The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-11-25
GEN. WHITNEY FAVORS THE
CAPE AS CAMPING GROUND

Brig. Gen. ]. H. Whitney, commanding
the Second Brigade, M. V. M, of which
the Emmett Guards are part, is In FAVOR,
as was Brig. Gen. Bancroft, retired, OF
spending the annual encampment of his
brigade somewhere on Cape Cod instead
of on the muster field at South Framing
ham. In a recent series of speeches de-
| livered at Attleboro, he is quoted as sug-
gesting an idea of a brigade encampment
where the desire for more room on the
part of regimental commanders could be
satisfied. He would go to the Cape dis
trict, where there is plenty of land TO be
cow erted into proper assembly places for
at least 1900 soldiers. The suggestion that
nantucket would be excellent for the pur7
pose possibly includes the Cape idea.
Here again increased appropriations WOULD
be found convenient, and transportation
by sea from Boston, as is rumored might
be proposed would certainly Keep the
medical department in exercise. Soldiers
are always poor sailors, and trip over
the shoals even in midsummer, might
prove rather an unpleasant IL not 4 can
gerous experiment.
ENLISTED men not qualifying in some
class within one year OF the date 81 thelr
enlistment will be discharged for the best
interests Of the service" This order re-
lates te the regulations for rifle practice
and was prepared by Col. William II.
Brigham then inspector general OF rlne
practice now inspector general OF the
state militia, and will be of more than
While all companies in the state militia
in this city have made more than a re-
spectacle showing at qualifying marks
men for the year past, the significance OF
keeping the men constantly in shape 10
make good marks at the butts is strongly
brought to mind
Within a month requests for discharges
have been received at the office of rhe ad-
jutant general from company com'nanu7
ers in accordance with the above quoted
paragraph. This movement TO throw out
of the militia men who failed TO meet GER
tain requirements at rife practice was
suggested years ago by the then inspector
general of rifle practice, Col. William i.
Chase, but the first attempt to carry cut |
the idea follows the order from Col. Brig
ham.
Some of the commissioned officers in
Worcester in conversation with The Spy |
man yesterday relative to the paragraph
in question say they do not believe IN
discharge on the ground of non-eHectNe- 1
ness with the rifle. They say that rifle
shooting is but one of the many points
many a good soldier. who has proved
himself such on battefelds and in trying
positions. could not come up to the lowest
requirements of the order
1t is waste of time to try and improve
some men in craftsmanship. as no amount
of practice or coaching could improve
them BY commanding officers carefully
watching their men company treasures
would not be drained for rifle practice and
company teams would not present men
IN competitions who, rated as first or sec
ond class marksmen, find 1t impossible TO
hit the target even once in 10 shots.
The sensational case Of Priv. Keefe of
Con. pany NJ, Fifth Infantry, who was
drum. med out of the Fifth Infantry dur
ing the camp of last year, and who was
subsequently, fined in the court at South
Fra mingham, came up on appeal al East
Cambridge last week. Mr.. keefe with
drew his appeal and the incident appears
to be closed.
Col James G. White, Inspector general
of rifle practice, is still looking sharply
after the interests of a rifle range for
Boston militiamen. It is understood that
he has his eye on an ideal spot. and later
on will endeavor to secure fits transfer to
the city of Boston. For obvious reasons, |
he desires to keep the location of the land
to himself
The reports of regimental rife inspec- |
tors are overdue at the State House. Up !
to Saturday but one had been received !
and that was incorrect. and was returned