Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-10
THE BLUES ELECTION
CAPT. AINsLIE, LIEUT. CHEAT
WOOD. AND sERG'T HAZEN.
MEETING or The ASSOCIA TON.
Committee Appointed to Arrange
for the Celebration OF the 10Th
Auniyersnry-why the battalion
VIII Not Go to Washington.

The election to supply the places Of re-
firing officers in the Blues Battalion
took place last night at the Armory, on
Ninth street Much interest had been
evinced in the event, and for some time
past the competition between the several
candidates has been very spirited.
The election was by ballot. and Colonel
John Bell Bigger was the presiding Off
Ger. There were forty members OF Com
pany A present, but the three candi-
dates-Messrs. Cheatwood, Hazen. and
Klein-abstained from voting. Second
Lieutenant L. l.. Cheatwood was unani-
Eously elected first lieutenant to succeed
'Weutenant Frank NJ. Woon. The cleo
Won for the second lieutenancy brought
about very exciting contest between
Sergeants Klein and Hazen. The former
was nominated Dy Private Charles Page
and the latter BIZ Private Claude Dean.
Sergeant Klein was elected on the first
ballot by twenty-six votes, Sergeant
Hazef receiving eleven votes.
The result of the election TO fill the
vacancy caused by the appointment OF
Captain Shafer as adiutant Of the bat
talon came as a mild surprise 10 many
OF the members.
Captain George Alnsle. who retired
about two years ago. was unanimously re-
elected to fill the vacant position.
Captain Ainslle expressed his gratlfica-
ton at the compliment, and agreed to
take the matter under consideration.
THE ASSOCIATION MEETS.
The Blues Association held a meeting
later in the evening, and reelected Major
Il. w. Richardson president Colonel j.
Bell Bigger, vice president; Captain
Vaughan. treasurer, and ID. A. Richie,
secretary.
At a meeting Of the association. held
subsequently, the election Of Captain
Ainslie and Lieutenants Cheatwood ana
Klein was ratified.
The president was authorized to appoint
a committee TO make arrangements for
the celebration Of the one hundred and
fourth anniversary Of the association on
May 1O,h.
The Blues Battalion Is in a first-class
condition-thoroughly disciplined and Is
acknowledged to be one of the best mill
tary organizations in this country-both
as to their skin I'm military tactics and
their soldierly bearing.
Company B has now a membership OF
fifty-six, and room for only five more.
Company has forty-nine members,
and room for only twelve recruits.
MAY ATTEND THE UNWILLING.
Much debate has been occasioned in the
battalion by the proposition that they
should attend the inaugural on March attn.
A round-trip rate Of a dollar and quar-
ter had been secured and the expense OF
the trip would have been merely nominal
The sentiment, however, was much
averse 10 the trip for several reasons
which We're told to a Dispatch reporter
by Major Cutchins last night. In the first
place, he said, the Blues do not like to go
on iunketng trips The choice had TO be
made between the trip 10 Washington and
the trip TO New York TO attend the cere-
monies incident TO the unveiling Of the
Grant monument, as employers would OBJ
ject to many excursions of the kind, and
the consensus of opiuion was in favor Of
the New York trip. The journey 10 Wash
ington would only give the men a very
short time in the capital city, and most
Of that time they would be on duty, so
they would not derive much pleasure
from II. Then, too, said Major Cutchins,
although political feeling is not as ran
corous as IL used TO be, still the boys OBJ
ject TO taking part In the inauguration OF
Republican President.
The Blues are looking forward TO trip
to Nashville at the forthcoming Confede-
rate reunion, and the three journeys are
out Of the question so it has been prac-
tically decided to abandon the proposition
TO attend the inaugural