The times., 1897-08-08


the river TO Marshall Hall upon the ex-
cursion given by the Morton Cadets yes
terday could be accepted as final, that
gallant coinpany would easily receive the
first prize in all contests, not only for
drilling, but as painstaking hosts
Everything that could be desired was
done to further the pleasure of the large
crowd OF friends and admirers who took
advantage OF the excursion 10 make the
Tip, andn appearances may be trusted, an
who went down had an enjoyable time
The events of the day, however, were the
two drills, one IN the afternoon and the
other at night, given by the cadets in
exact reproduction of the one given by
them in the recent interstate drill at an
Antonio, Texas.
IL a doubt fingered IN The minds OF any
OF the spectators that the cadets had some
ground upon which 10 base their protest
that they received the second instead OF
the first prize it was dispelled by the
drill which they put up at Marshall Ha II,
which, taking into considera ton some
handicaps under which the boys labOTed,
was weIl-nigh perfect.
The company. which comprised the full
roster precisely as il was in San Antonio,
went down on the 2:30 boat which also
carried a fair load OF passengers. AS
the passengers were fairly landed, the
company formed for the drill on the
large La WI hack of the old dancing pa
yillon.
As they marched on the ground, dressed
in their natty cadet coats and duck rTou-
sers, they presented a neat and truly sol
dier-like appearance, and were greeted with
round after round of applause They
first halted in column and then Went
through the manual OF arms. In the fir
ing blank cartridges Were used, as at San
Antonio, and the comment upon this
feature of their work was especially Ia
vorable, the guns in every instance being
discharged with q single report.
The marching evoIut,ons followed Here,
If comparison may be made, the company
showed especially the result of their
Thorough and continuous practice. The
alignment was perfect. and the movements
made with absolute uniformity. The night
and left flank movements which elected
tonic were repeated to great applause
The large crowd which had gathered
on the lawn closed in On the Company
and interfered somewhat with the drill.
but on tie whole it was as perfect work
as h as been seen in Washington for many
years. number of officers frcin the
War Depart tment went down ON the Nacal-
ester especially to witness the drill and
at it's close they crowded around Capt.
Shilling and warmly congratulated him
upon the form shown by his men. The
drill, the officers, said, was as Clean cut
and as well executed as it could nave
been had the company been composed OF
trained veterans.
The drill in the night took place in the
dancing pavilion, and was. if anything, a
shade better than the one in the after
noon On the lawn This was nearly the
same as the San Antonio manual, but the
blank cartride firing was omitted, and the
confined space precluded some Of the
column movements. The floor, which had
been waSed for dancing, also in a few
instances interfered with the accuracy of
the movements
The spectators who We're Gro owffed around
the balconies, however. were quick u make
allow ance for the difficulties and rev ard ed
each evolution with loud applause and
cheers. The drin over. the men were
| marched out of the hall the order. Break
ranks" given, and the rest of the evening
given over to dancing and joIlity.
The excursion was an entire success
not only from an artistic, but also from
a financial, standpoint. and no doubt the
company viii be greatly helped in dis
charging the debt incurred by the trip to
San Antonio.
With this excursion the labors OF the
| Morton Cadets for this season are ended,
| as they last night disbanded for three
months to take rest from their extended
| labors.