The times., 1899-08-20

The chief interest at present in National
| Guard centres is the coming contest at Sea
! Girt, which will determine whether or not
the District of Columbia is to uphold its
reputation in craftsmanship. The candi
| dates for positions on the brigade, regi-
mental, and company teams have been
working hard at Ordway Range three days
each week, and have made considerable
progress. The Guard will be represented
| by some of the best rifle shots in the
country, and friends who have watched the
scores closely say the prospects for the
honors coming to Washington are excel
| lent The idea is prevalent among the
men that the strongest rival for the cham
poinship honors will prove to be the
| team from the Georgia National Guard
Major James E. Bell, inspector general Of
rife practice, has not yet determined upon
the men who will form the brigade team.
There have been several changes necessary
in what appeared to be the possible list.
Many of the best shots in the Guard are
in private employ, and arrangements have
been made by which they have succeeded
in having leave granted for the time to
be spent at Sea Girt.
In addition to the men on the various
teams number of Guardsmen have asked
permission to go. 1t is probable that their
request will be granted Capt. Thomas
Marion, quartermaster of the First Regi-
ment, whom it was expected would be
Guartermaster of the Washington party,
Will not be able to leave the city at that
time. The company teams have not yet
been named. Company teams are sent at
the 2pense of the men, or of the COM
pany. The brigade teams are sent at the
| expense of the District. The Second Regi-
ment and the Sixth Battalion will proba-
bly, be represented as follows:
| Regimental team-Capt. Glendie B.
| Young, Lieut.. w. W. Cookson, Lieut. F.
W. Holt, Lieut.. C. L. Lanham, Sergt. H. H.
Leizear, and Privates r. P. Carleton and
NJ. Appleby.
Battalion team-CorporaI NJ. DooIan and
Priyates w. E. Colladay, w. NJ Farrow,
| S. D. Rotramel, c. McC. Taylor, and A.
| Whitaker
Company D, Sixth Battalion will probably
be represented at Sea Gfrt by the follow
! ing team of five men and one alternate:
Capt Glendie B. Young, Corp. Martin Doo-
| Ian, and Priyates w. E. Colladay, C. W.
Dickey, 5. ID. Rotramel, and James NJ
| Stewart.
Experiences at Ordway.
Speaking to a Times reporter last night
Major Bell said that the marksmen who
have been practicing at ordway range dur
| ing the past few weeks have had similar
weather to that which may be expected at
/ Sea Girt. This Major Bell considered to
have been excellent experience. At Sea
Girt, he added, breeze from the ocean
| begins to blow early in the morning and the
men, as they come TO the targets must
make allowance for its effects on the ball.
1T is strange" said Major Bell, what an
! effect even the slightest wind will have on
! the bullet. A breeze from the side has the
! greatest effect on the course of the ball
wind dead ahead requires lower ele-
! yation, while a wind blowing in the drec-
! tion in which the shot is being fired calls
for a higher elevation. One of the most
amusing sights | have ever seen,'' contin-
ued Major Bell, takes place every year on
! the first Monday in September, al Spring
! Lake, New Jersey, about a mile from Sea
| GiTt The day is known as wash day to
| the New Jerseyites. Early in the morning
| the farmers from miles around arrive on
the scene with lunch baskets and prepared
for a good time. The fun for TIE spectators
comes when they all-men, women, and
| children-go in for swim with their
clothes on. They can't afford bathing suits,
| bat don't seem TO miss them in the least
The custom is observed regularly each year.
The boys will doubtless go over this year
| to enjoy the sport"
New Company.
Considerable progress is being made in
the recruiting of a new company by John
f. Bethune and Van Potter. to be COM
posed of former High School cadets. The
| majority of the boys are graduates or for
| mer students of the Eastern High School,
| and the company when mustered into the
Guard next fall will be representative
OF Capitol Hill in the District m.ntia
Steps are also being taken for the
formation of second company, TO be
made up almost entirely of High School
boys. Mr.. Bethune has received the fol-
loving reply, from the acting adjutant
general, to a letter of enquiry addressed
| to General Harries:
A company must first be mustered into the
| guard before officers be assigned to it. The
| company being in the guard election by bal
lot must then be held TO fill the vacant offices.
| Those who present themselves candidates for
commission need not necessarily be mustered with
| the company. The company can elect one with
out, as well as one within the company.
| By preconcerted arrangement orders can be is
sued directing the holding of election the
| moment after the muster in.
| 1t is only natural TO suppose the organizers Of
! the company would receive the nominations.
| Ii is impossible at this time to determine the
| location of an armory for the proposed new
| companies. II is considered desirable to house
| them as battalion organization if such can be
accomplished.
The election of officers recently held in
Light Battery has been declared void by
headquarters. Lieutenant Waters was no
tilted that information had been filed To
the effect that the election did not accord
with regulations, inasmuch as proper no
tifcation of the event was not made
Lieutenant Waters will probably hold a
second election in a short time.