Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-17
THE NATIONAL RIFLES.
Lieut.. Evans Says All Will BE Well
When the Court Decides.

VI men the Court Decides,
Lieut.. Geo. W. Evans of the National Ri
lies. in a statement written to The Star IN
regard to the property affairs of the com
pany, deplores the statements that have
been published as representing the ma
JCrty' and the ''minority' of the organiza-
ton, and says both statements are .nisrep-
reservations.
The case has been" he says. taken to
court for an opinion as TO what can or cam
rot be done. l am willing TO wait for its
decision and will cheerfully abide by the
result whatever it may be. /, however
wish to correct the statement of the rep
resentaive of the majority in the r, pre-
sentation he has made 20 my position on
ms question. l am not in favor of bonding
the corporation and never have been
am against the proposed dissolution of the
present corporation. and always have been
and believe that the same should stand as
Incorporated in 1852. for twenty years, Until
the expiration of tie same in 1902 l do
not think that | have any vested right in
the National Rifles property l worked and
labored hard for several years with other
good members to help accumulate a fund
TO build home for the National Rifles per-
pctually, and never thought and do not
now think, that I have any right or titIa
TO share in the aforesaid property NV
earnest wish and hope has always been
that 1t would continue the home and prop
erty Of the National Rifles, and not that
OF a Few men who have lately formed a
close corporation, which | opposed snd in
effect declared that it is their property and
not that of the National Rifles COMPANY
However and wha tever the result NAV
hnally be, L am not one Of those pessi-
m1sts in the organization that believe that
If things don't go their way whatever the
way may be. the National Rifles will ex-
piece, dlsband, cease to be military or
ganlZation, dissolve into a social club or
that its monetary affairs will be seriously
impaired or business conditions become
Frustrated. or fail hereafter to be conduct
ed, as heretofore, in busnesSiike manner
The company will survive all this ae:ts-
ton and continue to do business at the
old stand, and meet all it's obligations
with that same degree of promptness as
mas always been done. We VIII not go in
20 ,he names OF receiver either. No fnan-
cial deficits will occur. The company is in
a good healthy condition. and will continue
so. We have had these troubles before
curing our sixteen years life. and have
Always found a way to overcome them
ihis suit to determine the property oues-
uon VIII not disrupt matters or iniure any
one. There is no fight on hand among the
members, as has been stated, and whatever
tne decision of the court may be am sure
that all will be satisfied and will go on and
work as pleasantly and as harmoniousIv
as heretofore for the welfare and prosner-
::ty of the National Rifles We are not a
no aiV1ded among ourselves. 1t is true
we differ on this property question. hut If
is an honest, friendly difference We are
not the enemies Of each other in the or
sanlzation. On the contrary we are all
true and steadfast friends and compan-
IONS; and whatever the outcome of the
property question, will continue to re-
main friends. companions and soldiers. We
are not tired Of doing our duty, and will
continue to remain in active service. am
probably the Oldest member in the com
pany, but my age did not Interfere with
my taking a gun and going in the ranks
and participating in the great competitive
drill at st. Louis last year, ror did fail
to drill or fall down in a faint on that
memorable hot day in the competition. To
be sure we will keep up our military
status as an Independent company, the
National Rifles, and we will also maintain
our National Guard comrany in good
shape. and 1 will be in both for MANY
years yet, I sincerely hope. performing ac-
tive and faithful duty. The public can
therefore be assured that we are not GO
ing TO break up or d;sband on account of
the trouble that now confronts U.S. have
been to the front In all the affairs and
fights of the National Rifles, from it's or
ganization to date, and have not vet lost
my courage. We will come out of this
matter all right and then 1 believe every
mNmber Will he satisfied and peace will
reign"