room,
and an ornamental decrease erected at
the main opening into the quarters.
During the coming week company A.
third battalion, intends to fit up Its room
on the second floor of the armory building
sumptuously. and $500 is to be expended
with that end in view.
While the brigade was In camp painters
were kept busy staining the floors of the
Railways at the armory, the appearance of
the same being greatly improved thereby.
Army Regulations Adopted.
The United States army regulations were
recently adopted by the military board of
New Jersey to control future enlistments
In the National Guard of that state. Here
tofcre no uniform regulations prevailed.
Those adopted are as follows:
/. Applicants for enlistment in the Ma
tional Guard of this state must be persons
who are resident citizens thereof. between
eighteen and fo-ty-f1ve years of age, of
good character and habits, able-bodied.
to speak. read Ind write the English Ian
guage.
q Minors will not be enlisted without the
written permission of parent or guardian.
3. Applicants must satisfy the recruiting
officer regarding their age and character,
and should, II required, he prepared to fur
nish evidence thereof.
4. For infantry the height of enlisted men
IlluSl not DE less imam live leeC SIX Inches,
weight not less than LIS pounds and not
more than 100 pounds.
s. For cavalry the height of enlisted men
must be not less than five feet six inches;
weight not more than 175 pounds.
The Officers Were to Blame.
The year 1894 was an important one to
the National Guard, according to the Mill
tary News, for during that short period
over twenty states had to call on their SOL
diers to aid in enforcing law and In main
tanning order. This service has, in a meas
ure, demonstrated the efficiency as well
as the shortcomings of the guard.
Where mistakes occurred, and in the few
Instances where the guard failed to do all
that was expected of it.. the enlisted men
were not to blame. The men in the ranks
proved themselves to be brave, enduring.
patriotic and efficient when properly offi-
cered. The officers who failed to play thelr
parts well rank from governors down. In the
instances where the guard proved ineia-
cient the officers were not cowardiy. but
lacked military knowledge, executive apll-
ity and judgment.
Among other propositions in the line OF
Improvement 1t is suggested that line ON
GERS should have some military claims to
a commission before one Is issued. Inc
National Guard officer is not nSureneao
for body Of men, but necessity in every
state. He should be a man OF education
general intelligence and military expert
ence. He should know something besides
tactics and be a student of military works
He should have clear idea of the laws
that govern him and his rights and powers
when on duty.
Staff officers should disappointed because
they have some adaptability or experience
in the department in which they are &c
serve. The best place to get experience is
in the service.
The efficiency of the guard depends or
the officers and the supply departments
/ Goods arms, good clothes, good 1000, anc
good officers bring good men to the ranks
and keep them there. In many Instances
there are good men in the ranks without
| these essenti als.
Resignation Of Capt. Pcixott".
| Capt. D. L. NJ. Peixotto. adjutant OF the
first regiment and ;;at one time major ant
chief Of ordinances on the brigade staff
has rendered his resignation. The reason
for such action, according to those who
| claim to know. IL that the adjutant ant
| the colonel of the first regiment misunder
stood each other several times while a
camp and also during the dress payad,