Evening star., 1897-01-09
Troubles Of the Morton Cadets at an
End,
some OF TIE BOLTERS DISCHARGED
Prospects for a Drill Hall Within
a Short Time.
N EED OF A STIMULANT

The troubles of Company A, Sd Battalion
the Morton Cadets-so far as the National
Guard status of the organization is con-
cerned, are at an end. By special orders
NO. l, paragraph l, headquarters District
OF columbia militia, dated January 2, Pri-
Yates J. Paul Chauncey, William Clabaugh,
r. oscar Grayson, George F. Plugge
Charles Ravenburg and William M. Wag-
ner OF the bolting faction were discharged
from the National Guard in the interest
of the service.
Privates Harry R. Sisson and Milton
OConnell were favored with good luck
and will receive honorable discharges, free
from the interest of the service clause,
by rather queer turn of affairs The
terms of enlistment of Privates Sisson and
O'Connell expired December 27, 1896
Capt. Shiing's request that they be dis
charged in the interest Of the service was
dated December 23 In its circ,1itous route
through military channels it was SO de-
layed that 1t did not reach headquarters
until December 80, three days after the
expiration of the term of service of the
men in question Capt. Shilling's request,
therefore, could not legally be complied
with, as, according to the enlistment
papers, their term of service expired De-
cember II, and their right to discharge
was complete, unless proceedings with
commenced against them.
therefore, there is no other course open
TO Capt. Shilling than to issue to Privates
Sisson and O'Connell honorable discharges
as of December q, 1896, by reason of "ex-
piration of term of service" No further
steps have been taken looking toward
Strengthening out Of the civil affairs of
the organization.
Prospects of n Drill Hall.
1t is rumored that the National Guard
will again be permitted to use Convention
Hall for drill purposes within a fortnight.
According to the reports the ice skating
rink is to be closed at least for two even
ings in each week. In view Of the ap-
preaching inaugural parade and the neces-
among the companies of the guard such
turn of affairs would undoubtedly be well
coined.
Good Work by the Band.
The Second Regiment Band, which kind
ly volunteered Its services to the inaugural
committee, in order that the acoustic prop
critics of the court Of the pension office
building might be tested Tuesday evening
last, created a most favorable impression.
The band rendered several selections in an
artistic manner, and all were highly ap-
preciated by the fortunate few present as
spectators, especially an echo number.
DepredatiOns at the ArmOry.
Thefts at the armory are growing to be
almost daily occurrence, well as
matter Of serious consideration and an
noyance to company commanders and
others. Recently a vase, a picture, a
basket ball and a punching bag were
purloined from the quarters of Company
A, I'd Battalion, and several of the ndi-
vidual lockers of the members of that COM
pany broken open. A new punching bag
has also been stolen from the gymnasium
of the National Guard Athletic Associa-
ton.
Several weeks ago the locker room as
signed to the staff and line officers of the
Sd Battalion was forcibly entered and
large quantity of government and private
property surreptitiously removed. A close
watch is being maintained in the hope
that the guilty parties may be apprehend-
ed.
Need of IL Stfmulant.
There has been a vacuum in the matter
Of rifle practice during the past two weeks
Voluntary practice has not been INDUCED
in to any noticeable extent, and the Off
GERS of the department of rifle practice are
not at all pleased thereat. They express
the hope that an awakening all along the
line will occur at no distant date.
A quantity of supplies consisting of bull
let's and the like. have finally arrived,
month overdue. This turn of affairs has
removed the indication that prevailed to
the effect that a sort of famine in the way
of ammunition was imminent.
The match In the gallery between COM
pany teams will be shot Thursday and
Friday OF next week, January IA and Is
The battalion match for January Is sched-
uled for the 21st instant, and the regi-
mental match for the 18th instant.
Series of Band Concerts.
The Officers Association Of the Second
Regiment, at its postponed meeting Tues
day evening last decided to accept the
proposition to employ Contours Ninth Reg
iment Band of New York city to give
series of concerts during inaugural week.
After the adjournment of the association
the officers of the I'd Regiment met and ap-
proved the action of the association. The
concerts will be given under the auspices
OF the I'd Regiment, and the contract is to
be signed by Lieut. Col. Urell and forward
ed to New York within the next few days.
A committee consisting of Mai. E. r.
Campbell, Capt. H. H. Parmenter, Capt. o.
q. Simonson, Lieut.. Donald b. Mcleod and
manage the concerts They will be held in
Center Market Hall on the evenings of .
March ], 2, 3, 4, 5 and g.
The Officers Association approved the
recommendation of the committee appoint-
ed several months ago, that the bylaws Of
the organization be changed as to pro-
vide that the initiation fee shall be 81 and
the quarterly dues 10 cents.
hhSheerH GrOw energetic.
At meeting of the officers of the En-
gineer Corps Monday evening last business
like preparations were made to greatly in
crease the efficiency of the organiza tion in
view of the approaching inaugural parade
AS one Of the officers expressed 1t, the en-
gineers mean to hustle with unprece-
dented energy from now on. At the con-
clusion of the meeting the officers received
Instruction in the new manual Of arms by
First Lieut.. Glendie B. Young, and this in
novation is to be continued indefinitely
First Lieut.. Frank l.. Gra ham will conduct
a sword drill. A drill of the battalion it
Is announced, will take eplace this evening
after the ordered rifle practice Is concluded
The position Of the ,Engineer Corps as
regards drilling" said Maj. .IGilbert Thomp-
son, who has just returned to the city after
an extended absence, to Star reporter
yesterday. is somewhat misunderstood.
There are always quite number Of men
in all military centers who have gone
through good deal of active service in
the regular volunteer forces, including
other military organizations, who would
like to come into the militia If they could
be relieved in measure from drill, and de-
vote more time to rifle practice or to some
other special branch of military art. Every