The New York herald., 1878-03-15
THE AMERICAN RIFLE TEAM.

To EDITOR OF THE HExALD:-
Tho recent action OF the late American Rife Team,
In reference to tho selection OF their SUCCESSORS IL
not only extraordinary but may prove mIschievous.
The team decide that the National Rife Association
have right 10 inaugurato measures Tor The scec-
ton oil u team to aeicnd the International Trophy
and yet this very team, and every member OF H. were
selected unGer a system devised by the association
and carried under its auspices. The true
Of the who preceded the team Of 1877 yet
mono of the distinguished rinemen who composed tho
older teams ever questioned the authority OF the
socalion nor arroeated themselves any rights not
conferred by the conditions OF the matches in which
they were vctors
This decision OF the team OF 1877 would OF itself be
harmless II 1t were not Tor the extraordinary action
which followed. Having condemned the associa-
ton for arrogatns TO itself certain rights
winch It did not POSSESS tho team tuerc-
upon proceed to do the very thing winch
they condemned In tue association, and
appoint CON mittec tor the selection OF the repre-
thoushtlcss action Will be reversed For Whatever
may be said Of the power Of tho association, aud the
rights derived from having initiated the match, pur
chased the trophy aud established the conditions,
Is very certain that nothing eau be advanced IN sup
port OF the extraordinary Claim ol the late team Of
tue right To select their successors Inc team oil 1917
won The privilege OF Designating the tinc and place
1873 Is TO takc place. When they have performed this
duty OF naming time and place thcir relationship 20
ali that luturc matches is the tnHt
Of any other group oi private citizens, neither more
nor less
II would, Of course, be suggested that II the team
persist In their present attitude that they intend to be
tnelr own successors such an imputatiop would, no
DOUBT. De unjust, and yet the gentlemen composing
the team have invited IT. by Their Assuming without
any shadow of authority 10 regulate the competitions
for the selection oi u new team. In these compoti
uous II Is 10 be hoped each lncmber Of the last team
VIII take part, ana thoy must necessarily see the
proprety OF their assuming to and dictate the
conditons OF these preliminary tria's.
fhe only interest the public has in tho subject
Is TO see that the strongest team possible is
selected to represenI the country without re-
gard TO tccbncates: That this has been done
heretofore under tho auspices OF the National
Rifle Association certainly viii not be denied
by General Dakn ana ms associates, at least Us faI
1877 Is concerned Whatever their opinions may be as
to previous years. Heretofore have been uni
formy successful 10 internat ona mpettions. The
people are we'll satisfied win the system under which
theso successes nave been achieved nothing
for indIv dual JeaOuscs. They have confidence,
moreover, in the gentlemen composing the Board OF
Directors oil the National Rife Association, and will
look with disiayor upon Dything tending 10 INTRO
duce disscnsiobs among our rinemcn and thereby
interfere with the selection OF q suilabie team.
We SUGGEST to the gentlemen II the team OF 1917 20
meet at once reconsider their nladvised action.
will certainly DO con sidercd responsible, whatever
their individual views my be. ior any confusion that
may hereafter arse IRON " kIkLEMAN.