The New York herald., 1879-09-20
The Greed moor F.l, Meeting.

The rifemen Of America may be fairly
complimented on the increase of skill OBJ
servable in the matches contested at Creed
moor this year, particularly in the military
matches. At the shorter ranges, where the
shooting is off-hand, the individual scores
have been wonderful, and the military
team shooting has shown remarkable aver
ages. if we except the long ranges, which
are yet new to military practice here,
although highly essential in war, as proved
by the effective work done at long distances
in the Russo-Turkish campaign by the
Turks. Nevertheless, in this branch there
is promise OF progress by next year. In the
interstate matches, for there was really no
international character in the match SO
called, the New York riflemen proved
victors, but the best scoring among the
latter was not made by teams from our
local regiments The entry OF a number of
teams from the regular army and the good
records made by them is another matter for
congratulation. In long range shooting
with sporting rifles this has not been q red
letter year because the foreign rifemen
have not taken heart OF grace 10 con-
test our admitted championship of
the world, and the consequent in
element to our crack shots to pur-
sue the team schooling that led
them SO uniformly to victory has been
wanting. Still it is by no means to be
imagined that our skill is leaving us. On
the contrary individual marksmen and
of ha,, of l..
sprung up in different parts of the country
within the past two years. The record Of
the winners OF the long range match OF yes
terday shows the splendid average of 204 IL
points per man, while individuals OF the
other teams show high scores A challenge
from England, Ireland or Scotland or from
body representing the best shots of all
three is, after two years of inglorious rest,
the least that can be expected from the
other side of the water. 1t was New
Jersey that won yesterday at long range,
and q Massachusetts man who won the
champions medal with O full score of
bull's-eyes at the thousand yards range.
To-day the Wimbledon cup will be shot for,
when we may expect some fine scores at
this distance.
The congratulations which we extend to
the rifemen cannot be accorded to the
same extent to the National Rifle Associa-
ton. It must be admitted to their credit
that they brought the best shots together
and conducted the matches fairly but they
owe it to the rifemen Of the United States
that they should offer better attractions.
Although the averages have been higher
the attendance has been conspicuously
smaller, not merely of the outside
public but Of the rifemen. This is
undoubtedly due to the insignifcance
of the prizes and their limited number.
No man not crack shot has now the
smallest chance, and even many who make
good scores must be content TO see them
selves fifty or sixty lines below the prize
list. Where, as recently, q single indi-
vidual by tact and energy could get up
a single match with nearly thousand en-
tries, it seems absurd that the National
Association could not attract more than
two hundred and twenty-six to their most
popular match. We hope this lesson shall
not be lost upon the directors.