Evening star., 1899-03-04
THE NATIONAL GUARD
Awaiting a Decision as to New Ad-
iutant General.
ANXIOUS TO HAVE STREET PARADES
Several Matters of Interest Re-
garding Rifle Practice.
ATCHES FOR RICH

The District of Columbia National Guard
is still anxiously awaiting a decision as to
who will he detailed to act as its adjutant
general. In this connection, it may be
stated that General Harries having re-
newed his recommendation and efforts
toward securing the services of Captain J.
A. Dapray, 23d United States Infantry, who
was the acting adjutant general of the Dis
trict militia last fall, the hope is generally
entertained that that efficient and very ac-
ceptable officer may be finally assigned to
the position One thing is sure. the guard
has never had a better or more useful
friend than Captain Dapray, whose splendid
work during the time he was actively ell
gagged with the guard undoubtedly con-
tributed materially to further the plans ana
purposes of the commanding general 1or
the resuscitation and rehabilitation of the
brigade which by reason of the peculiar
circumstances Of the recent war had tecCfne
more or less disorganized and upset ASIDE
from his eXFerienc" and capacity IN the
lire of duty. which now so lmperauNe4y
calls for a competent and acceptable ofticer
to meet the situation. Captain DaDray, De-
ing an old resident of Washington ana per
sOnally acquainted with 50 many oi tie
officers and men of the guard, makes MIN
especially persona grata to the brigade
The order detaching Captain Dapray IRON
duty in this city having been considerateiy
suspended on account u lllt NAib4Gf'i ~
ness of his mother he practically remains
on duty with the guard. AS matter OF
fact however the illness of his mother mas
been of such a serious nature as to make
il impossible for him to give any active at
tention to National Guard matters during
the past few weeks.
Civic Rules and Regulations
Among the matters now pending for early
adjustment at headquarters is the sub
ject Of the right of the National
Guard organizations to adopt civic
rules and regulations not fully in accord
with the military law and regulations gov
erning the guard. This matter has caused
more or less embarrassment at different
times and its definite settlement is re-
garded as of paramount importance. Inc
fact is recalled that under the general
license in such matters OF civic consutu-
tions a private in an organization. now de-
funct, became the captain or president OF
the civic organization; that is, While the
company for all military purposes Was
commanded by its regularly commissioned
captain. in its civic relations, which were
too closely allied to the military to be
wholly discovered. it was commanded by a
private. The same condition OF things IS
said 10 be possible. If not actually the case,
at the present time in certain existing or
ganiZatiOns. and the matter will probably
assume a shape at an early day. when
definite rules and regulations will issue
Advantage of street Parndes.
There has been more or less desire ex
pressed on the part of the friends of the
National Guard TO see some street parades-
Some months ago pessimistic views were
quite general regarding the guard, and the
alleged innocuous desuetI1e in which it
had fallen and would more deeply fall. AS
a matter of fact, however. Gen. Harries
and his military assistants proved them
selves equal to the admitted conditiors of
encouragement and threatened disorgani-
zatiOn. and have so completely reViviEed
the guard that it is on sound footing
today as ever before in its history. Only
recently II has been reunifOTmed and re-
armed. and although. for Il number Of
months previous to ard including last sum-
mer. assemblies and drills were totally dis
continued. and to u certain extent indiffer
emily conducted. very different and mere
promising condition of things Eow exists.
All the organizations of the guard are reg
ularly assembled on prescribed nights, and
the drills are being conducted in 4 most
satisfactory manner
Gen. Harries also adopted 4 Plan by
which Il system of tallyiHg reports are
made. y large blackboard has ncen placed
in the drill hall. upon which organization
commanders will b. required TO record on
drill nights the number Of mcu present at
and absent from drill duration of drill. ard
forth. a paper transcript of this black
board record will he made by the superin-
tendent of the armOTy, and in this way
militia headquarters will be kept cons tantly
informed of the work actually performed
-,
old system, for the monl hly reports of
drills. always more or less delayed by their
transmission through military channels.
The guard is believed to he in a condition
to show themselves most favOraDly 10 the
citizens of the national capital at any time
n parade might be ordered and it was 4
matter Of regret that the contempIate ed
turnout on Washingt0n's birthday was pre-
vented by the unusual and severely in
clement weather at that time. 1t Is not
unlikely, however. that the generally eX-
sSed desire to see the guard ON the
streets Of Washington may soon be met
1t is argued by SOM that after every
parade Of the civic-military organizati Jrs
recruitment becomes more active and salts
factory. as the drum and the fife and mar
tial array Of comrades under arms all tend
TO quicken the impulses of those who
though holding thems Ives in reserve fee
keen desires to identify themselves with
the local military. One officer who is n
falr judge in such matters. recently made
the prediction that within week after a
general parade of the District Of Columbia
National Guard every vacancy row exist
Ing could be filled by the enlistment of de-
sirable men While there are not vacancies
enough at present to cause any anxiety or
apprehension, il is OF course always deslr-
able 10 Keep organiza tions as near as Dos
siole at their maximum strength, and this
fact has been impressed upon the various