Evening star., 1896-02-29
lumbia militia and National Guard, without

lumbia militia and National Guard, without
regard to continuity.
the retired list under the provisions of the
proposed act, it ID Stipulated, shall be en-
titled to wear the Uniform Of their rank
and grade on the d6te Of their retirement
and shall occupy SUCH place in ranks with
the command froma which retired on all
occasions Of parade or ceremony as may
be determined up6h by the commanding
general, but the attendance at parades and
ceremonies shall be voluntary and not COM
pulsory. al.
bill shall be eligible to perform duty as
members Of courts lof inquiry and boards
manding officer of the organization. from
which retired, and shall be exempt from
all other military duty.
Major suess' Views.
The proposed bill is. now going the rounds
of the regimentaI and battalion command
ers of the District Guard for an expression
of their views, and 1t is accompanied by
the following letter from Major suess:
For the sole purpose of advancing the
prestige and usefulness of the National
Guard of the District of Columbia, 1 have
drawn up the inclosed bill. 1t has occur
red to me that by some such legislation
the members Of the National Guard who
have grown old or otherwise unfit for ac-
tive service could retire. leaving their
places places to be filled @ by younger or more en-
influence and interest in National Guard
affairs would not be withdrawn.
The plan works admirably in a number
OF states, and will no doubt have the same
effect here, should 1t become a law.
THE position is a fit one in which To end
long and honorable career as a National
Guardsman, and solicit your earnest con-
slderation and favorable Endorsement"
Maj. Suess is of the opinion that a re-
tired list in the National Guard will ad-
vance the general interest in the organize
ton in many ways. AS at present sit
uateo' ne says. an 0fficer Is elected on ac-
count Of his capabilities and military quail
if1cations: he goes to the expense Of uni
forming himself. and for years deyotes his
time, energy and money to building up his
command. At the conclusion Of FIVE or
more years service he may become inca
pacitated for the further performance of
military duty, or he may have reached an
age when active service becomes too ar
duous. and. in justice to himself and his
command, he resigns and retires to private
life. without any compensation, and often
times not even thanks for the years of
hard work performed in the interest of the
National Guard. This is hardly fair, and
certainly not just, states Maj. Suess; and
the same thing may be said Of the enlisted
men, who are also provided for in the bill.
The bill does not entail the expenditure
OF one cent of money; it simply gives the
retired officers and enlisted men a legal
status. and, in the opinion of Maj. Suess,
should command the support of every one
interested in the National Guard.
The brigadier general commanding, 1t is
said. Views the proposition with favor, and
would, no doubt have created retired list
before this could it have been done with
out further legislation.
1t Is the intention Of Mai Suess to OBJ
tain the opinion of every battalion and
regimental commander, and then submit
the bill to Gen. Ordway for his considera-
tion. revision and approval. with view to
having 1t enacted into law.
The bill has already been passed upon by
Maj. Campbell of the fourth battalion and
Maj. Bartlett of the sixth battalion and is
now in the hands of Maj. Ross of the first
battalion. Maj. Campbell indorsed the bill
as follows: Il most heartily concur in all
of the foregoing" Maj. Bartlett said: II
heartily approve Of the bill in general but
would make the service continuous"
Notes.
Captain James F. Bell, inspector Of rifle
dress the Rifle Association of the ,hird
battalion this evening OH the general sub
ject of rifle practice.
The stag party of company A, second
battalion. announced for the evening OF
February %, was postponed until next
month.
An election of captain. irst and second
lfeutenants in company c, fifth battalion
has been ordered for Monday evening next
Major Suess will preside. First Lieuten-
ant James l.. Mock. adiuIant of the bat
TALON, has been assigned to the temporary
command Of the new company.