The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-12-08
MACHINE GUN
BATTERY'S
18TH DINNER
Prominent Military Men Re.
spOndsd to Teasts al Big
Banquet at Wellington.

so"vuW ~ Woi'iuS'V"'
The FIRST Machine Gun battery had
it's 18th annual dinner In the large hall
OF the Wellington where the members
In uniform ana guests sat down 90 the
long tables in hollow square, and al the
head table was: Col Harold Gross. Col
McGann. Qusrtsrmsster General Walker,
President Kendrick of the common ocun-
ctt. 5sneesT EsndaA Capt Merle sxsy.
Brig. Gen. ". 2. Tsnner, Lieut.. Col.
Forsythe, Capt PsHssone of tho phllIp-
pine constsbulary and Capt. Henry Wal
colt. Later Gov. Garvin and executive
Secretary Robert GYieve came and were
received with flourish or trumpets and
an appropriate march By tle orchestra
under the direction Of Bowen r. Church
"A feature of tia evening was en- ring
ing company war cry with which they
salrted tho guewts and popular onicsrA
Capt Blxby acting as toastmaster,
stated briefly the reeson for the gather
ing stating that there were times In camp
when the bows had 20 80 so hungry that
when they got a chance they had 20
caslon when all those deficiencies were
made up.
He spoke of TIE tvue patriotism which
moved the young men 10 enter the militia
saying the militia did not serve for pay.
OUR COUNTRY"
The irst toast I want you 10 drink in
water Cor the purity OF the sentiment I
Our Country" In the northern states
We are not taught to serve our state
above all, but the country comes nrst
We have with us a man who waS Quiok X
20 serve his country when duty called I
introduce 10 you our comma pder-in- thief
Gov. Garvin.
Gov. L. r. c. Gar,ln said: When the
state Was referresf 20 il meant the people
OF the state. lie then in q happy wr-'
oontfasted the occasion with timee not
60 festive IN the civil war DAYS when
1t wae necessary 10 chew away oil day
at bard tack in oroes TO get enough TO
cat.
About 20 years ago the militia was not
regarded very highly. being considered
a. more foe show. all tinsel and trap
pings.
Il confess ! thought so my self al one
time. But ! have come 10 see differently
since. II reminds me OF the story Of the
stranger In Arkansas who inquired ~hy
stating that ne had seen no occasion for
their use Well the native said: You
might not sea use for n IN thrse years or
more but when YOU ala want II you
would need II bad
The governor said That he was glad to
see that the company was full. Here q
laugh interrupted him and ne smilingly
changed his statement 70 with full ranks
Captain Bxby then said: Next 20 our
ss, ~As hat r.ffh
MS one who FOR many years very abiy rep
resented our city. He has served In our
militia and said he reached the rank Of
second sergeant
Mr. Kendrick said he was pleased at
the nattering tribute paid 10 the militia
by the state executive and referred 20 the
excellent rsord 80 had made. lie referred
to the new armcry in prospect and thank
ed the battery for its reception of him.
Captain Bixby read n letter OF regret
from Adjutant General sackett, who was
detained
The next toast was Arms and Equip
ment." / am pleased TO have been able
to show to the quartermastef what sort
of rations he should serve to us In camp.
and introduced the ouartermaster gem
cral. Walker
ARMS AND EQUIPMENT
Qusrtermaster General Walker said
that ne would indeed be \ brave man
who would speak on arms and equip
rnent after reading the press dispatches
from Washington but that he would
initiate the person who rushed In whore
ensels feared 10 trod. He began and re-
viewed the progress OF arms for offence
and defence from the time OF primitive
man 20 the present day. describing how the
clumsy club was followed by the spear
swords and finally the various sorts OF
hrearmS.
Or the bsttcrys weapon he said he had
ninde y resolve never 10 stand before the
mui,l. OF one OF the guns and Try TO
coIn, the number OF shots per minute
RE touched on the slow manner the new
tIHes are sent 30 Tho militia and said that
some of the commands stll had the old
Springfield sSs
He concluded by reminding the com
niand OF .he splendid record Il had "a live
M 10,
Genera Tanner commander az the
brlsade wss the rnnt speaker. he stated
he always had warm spot in his heart
for the battery. lie referred to tho
stream of people that como into his offioe
during the day to inquire what was the
matter with the Rhode Island militls
Now when anyone hits or the hrfssi- 7
feel like taking it up AZ ouoA
FORGET RHODE ISLAND
7 think the only trouble IL that The SOC
retsrv of wnr forgot 20 put Rhode ISL
ands name on the list of states ready for
active service. II know We are So nearly
ready ss many other states" General
Tanner said 'lt Z. ont orr fauW VIC have
not as many rifles az we should have"
M next toast was the idesl soldier
and asked Col warheld 70 speak on
that" said Capt Bixby. he could not
come on account Of his health"
Tor the next toast Col. NcGann re-
spcnded 20 The Second Regiment"
The cotonei said. The Introduction
given me hy your csptsin rather knocked
me out
we are slsd 20 hear hs governor speak
.o warmly OF our militia I think a good
many peop.e have found sut hat the mil
itir IN n nsresserv aocessory TO our stats.
ne referred 90 the inadequate militia
law with which our state was saddled and
then spoke hopefully Of the speedy oom-
pletion of the state simory.
NOTHING SERIOUS