Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-11-18

asdivision is granted. Our broad and rich
domain is large enough and productive
enough for two progressive states, and with
those We can make y better showing IL ma
tional affairs and better manage our own liz.
terhal affairs.
RIFLE PRACTICE.
Some Suggestions offered by Ono Who
Understand h subject.
Army and Navy Journal.
From IN intelligent officer of the New
York National Guard we receive the com.
ments which follow on the present system
of rifle pratice, az followed in this state:
As certain elements in nature, like fire
and water, are good servants, but terrible
masters, SO certain elements in the develop
ment of National Guard service are to be
regarded and notably rifle practice. 1t is
just now an important, a vital, question, as
to what extent this factor shall dominate,
control, fashion and govern, the body mill
tary of the state. We speak particularly
ofNew York. The season of 1870 began
with the year, and each month of its pro-
gress has been attended with features Of
significant interest. 1t did not, like its pre-
decess ors, wait for the balmy breezes of
spring to usher in its coming on the grassy
plain of Creedmoor. but the ball opened at
Albany, in January, atthe session ofthe Ma.
tional Guard Association ofthe state. At
that meeting, which counted among its
membership a large and more thoroughly
representative gathering of prominent off
Gers than ever before assembled to consider
National Guard matters, the subject of rifle
practice was intelligently discussed, the
sentiment of the convention placed on re-
cord that a modification of current methods
of practice was imperativley demanded, and
a committee of we'll known inspectors of
rifle practice appointed, to whom was con-
6ded the duty Of suggesting such feasible
means ofrelief from the b%urdensome exac-
lions Of the rifle and the range as should be
demonstrated by the experience of the cur
rant twelve month. That committee has yet
to report. 1t is q suggestive circumstance,
however, that the first step taken by the
adjutant general should be directly in line
with the proposed reform by limiting the
amount of transportation and ammunition:
the first to a single trip to Creedmoor and
return, and the latter to forty rounds per
man.
Aud with this encouragement we may
perhaps venture the query, whether it is
possible to SO modify existing conditions as
to make the system of rifle practice in the
national guard what it should be-a prof.
table servant instead of an oppressive and
exacting master? Says General Wingate,
in his Manual: ut is settled that, so far
from actual target practice being the only
way in which a proficiency in markham.
ship can be secured,imen often shoot worse
instead Of better from mere practice, and
that X it ia "a easv
by drill alone to acquire skill in markham.
ship as in the manual of arms" The
paragraph here quoted covers the entire
question. and reduces it to the simplest
form. The range has been relied upon ia.
stead Of the drill-room, %"actual target prac.
tice" has usurped the province Of ~instruc-
tor, and slowly, perhaps, but none the less
surely, rifle practice has encroached upon.
duties until the members of the national
guard, officers and men alike, groan under
the onerous burdens which have been i'm.
posed upon them. Nothing could be more
plausible than the theory advanced by the
department of rifle practice-that the range
is the place for demonstrating what has
been learned; and nothing can be more
pernicious than its practice of bending
everything to the end of making a big
showing on paper. This paper" phase has
been frequently treated in your columns !:
but one or two thoughts still suggest them
selves. The rallying cry of the department
rs "marksman"-reports, circulars, letters,
hristle with the precious term. Every
energy j devoted to making marksmen. No
means is left untried, nothing left undone.
To all its subordinates it gives the admoni-
ton, "Do what you can but whatever YOU
do, make marksmen r. To this end it
stands at no expense, takes no account of
Inconvenience or hardship suffered bv the
rank and file, nor does it hesitate to over.
ride and cast CO ntempt upon its own rules
and regulations.
Thus We have the exhibition of a supoes.
ton published by the G. !. r. p, that at f.
3 not advisable that any man should shoot
!, more than twice in the same class on the
same day" formulated into an order by he
, division commanders that a man shall not
? shoot more than twice." etc. For violating
. presumably this provision, we see the
scores Of an entire N. Y. brigade thrown
out n disallowed. And yet, in face Of
these circumstances, we are treated to the
turther spectacle of the department, at the
extreme end Of the season, urging the quail
ihcetion of marksmen in two matches II ne
N. r. A., shot on the same day, and au.
thorizing each and every man competing "a
e s1oot twice, If necessary, in each mach
Q How much respect, then, can the several
tnousand men who have been bound dovr
ey an iron rule the summer through, hay,
!or On Administration which 80 stulti6e,
Il l. Eatsel' Is It not the goose and golden e.,
= , aoa4 y, ma e Different phrase? Again, whs
gooa, o.nsr IMAM swelling the paper list, d.
We have al elaborate system Of nrac,;c.
70 covering six distances, and cl.ime5 - +
immaculate and indispensable. Da,. 4
h SunReet that the roo m dOO -..d., I.N.