Evening star., 1898-02-19
Jerseys Governor Extends Invitation
to Visit Sea Girt.
PROPOSITION GENERALLY APPROVED
Work in the New Armory is Pro-
crossing Steadily.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

communication from the governor of New
| Jersey, transmitted through the adjutant
general of the state, cordially inviting the
District of Columbia National Guard to
camp at Sea Girt during the coming sum-
| mer. The governor. in his letter, states
| that everything possible will be done to
add to the pleasure and convenience of
| the visitors, should they decide going 10
camp on the Jersey shore.
The exclusive announcement last Satur-
day in The Star that proposition to hold
| the coming camp at Sea Girt was under
consideration at headquarters was received
with unbounded and practically unanimous
approval throughout the ca:tre brigade.
Nearly every battalion and company COM
mander has called at headquarters during
| the week to say to the commanding general
that the proposition is all tight. One bat
talon commander gave assurance that,
should the Jersey site be selected, he would
take at least % per cent of lis men into
camp and most of the others are equally
sanguine.
Gen. Harries expects to reach conclu-
sion in regard to the camp site within 4
week or ten days. Several points in the
vicinity of this city have been suggested,
and Gen. Harries will inspect these in per-
son before he makes up his mind. In the
event that Sea Girt proves the ravorite.
the guard will know 1t in the very lear
future. Announcement will also be made
of the date of departure for camp.
What May lie Expected.
1t may be stated, even at this early date,
that every member of the National Guard
will thoroughly understand that the brigade
will go to Sea Girt, II at all, under orders.
| Every officer and enlisted man will be ex-
pected to attend the encampment, and for
the full period 1t will not be permissible
for any member of the brigade to go to
Sea Girt and spend Sunday with the COM
mand and return to Washington Monday
| morning The brigade will travel in body,
and there will be one ticket for ALL There
will be no permission granted for stop
over. In other words. every man who
leaves Washington in the uniform of the
District National Guard will return with
the guard. If man cannot go into camp
for the full period, he will not go at all.
OF course, all this. as stated, is conditional
on the decision being in favor of Sea Girt
The experience that would be gained by
loading the troops on trains the mainten-
ance of discipline en- route, and especially
while, passing through large cities, it is
conceded ny all. would prove of great value.
1t is not necessary to dwell further upon
the desirability and attra activeness of Sea
Girt as camp ground. The principal aues-
ton to be considered it seems, is that of
the cost of transportation
Work ON the New Armory.
Work mas been commenced in earnest
in the direction of remodeling the Center
Market building for the use of the District
National Guard. The veranda along the
upper floor of the arcade is we'll along
towards completion and foundations for
the locker rooms have been laid. The iron
pillars and beams have arrived, door ways
have been cut through the front of the
upper story and the foundation has been
laid for the rifle gallery in the 1th street
wing of the market building. An increased
force of workmen is to be put to work
and by the expiration of thirty days 1t is
hoped the armory will be practically in
readiness for the guard.
Court of Inquiry Appointed.
Col. Urell, commanding the I'd Regiment,
has appointed Lieut.. Col Richard A.
O'Brien, I'd Regiment; Capt. ]. E. Hos
ford, Company B, 4th Battalion. and Capt.
Sydney r. Jacobs, quartermaster, I'd Reg
iment. a court of inquiry to investigate
the conduct of First Lieutenant F. Car
roll Mattingly, Company D. 5th Battalion,
which led to the latter being relieved from
duty with his company by the commanding
officer of the battalion.
The court was appointed at the request
of Lieut.. Mattingly. The members are
directed to meet at headquarters of the
District militia, 1410-12 G street, Monday
soon thereafter as practicable. Col. Urell
further directs that the junior officer
record the proceedings and that the court.
in its report, shall state its opinion.
To he Mustered In.
The foot battery in process of organiza-
tion by Lieut.. Griffiths will be mustered
into the National Guard at o'clock Mon.
day evening, February %. The ceremony
will take place at headquarters, 141O-l2 G
street, Lieut. Col Charles H. Heyl, adjutant
general, officiating.
The battery at present numbers thirty
five members. Lieut.. Griffiths extends an
invitation to all interested to be present at
the time stated.
Inspectors of Rifle Practice
Private G. G. Dennison, Company A, 9Th
Battalion, has been directed to appear be-
fore the department Of rifle practice board
OF examination at o'clock Monday even
Ing next in order that the board may de-
| termine his qualifications for commission
as first lieutenant and inspector of rife
practice Of the 5th- Battalion
Ihe appointment of Private Dennison as
inspector OF rifle practice of the 9Th Bat
talon means that First Lieutenant Luther
n Reichelderfer will be transferred to the
"a Battalion as inspector of rifle practice
Although Maj. Anderson has not vet an
nounced any changes in his staff, it is r1I-
mored that First Lieutenant J. Bruce Webh
quartermaster Of the I'd Battalion. will he
the new adjutant.
Armorfes in the South.
The Fifth Regiment Georgia Volunteers
or Atlanta, are to have a new armory
building. They have purchased the old
Granite Hotel, and will remodel it to sui,
the needs Of the regiment Every COM
pany will be given a suite of rooms be-
sides the large auditorium for the drill.
nail and the gymnasium in the basement
and all the parlors Of the regiment, libra
rIes reception rooms and all the things to
make 1t as pleasant a place as can be had
| for the men.
Jacksonville, Fla, has Just rendered 10
| its three National Guard companies q
| beautiful new armory which cost S25, 600.
Requirements In Nebraska.
In Nebraska it is now necessary for an
/ officer to secure his commission In the
| National Guard to pass an examination
| as to physical condition. character and pro-
fessional efficiency. In Virginia when q
| member of the National Guard refuses to
| attend drill without cause, and awaits his
| dishonorable discharge. he generally gets
| something else with 1t, and recently six
members were tried by court-martial and
| fined from $2 to so and dishonorably dis
| charged.
Decorations i'm Massachusetts.
| All military decorations issued in Massa-