The Washington times., 1901-11-30
AFFAIRS OF THE
NATIONAL GUARD.
COMMENT IN REGARD TO A PRIZE.
The First Regiment Criticised for
Acceptance OF the Awars by
Default The Oneidn's
Cruise of n Day.


of the regimental match at the recent
meeting on the ordway range has stirred
up all kinds of dissatisfaction in National
Guard circles. The Second Regiment team
in that match ran up score Of sixty
three points more than its opponents. but
was ruled out on technicality involv-
ing the unintentional oversight in the
transfer Of Private Pile and Sergeant
Groom from the Sixth Battalion to the
Fourth.
"Unsportsmanlike" is the term which
the Second Regiment rifemen apply to
their opponents for their acceptance of
the prize on the ground of default. This
view is also taken by a few officers in
the First Regiment who are not connect
ed with the rifle team, and by staff Off
GERS who have no particular afiliation
with either team.
First Regiment Thick skinned.
The general current of disapprobation
seems to have little effect on the First
Regiment riAemen. Several of them
have asserted that they knew the Second
Regiment was violating the firing regu-
lations, because of the error in the trans
fer of the two men, and that the First
Regiment team did not shoot it's best,
knowing that it would gain the match
Though default. This phase of present.
ing the situation has not tended to i'm
prove the rather strained situation.
After Major Bell. inspector general of
rifle practice, rendered the decision, de-
claring the Second Regiment technically
at fault. there was considerable specuia-
tion as to whether or not the First Reg
iment would be content to take the prize
on such terms. 1t was thought that per-
haps the First Regiment riiemen, when
offered the prize, would decline on the
ground that they had been outclassed at
the targets and would therefore waive the
default and let the victory &c to the Sec
ond Regiment team.
The Incident Closed.
Such was not the case, however, and the
present dissatisfaction has been in no way
relieved by the discussion aroused. OF
course, the incident is closed now, as far
as any awarding OF the prize is concerned.
1t is expected, however, that teams will
hereafter look well to their qualifications
before they begin to fire In matches.
A-ApA - VIII bt maui Nui tlAt tOlllLiS
gallery practice season to encourage
craftsmanship to such an extent that
there will be more inducement for novices
to enter. At the present time it is said
that old marksmen enter all the matches
possible and render the competition so
keen that novice has little chance even
in a minor event.
The Cruise of the Oneida.
Under command of Lieut.. R. B. Brum-
nett the Oneida made a short cruise down
the river last Sunday. goodIy muster
of the citizen Jack Tars was made when
the sturdy craft stood cut into the chan
mel. Everything was busy from the very
start until the conclusion of the day-long
cruise Since the recent shake-up in the
Naval Battalion d hit of new life seems
to have been infused. and the standard
of efficiency is apparently pushing rapidly
upward.
When a number OF miles down the river
the Presidents yacht Sylph. with the
Presidential ensign flying, was sighted
coming up the stream. The engines
aboard the Oneida we're stopped and a
formal salute given the Svlph.
The Last Cruise of the Year.
The crew was instructed in the use of
the compass and other duties in handling
the ship. No more cruises will be made
this year on account of the small coal
supply on hand. The regular Friday night
assemblies aboard the Fern have been
commenced, however, and drill at that
time will be vigorously pushed.
Pay Clerk Frank Sigourney was up for
an ensign's examination last night
The resi- gnation of Jesse B. X. Lee, ma
jor of the First Battalion, Washington
Light Infantry Corps. takes effect today.
His successor will probably soon be ap-
pointed. All indications point to the Sc
lection of Capt. S. Porter House, of Com
pany A, First Battalion, as his successor.
The reception at>National Guard head
quarters on Monday evening last proved
a delightful affair. A large proportion of
the contingent which made the name of
District riiemen one 70 be feared at Sea
Girt were present. General Harries dis
tributed the badges and bars annually
given to the members of the brigade
team.
The general order covering the pro-
grlmme of the gallery company battalion.
and regimental matches during the months
of January. February, March and April
will soon be issued from headquarters.
Discharged From Service.
Upon their own application. the fol-
lowing have been honorably discharged
from the National Guard: Sergeant Joseph
W Manning, Company d, Second Battalion:
Sergeant John w. Dayton, Company A.
First Battalion; Private L. p. Stuart and
Private B. W Weaver. Company A, Third
Battalion. L. c. Saltzman has been order
ed honnrably discharged from the service
on account of removal from the District Of
Columbia.
In the interest of the service. Privates
James Fitzgerald and John O'Connen,
Company b. Second Battalion. have been
discharged from the service. Orders have
been issued for an election of a second
lieutenant of Company C. Second Bat
TALON, on December 3.