The times., 1899-06-22
THE TROUBLE IN
THE DISTRICT GUARD
A Belief That a New COM
mander Is Needed.
Danger That the Organization May
Go to Pieces.
The Climax of Discomfort Reached
in the Recent Episode at
Camp 0rdway.

Trouble is growing in the District Ma
tionaI Guard, and unless change in the
personnel of the general commanding that
body is made the indications are that the
organization will go TO pieces and go down
into history as a has been"
The cause Of the trouble began when the
First Regiment, District of Columbia Vol
unteers, returned from the front, and has
been increasing in volume each month un-
til the recent action of the general COM
manding toward Col. r. a. 0Brien az
Camp ordway last week capped the climax
and caused patience TO resign from its po
sition as virtue. The grumbling and dis
satisfaction have swelled into a torrent of
abuse, and the bulk of the membership of
the Guard have decided that change in
commanders must be made or many resig-
nations will be certain TO follow.
Everywhere is the same consensus of
opinion against arbitrary rulings, unmil
itary actions, and petty Determinations
and partiality. Unless some change lis
made, and made at once, it is argued, the
Guard will be completely disorganized and
pass cut OF existence. Both officers and
things and state that they cannot stand
the ordeal much longer. The present COM
manding general, it is said, must go, and
go at once. His unpopularity has become
so apparent that even the small boys on
the street know who to cheer and who to
hiss and jeer, and it is not probable that
military organization can exist under such
conditions.
A prominent officer, in speaking of the
feeling against the general commanding
stated last night that he would resign
rather than be subjected TO ridicule and
comment from the men in his command.
The boys are all right said he, and
to the Guard and the cause are loyal 10 a
man, but they hate such actions as that
which occurred at Camp ordway, affecting
Colonel O'Brien. The latter is very popu-
lar and has always acted the man and the
soldier, and his reduction in their eyes is
too much. They have followed their he
roes despite the presence of hated officers,
because of war and need for action and
discipline. but they are ordinary civilians
once more and the old tactics will not
work. nor will the old oppression be
borne.
- do not know just what to do. The
Guard should not be disorganized because
OF the presence of one despised officer but
unless he resigns or is gotten out in some
way there are few of us who will remain
in service. l think l voice the opinion of
three-fourths of the members of the Guard,
and We do not intend to entertain any
more foolishness."
II is probable that a meeting will be
held in the near future for the purpose
of discussing the situation and allowing
the officers TO declare themselves 1t is
understood that the men are all against
the present commander, and will favor
any other appointee as long as the present
incumbent is removed from office. The
feeling is growing daily, and great indig-
nation is expressed on every side. The
terms ''unmilitaryr and "ludricrous" dc
not seem TO be strong enough, and bitter
epithets are heard hourly.
There is only one thing about it." said
a non n-coInmissioned officer last night. II
HsrTies doesn't go, the Guard will go, anc
We won't be long in going, either"