The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-04
O r e ED M 90 r.
The National Rifle Association and Their
Prospects.
Preparations OF the American
Team.

The National RiAe Association have brought to
close very brilliant season and inaugurated
pastime that gives promise OF attracting nearly
universal attention from the young men through
out the country. The merit of ride shooting does
not rest merely In the amusement It afrords or the
benefit derived from open air exercise, but in the
fact that 1t Is developing an army OF marksmen
that can lend an unerrng eye and steady hand
when their country needs their assistance. Dur
ING the past six months spirit OF rivalry has
sprung up between the members OF the different
regiments OF che National Guard, and the result
has been highly beneficial, as shown by the scores
made by their different teams on repeated occa-
siona Unfortunately, the movement on the part
of the National Guardsmen to avail themselves OF
the chance to become perfect masters OF the rife
has been confined to individual members, instead
OF the regiment en- naGSSe
The National Rine Association has done great
deal during the past year to encourage the
NATIONAL GUARD
to practise Workmanship, and Its to be hopeo
they will respond by doing all in their power to-
ward its support. Many will probably be aston
ished to hear that the total receipts OF the past
year derived by the association from members OF
the National Guard will not amount TO more than
$750 The annual subscription to the association
Is 30 per dQuuIU, Out WHICH, COmpoAy IA O AO6i'
ment joins In body the subscription is reduced
one hail. as the association conclude that not
more than half the members will make use OF
their range at Creedmoor. There are now four COM
panies OF the Seventh regiment one company OF the
Twenty-third regiment and from fifteen to twenty
individual members OF each regiment enrolled IN
the association In fact, the annual Subscriptions
DO not 60 anywhere near paying the expenses
and the association has been run this year chiefly
on the life subscriptions OF $26 that have been paid
up by certain members. They have been IN sucn
financial dif1culties that when pressed Tor money
the officers OF the association used to go around
among their friends trying to drum up some lie
members in order to supply the treasury with
funds. Next year, unless the annual subscription
list sweIs up immensely, they are going to have
hard time TO get along, as the November elections
killed all hopes of an appropriation when the
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
was passed prohibiting any grant OF money being
made by she state, county or city IN ala or any
private association, corporation, &c. That law
takes effect ON the 1st OF January, and therefore
there are no hopes OF their receiving the $500
that was so well put out on The new buildings, re-
pairs OF embankment and other unavoidable
expenses necessary Tor the preSerVation Oh Tue
Tho expenses OF the association are very heavy,
as they nave to pay the az S r =, a Sd tWo
or three men that are constantly employed Keep
ing the grounds at Creedmoor ID proper conal-
tlon, or as markers at the targets. they nave also
office rent, stationery, &c, that help to SVEN the
bill Of expenses. In consideration OF the appro-
t;nard nave been allowed the use OF the range,
and the association are determined TO continue
thai privilege, Notwithstanding the lact tnat tney
can receive no further appropriations.
THR BOARD OF ALDERMEN,
seeing the good already achieved oy the National
Rne Association, have authorized the Board OF Ap'
portiOnment to appropriate SIS, 900 Tor their bene.
ut. and, as 1t Is understood that Mayor vance Is
in favor OF rue Donation there Is probability OF
the association having some funds to keep the
range at Creedmoor In proper repair.
The range at CreedmOor Is beginning TO look
rather deserted, as 1t Is only patronized now by
the members OF the team and some lew others. 1t
is the intention OF the ASSOCIATION 70 Keep up sne
organization and to add 20 their number, so as to
make them about twenty all told They VIII then
select one OF their number as captain, probably
Colonel Gildersleeve, as Colonel Wingate has de-
clined to act on account OF unavoidable profes-
siona duties. This team will practise pretty
steadily during the winter, and then in May 1t Is
proposed to have grand contest TO winch all the
team 70 20 TO Ireland In June Will then be selected
from the rifemen making the best scores at that
contest In difference to the wishes OF the Amert-
can team, among whom are several Rentlemen
who object to shooting tor money,
MAJOR LEIGH
has considerably agreed that the forthcoming
match between the Irish and American teams
shall be for a cup or badge and not for money
Sn the
will be allowed to hold the cup for one year and
then will have to return II to the association, re-
tanning gold medal as q trophy Ofhis victory. me
Leech cup will probably be shot for In the latter
part Of May. IL will be open to competition OF
American citizens
Sucn Is the interest now taken in rine shooting
that
COLUMBIA COLLEGE,
taking example from the yearly rtne matches
between OXFORD and Cambridge, Is going to send
q team 10 Creedmoor to practlse, and intends to
challenge some OF the other colleges. This Will
probably result In some intercollegiate r1ne
matches that will help TO swell the programme
during the boat race week.
The American Rifle Association have shooting
range In Westchester county, and like all new be.
glnners that try to jump to the top OF the ladder
before they have surInounted the hrst lew steps,
have adopted the
WIMBLEDON TARGETS
and rules. Sucn action complexities AFFAIRS IN
very unnecessary manner, as those targets are
divided into bullseye centre, inner ana QUEER and
thus render II impossible TO compare their sh0ot-
have the three Observation-Disclosures, centre and
outer. The Wimbledon targets are not used
In Ireland or the Canadas, ana, IN TACT, are only
used at the English rife shooting headquarters IN
marksmen are so very expert as to invariably his
near the centre OF their target 0ut IL would prob
ably have been more eXpedient for young aaSo-
cation to practise at the targets in common use
than to jump for those especially CONSTRUCTED Tor
experts OF known SKIN.
movement is on foot to arrange o
RUNNING DEER
or figure at Creedmoor ior mark to shoot at on
hand. The deer or figure Will be on @ truck that
will run on rails up and down an inclined plane.
fixed an eccentric, so that 1t gives Jump
every few yards. Marksmen are allowed to shoot
at IL with doublebarrelled rine and are fined for
every ball they put In the hind quarter.