Evening star., 1895-11-07

pan1eS.
Less OfHcers.
This plan would practically make no
noticeable difference to the general pub
lie, for when on parade the battalions
would march in four platoons, each as
large as the present companies. A great
decrease in the number Of commissioned
officers however. would ensue If a change
of formation as outlined were made
throughout the brigade.
Although the election returns proved
strong competitor, the rumors concerning
the changes in the guard were the principal
topic Of conversation Tuesday evening and
yesterday among those officers and enlisted
men who had become acquainted with the
news, and 1t was generally agreed that If an
attempt was, made to change the formation
of each battalion from four to two COM
panies, there would be great weakening of
the strength of the organized militia of the
District For instance. so those well versed
in military matters claimed, if an order
issued consolidating two companies and
placing the present captain Of one of them
in command, the members of the company
whose captain was ousted would almost to
a man, decline to serve under the retained
officer.
Ill Feeling Likely.
Relieving thirty or forty commissioned
officers Of their commissions would cause not
little i'll feeling. it was thought, and no
merge, for example, the four companies CT
the first battalion more familiarly known as
the Washington Light Infantry Corps into
two that organization would Immediately
withdraw from the guard.
Not little time was devoted by those in
tereSted in an endsavor to reason out the
objects of the proposed change. Among
the theories advanced was one that the COM
panies at present are too weak to be efficient
and that there are more officers than are
da6 Is oil cot f<.tfh h \, -I,o
battalion comprises Dut two companies Il:
the present time; The fourth has tour, but
one, and perhaps two, of them are not what
they should be; the fifth consists of three,
and the sixth is weak to a certain extent.
Gen. Ordwny Interviewed.
General Ordway, when asked concerning
the proposed change of formation, stated
to a Star reporter that he had not heard
of and had not contemplated any such
move. He also argued to show the i'm
practicability of the scheme, and character
lied the idea as mere rumor This state
ment of the commanding general had a
strong tendency to quiet the agitated ones,
but nevertheless certain changes, in modi-
fled form, from those first suggested, are
to be made.
1t may be stated as certainty that the
first battalion is not to be affected in the
least. The second battalion, as intimated,
consists IF but two companies and Is to
o
the Corcoran Cadet Corps and the National
Rifles are to be made as strong as posSi-
BILE. The third battalion, now made up of
four companies. will be reduced to two.
This command known to some as a bat
talon of ex-high school cadets, includes
the Morton Cadets. Captain E. A. Shilling;
the Lemon Rifles. Captain l.. H. Matt;ngly,
and two companies without distinctive
names, commanded by Captains Clarence
V. Sayer and Harry d. King.
schilling Stays.
OF course, Captain Shilling of the Morton
Cadets will not be disturbed, as that COM
parry is conceded to be one of the strongest
in the brigade. 1t is no secret that Cap
tain Mattingly has been desirous of ten
derins his resignation for some weeks past
and has remained, with the understanding
that a successor would be elected as soon
as a suitable man for the position could
be secured. Captain Sayre has been alb
sent from the city for some months on
sick leave, and as Captain King has showed
great interest in the guard and has re-
Gently successfully reorsanized company d,
1t is safe to presume that he will be the
otEer company commander of the new third
battalion Captain Sayre should he desire
to remain, will naturally be given the re-
fusal of one Of the first lieutenancies
These changes in the third will be made
at an early date.
The Fourth Battalion.
The fourth battalion, now made up of the
Emmet Guard. the Hibernan Rifles, the
Campbell Light Infantry and the Ordway
Rifles, is to be reduced to three companies
so say those who claim to know. The COM
pany to go, it is generally conceded, will be
either the Hibernian Rifles or the Campbell
Light Infantry. For some time past Mai.
Sue IS command, the fifth battalion, has
consisted of but three companies, although
it was expected that fourth would be
mustered in October l. This battalion is to
remain, as at present, with three COM
panies. The organizer of the fourth, Capt.
King, is at present in Cuba, and he will
not return until next spring. AT that time
it is not improbable, nor is it prohibited,
that another company may be added to the
three. The sixth battalion, under Mai.
Bartlett. must also be reduced from four
companies to three, and the organization
to be consolidated with the others is COM
pany A. Maj. Bartlett is in no haste as re-
CARDS making the change, but will do so
when he deems proper.
The Separate Battalion.
The first separate battalion, colored, COM
manded by Maj. Revels, Is considered a
very model organization, and will not be
disturbed. neither will the separate COM
panies, which comprise the cavalry troop,
the light battery, the ambulance corps, the
cycle corps and the company Of veterans.
The changes to be made will do away
with the provision for twelve commissioned
officers. 1t Is said by some that the rea-
son for the changes are that they will pro-
vide larger companies and thereby permit
of exercises in platoon movements, which
are at present seldom, II ever, attempted,
because of the smallness Of the companies.
1t is also advanced that the commanding
general having, become convinced that a
certain class of men are fixtures in the
National Guard, and that there is a large
floating membership, has concluded to pro-
vide for the permanent members by
smaller number of companies and make use
of the floating membership as an augmen>
tation to those companies.
According to Adjutant Gen. Mosher there
is no special reason for the changes, ex-
cept that they have become necessary in
the ordinary course Of events. Whatever
may be the cause, the fact remains, that
the changes are to be made, and the Dis
trict of Columbia National Guard. in a few