The evening times., 1896-05-14

Upwards OF 600 school boys in military
uniform from the grammar schools or Ne W
York city Will arrive in this city tomorrow
evening.
The lads are members of the American
Guard an organization of pupils OF the
public schools OF the metropolis who pride
themselves upon their knowledge OF military
tactics. Two companies, comprising the
first battalion, under the guidance or
Col II. Ii. Adams, will spend three days to
gether in looking up the historic scenes of
the capital and acquaiuting themselves
with the departments OF the government.
Col. Adams is chief aid on the staff of
Commanderin-C Chief Walker of the G. A. r.,
and has special charge of the drills and mill
tary work OF the pupils of the American
Guards, in New YORK city.
They will arrive at O'Clock by special
train over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
and will be met at the depot BY Col W. W.
Eldridge, special aid TO the coInfnander-in-
chief of the G. A. r., in charge of military
Instructions in the public schools, De-
partment of the Potomac, who has been con-
Quoting the arrangements at this end, and
has been engage Tor the past six weeks IN
completing details for their entertainment
They VIII also be received by the Cor
coran Cadets. with the band or the Can
ton OF the Potomac, L. o. o. F., and es-
corted to the Hotel Regent, which will
be made their headquarters during their
sta ) here.
THE PLANS LONG MADE.
The trip to Washington was planned
more than year ago, and the boys have
been saving their spare change In expcc-
tation ever since. for they are to bear their
own expenses. Nothing is allowed them
from the school funds, as they are not or
ganized as a part of the school system,
except by consent OF the school board of
New York.
THE drilling has been done entirely out
side OF school hours, and the duties Of the
guard have not been allowed to infringe
upon their studies. Just what the program
of events will be and the time OF each viii
be announced later, but arrangements have
been made for all exhibition drill, re-
crption by President Cleveland, visit to
the Treasur vaults. and also to the various
other departments and to Congress.
FOR THE BOYS PLEASURE.
An excursion will also be given the boys
down the river to Mount Vernon and the
tomb OF Washington. stops being made, both
en- route and returning, at Alexandra,
where they VIII visit Christ Church, the
Marshall House. where Col Ellsworth was
killed; Braddock's mansion and other In
, tcrcsting points.
1t is also expected that the battalion will
be given d reception by the High School
Cadets. VINO are in hopes OF some day,
through the consent OF Congress, becoming
allied with the National American Guards.
Upon leaving New York they will be
escorted by the Lafayette Post, Il. A. r.,
No. 40. who are the promoters Of tie
excursion.
The organization OF the American Guards
Is due to movement inaugurated by the
grand encampment of the q. A. R., held
three years ago at Indiana polls, and since
| that time efforts have been made by prom
| inent officers OF the body as well as COM
| manders in the regular army to influence
| legislation looking toward d similar or
gauization in the schools Throughout the
country.
In the Fifty-third Congress n bill was
introduced by Representative Cultivate
OF Ohio providing that ;he President should
have authority to appoint officers OF the
regular army 10 conduct military drill in
schools OF 500 pupils or over when the
local authorities should request that such
be done.
THE BILL IN CoNGRES5.
The bill failed IN ne brought 10 vote.
and a si.4IIiar measure was tins session IN
troduced by Representative Hull and Sen
| at,s,r Ha wiley. OF the House and Senate Com
| mittees on Military fairs.
| The bill is now on the calendar of each
| house. and the promoters hope it viii
| be reached before the adjournment OF
! Congress
| one purpose of the visit OF the boys
| here at this time. besides the oStensibie
object of stimulating patriotism by visits
| TO historic places, is to impress Congress
| with the display, and thus win over friends
| and supporters TO the idea OF establishing
| similar movements in other cities
The ages of the young soldiers run from
| fourteen to eighteen years, and CORE
! spond to the seventh grades in this city.
| The boys have been studying GIVES for the
| past three years. and have a 20 ID kno wledEe
| OF the manner in which the government Is
| conducted. and their jaunt here Is intended
| to give them practical illustration of its
| workings.
The boys have been drilled for months
| with this idea before them-that the Presi
| dent and Congress VIII watch their action
| sharply while on parade. Each boy feels
| that the " hole future ofthe American uard
| rests on his own small shoulders.