Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-09
THE NATIONAL GUARD
Disposition Of the Surplus Men
Under the New Order.
GOSSIP OF TIE COMPANY QUARTERS
It Has Been decided to Declare the
Rifle Matches Off.
OF. INTERE EST

NOTES OF INTERES T
AS stated in The Star would be the case,
| general order was issued from headquar-
| tiers District of Columbia militia yesterday
providing for the consolidation of compa-
MES c and D of the third battalion, with
| companies A and B, and for the disband-
| ment of company B, fourth battalion, and
| company A. sixth battalion. Although I'M
| usual efforts were made by the powers
| that be to keep secret the changes, which
are of more than ordinary interest to the
hundreds of men affected, well as the
general public, all details of the consolda-
| ton and disbandments were correctly de-
scribed at length in Thursdays Star
Naturally the order has been the sole
topic of conversation among guardsn1en
and notN little i'll feeling has been caused
among some Of the men who are to go out
Of the service, which is also natural The
disbandment of company of the fourth
and company A Of the sixth is only ques-
ton of few days. Although the orders
for the consolidation of the companies in
the third battalion will be carried out i'm
mediately, it is as yet too early for its Of
f1cerS to venture an opinion as to how the
execution of the orders will operate. No
doubt many of the members of the dis
banded companies will elect to take their
discharges rather than submit to service
in a company for which they did not en-
list.
In fact, if all should stay, it would be
difficult matter to know what to do with
| them. The problem that confronts the
third is how best to dispose of the excel
lent extra material on hand. The member
ship is very nearly two hundred men and
these are to be organized into two COM
panies. One of these is the Morton Ca
diets, who are the owners of considerable
property and a substantial bank account.
Their initiation fee is So, and no one can
enter the company without it's consent.
The Mortoas are now sixty strong, and
are not DESTROYS of increasing their men,
bership This leaves about one hundred
and forty men to form the second company,
SO that should that company be organized
with legal maximum strength there would
still be surplus of forty men, and it is
these forty who are chasing about in the
dreams of the major of the third battalion.
His only relief Is in the possibility of find
ing that number of men who are sufficient
ly indignant over the consolidation to de-
mand their discharges.
The Consolidation Beneficial.
Aside from the general regret of losing
some of the best officers and men the con-
soidation will in many respects prove a
beneficial one. The four companies all
along have been crowded for room and
some time. BY consolidat ton this conges-
ticn is relieved and each of two companies
will have ample room. Again, under the
old organization two companies only had
the dress uniform, SO that on all public
occasions the battalion was compelled to
appear in fatigue, or else with two COM
panieS in full dress and two in fatigue, to
present a hybrid and somewhat ridiculous
appearance. This is now remedied and the
two companies are able to dress alike at
all times.
Rifle Matches Declared OFF.
Great disappointment will result from the
announcement that the much-postponed and
eagerly looked-forward-t annual rifle COM
petitions of the brigade have been declared
Off There was no other course open, how
ever, because the department of rifle prac-
tice for some time past has been entirely out
of funds, and with an Indebtedness remain
ing for work and fixtures in connection with
the outdoor range at Ordway. Because of
the continued illness of the inspector gen.
eral of rifle practice, 1t was necessary to
postpone the dates fixed for the matches,
which were in the last week of October I'M
til the middle of the present month, and
many consider the latter time too advanced
in the season for target shooting. Again, If
the competitions were held, a team from
New Jersey would come down, and quite a
little sum would be needed to properly enter
tain the visitors. Capt. James E. Bell con-
suited with the commanding general regard
ing the matter the other day, and, after
viewing the situation in all its phases, it was
decided to declare the matches off. They
will be held in the spring, probably in May.
AS sort of solace there will be big shoot
at the range Thanksgiving day. which will
wind up the outdoor season. There are to be
voluntary shooting. sweepstake matches
and turkey shoots. OF course, no orders are
to be issued, as the affair will be purely
voluntary in all respects. Arrangements
are also being made for turkey shoots in
the gallery Thanksgiving eve.
1t is earnestly urged nv the depa m MT of
rifle practice that company commanders
make their annual reports of rifle practice
for 1S94-95, which are due November 80,
without delay.
The annual presentation of sharpshooters'
crosses and marksmen buttons together
with the Hilton Trophy medals, will take
place, 1t is expected, in a few weeks.
Report of a Special Inspection.
A report of the special inspection of the
third battalion July last has been made by
Inspector General Alexander. He remarks
lack of discipline, due, in his opinion
primarily to the youth and consequent
short period of service of the enlisted men
and the difficulty of maintaining thorough
discipline among boys of that age. Atten-
ton Is also called to a neglect in the keep
ing and proper caring of clothing and
equipments and to several other defects of
minor Importance.
AS the outcome of the report, Maj. Wilson
has addressed a circular letter to his COM
pany commanders, IN Wnlcn ne states that
it is quite apparent that the age for en-
listments should be increased, and directs
that 10 enlistments be made hereafter I'M
der eighteen years. The company COM
manders re directed to at once make
thorough inspection of their rifles, and file
a written report of their condition, and it
is announced that at the end of the pres
ent month an inspection will be made by
the battalion inspector of rifle practice of
arms and equipments, and by the battalion
adjutant of books and papers, and it is ex-
rected by the major that the result of this
inspection will show that the defects indi-
Gated have been remedied.
Because of the youth of our member
Ship concludes Maj. Wilson, our bat
TALON is more closely watched than any
tother, and our faults consequently become
more conspicuous. Satisfied, as 1 am, that
material is superior to any in the bri-
gade, 1 unwilling to believe that the
same superiority cannot be made to extend
tc any military requi1 tment."
Second Regiment Officers.
A smoker Thursday evening, November
81, will take the place of the regular
monthly meeting of the Officers Associa-
ton of the second regiment, which falls on