Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-10
A Condition. of Absolute Inactivity
Prevails at Present.
RIFLE PRACTICE NEXT IN ORDER
New Code That is Disturbing ILL.,
nois MiIitiamen.
RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEET

With the exception of Company B, I'd
Battalion. the District of Columbia Ma
tional Guard is to all intents and purposes
at complete standstin. This condition of
absolute inactivity is apt to continue for
some weeks to come. The details and
schedule for the official rifle practice on
the Ordway range are being perfected. as
are the arrangements for the big meet OF
the National Rifle Association in Septem-
Der. Announcement in this regard will be
made during the next few days.
A board Of officers consisting of Major
Charles H. ourand, inspector general;
Capt. Richard ]. Donnelly, adjutant 1st
Regiment, and Capt, Alfred P. Robbins
aid-de-camp, in obedience to special orders,
met at the armory at $3.50 o'clock this
afternoon TO inspect and pass upon the con-
dition of a large quantity of ordnance and
quartermaster property that is considered
unfit for further service. This Is taken
to mean that the local brigade in the near
future will be provided with something new
In the way of equipment. All that may be
forthcoming is very much needed.
The prospects of at least one troop of
cavalry for the guard appear very bright
Active steps in the direction of organiza-
ton are being taken. and something tangi-
BILE is expected to appear in evidence very
soon.
On their own applications the following
enlisted men were discharged during the
week: Private Eugene K. Stewart, Com
pany A, LIST Battalion; Private Geo. ].
Stinzing, Company B, 1st Battalion, and
Private Charles H. Boarman, Company b,
9Th Battalion. Private G. Albert Taylor.
Company b, list Battalion. has been dis
charged because Of removal from the Dis
trict.
The members of Company c, 9th Bat
TALON, have arranged to entertain their
fria OF 1oxx- tn II,
ing, July q and y.
Illinois Guard Wrought Up.
The National Guard of the state of ILL.,
nois is somewhat wrought up over the new
military code of the state that has Just
been put into effect. The matter is one of
interest to the members of the local bri-
gade, as we'll of the National Guard gen.
orally. The new code is almost as strin-
gent as tie articles of war and regulations
of the regular army. Indeed, it provides
that in the absence of any other authority,
officers shall proceed in accordance with
and be governed by the regulations of the
permanent establishment. This fact, cou-
pied with the greatly increased power of
the officers, is making the men in the ranks
do deal Of squirming just now.
1t is all right to be q member of the Ma
tional Guard as long as the power of the
officers to punish Is limited to dismissal
from the service, it is said. But when the
law provides that these same officers may
cause arrest, trial and conviction of mill
tary offenses and assess fine of s. or
500, 1t is different. This smacks alto
gether too much of the life of the follower
of Uncle Sans flag. Volunteers do not
think they should be subjected to the same
strictness of discipline as those who enlist
and expect to place themselves wholly at
the disposal of their superiors. Yet the
boys say that the evident purpose of their
officers is to bring about such a state of af-
a g Va he anil cfRd 10
better than a regular soldier. Severe penal
ties are provided in the new law for all
violations Of military regulations. Fines
may be assessed by courts-martiaf and col
lected on the warrant OF the Judge advo-
cate thereof as they are collected under the
warrants of a police magistrate or justice
of the peace. This is the feature which is
CALLING the spirits of the men.
Whether or not this law would stand .he
test of the courts is not being discussed.
The men object to being placed in a quasi
criminal position and subjected to the same
degree of punishment as the $13 a month
soldiers Of the regular army. They reason
with force that they are socially equal 20
their officers, and that their duties In the
guard do not require Of them that abs
social ostracism which the regular soldier
must submit to when he dons the regula-
ton blue. They object to the apparent. at
tempt to turn the volunteer guards into a
body OF troops who must submit to any or
der issued by superior, regardless of the
eHeEt Oh tEelT business interests or SOcial
standing. Here is the rub.
Provisions Of the Code.
Among other things. the new code pro-
v:des:
1.-THE commanding officer Of each regi-
ment. battalion, company. troop or battery
msy order weekly evening drills.
THE commander-in-chief may order q
tour Of camp duty of not less than six nor
more than ten DAYS annually.
THE commanding officer of any camp or
parade may cause those under his COM
mand to perform any camp or field duty he
shall require, and may put under arrest,
during such encampment or parade. any
member of his command who shall disobey
a superior officer or be guilty of disorderly
or unmilitary conduct
These sections are said to open a wide
field for the exercise of the authority of
the officers. They make them autocrats In
the armory, field or on the streets during
parades or ceremonies. Every act which
under the regulations of the regular army
might be construed as prejudicial to good
OF der and discipline, although the result Of
boyish indiscretion, puts the offender un-
der the ban, provided his officer sees fit to
call him to account. While none OF the
members of any of the regiments objects
to the maintenance OF proper discipline and
efficiency, none is willing to become the
tool Of the man he helped to elect to Office.
But here is the portion Of the law which
grinds:
Fines md imprisonment.
Following are a few Of the new things the
Illinois guardsman is called upon to face:
General courts-martial for the trial of
commissioned officers shall be- ordered by
the commander-in-chief and shall consist
of thirteen officers.
General courts-martial for the trial Of
enlisted men shall be ordered by the bril-
gade commander, and shall consist Of i've
officers.
THE commanding officer Of any regiment
or unassigned battalion may appoint sum-
mary court, to consist of one officer Of his
command for the trial of enlisted men.
"A general court-martial shall have juris-
ciction to try all offenses against military
law. breaches of order or discipline or me-
glect of duty. On conviction OF any such
offenses the court may impose one or more
Of the following punishments: Cashierment
end Dismissal OF officers, reduction Of nom
commissioned officers to the ranks, reprf-
mand, dfshonorable discharge, with or
without disqualification from holding Office
under the state; fine not exceeding $780,
and, in default Of payment. Imprisonment
In the county jail not exceeding thirty days.
"A summary court-martial shall have
jurisdiction to try minor offenses against
military discipline, and upon conviction the
court may impose one or more Of the fol-
lowing punishments: Reprimand, forfeiture