Evening star., 1903-09-12
The Retirement Of Col. Theodore
Mosher and His Valuable Ser
vice to the Guard.

franking privilege goes the National Guard
of the District occupies exactly the same
position as the regular army, the difference
between the two services being that the
National Guard Is enlisted for the service
Of the United States in the District of Co.
lumbia and the army is enlisted for service
in the army wherever that may be sent.
This opinion has been reached as a result
of the decision Of the assistant attorney
general for the Post Office Department,
which denied the use of the franking privi-
lege to the Commissioners of the District
being made up of such a number Of citizens
of the District who depend on the mails for
the delivery Of orders, etc. has quantity
Of mail therefor, and the bill for postage,
each year. When the decision Of the assist
ant attorney general for the Post Office De-
partment was announced Gen. Harries COM
municated with the War Department. and
requested that the matter OF using the
frank by his brigade be referred to the
Judge advocate general. Heretofore the en-
velopes used by the guard have had the
frank of the Commissioners' office. and the
guard has been considered a part Of the
District government. On August %, Judge
Advocate General Davis forwarded his opin-
ion to the Secretary Of War. and in 1t he
held that the District guard was entitled to
the franking privilege as a part OF the war
Department and not as part OF the Dis
trict government. AS this Is an entirely
new view Of the question as to the relation
of the guard to the District government. 1t
opens up an interesting discussion as to
Just what relation the brigade holds to the
national government. AS has been stated.
the text of the decision has not yet been
made public, and will not be until after 1t
has been considered by the post office off,
cials. to whom it has been sent
Satisfied With Work Of Rifemen.
There is divided sentiment in the bri-
hot dona at Sea
Girt by the District rifiemen. The standard
of workmanship demanded of the men who
represent the District at Sea Girt Is very
high, and some Of the guardsmen are not
wholly pleased at the showing that was
made. general feeling Of satisfaction
over the results prevails. however. Last
year the District experts captured more
the ten days of the meeting. although they
won neither the Hilton trophy nor the VIM
bledon cup. two Of the biggest prizes Of
fered then. In the national match, shot
trophy was the first prize, the Hilton
trophy the second prize. the Soldier OF
Marathon the third prize and the Nevada
trophy the fourth. The grouping Of the
them The District managed to get fourth.
and If the Secretary OF War decides
to bar Private Hudson from the New
Jersey team, the District will probably get
tA1rQ. IN lQdC case IQe 6OlUl0T VI MARA.
thon will come to Washington again, but 1t
Is considered a remote contingency. For
years past the District team has captured
a majority of the best prizes that have been
offered by the National Rifle Association Of
America at Its annual competitions. It has
not always taken all of the big trophies,
but 1t has captured some OF them and has
gained more than its share of victories.
Therefore 1t Is believed generally through
out the brigade some other National Guard
should be permitted to do something and
show its Workmanship. It could not be ex-
pected that a team could win all the ttme
sport in any sense Of the word Every team
has its of year. and this appears to have
been the Off year Of the District Every
body. or almost everybody, will welcome
the men back again and give them kindly
greeting.
The Nevada Trophy.
The Nevada trophy. which was the fourth
prize in the national trophy match at Sea
Girt. may not go to the District team after
all The general stan Of the army is seri
ously considering the proposition Of put
ting this trophy up as an individual prize
for the best record made by an officer or
enlisted man in the army or National
Guard. The Nevada trophy Is one of the
best-known Of the rifle trophies Of the
army. 1t Is interesting to note that the
last time 1t was placed in competition it
'"
Cavalry, which Is now stationed at Fort
Myer. Capt. John p. Wade. the command
Ing off1cer OF Troop E. was a member Of the
cavalry team from the army which was
entered in the national trophy match at
Sea Girt last week. and he was also a men,
Der OF the team which won the Nevada
trophy the last time 1t was placed in COM
petition. The trophy was originally offered
as prize to the company Of the National
Guard anywhere in the United States which
made the best record at the range. This
resulted in so many disputes as to accuracy
and even honesty Of the scores reported
that the trophy was withdrawn from this
competition and offered as a prize for the
best company score in the army. 1t was in
competition for several years. AS stated.
Troop of the I'd Cavalry was the last or
ganiZation in the regular army to win it.
Since this last contest the trophy has been
held by Col. Church, editor Of the Army
and Navy Journal. as trustee. subject to
orders OF the War Department. When the
program for the national trophy compett.
tons was prepared the Nevada trophy was
named as the fourth prize in the competi-
ton. and Is such was won by the brigade
team OF the District National Guard. It is
one OF the most highly priced trophies that
was ever offered for rifle competition, and
the company teams in the army which won
It enjoyed regulations for craftsmanship
even years after they had secured the COW
eted prize.
Guard Notes
The pay OF tne Olstrlct guarosmen. under
the Dick bill. for their services at the late
summer encampment win probably be
given the men about the 18th instant. The
checks have about all been made out by
Capt. Andrew Parker. acting paymaster,
and he only awaits an order OF the com.
manding general to begin paying of. It ID
expected that this order will be issued early
next week.
Col. Brett Is expected to return to the
city Monday and enter upon his duties as
adjutant general. He reported to Gen
Harrtes at Sea Girt last Monday and was
detailed for duty as range officer at that
place during one OF the days Of the COM
petition. Col. Brett will take q house In
this city for the winter, vacating his quar-
ters at Fort Myer as soon as possible.
The District guardsmen viii turn out for
the unveiling of the Sherman statue next
month This will be the first parade since
camp.
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