National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-04-12
OUR RIFLE TEAM.
The First Day of the Seasons
Shooting at Benning's.
Some Fine Work Done Under Adverse Cir
cu'nstanoes-A Representative In tho
American Team to IreIand-rho
Best Man to Goa Challenge
From tho New York
Rlo Club. Etc.
A FRO spcouvo Interesting Shooting Season.

A FRO spcctlvo Interesting Shooting Season.
The weather proving unpropitious during
| the month of March this year, opening day at
| Benning's was poitponod by the Columbia
Rifle Association TO the first Saturday In April,
and the rain falling in torrents on that day
the first shooting of the season did not occur
until Saturday last. The event was a long
range subscription match, with five entries, as
follows: Colonel j. o. p. Burnside, Dr.. s. l.
| Scott, G. III. Laird, z. J. Lauritzen and Lieu.
tenant T. B. Hubbard, Second Artillery, u. g.
a. Tho afternoon, although clear, was q
windy, ragged aud very disagroeablc one for
the business Ia hand, and no ono expected to
500 the good scores that were recorded. At
| times the rilcmon wero compelled 10 wait for
tho clouds Of dust TO subsido tu get n vlnw Of
the targets, and at best the targets were hard
to find. Especially was this the cRse while
firing the 1,0OO.yards string, the wind toward
sundown becoming more gusty aud furious.
Tho wind on tho dial during tho shooting
varied from to y o'clock, und In strength
was from six to eight points on tho wind
gauges. The match was opened promptly ut
o'clock aud closed ut 0. Following aro tho
three leading scores, Colonel Burnside taking
first prizc aud Dr.. Scott the socond:
COLONEL J. o. p BUnSsiDE.
500 500 yard,s' yyard '...'" "55S323495t35555-7z3s
l'OOO yards .'..'.' . D i 3 o 5-67
DR.. $. l. sCUrr.
500 yards .-..... I 5 / $4,000 5 5-7J
yOO yards ...... 3lII445 655555 8 5-6s
UOO yards. .......430 304045S4S55o O-65
Total ...........................2 200
CHARLES II. LAIRD.
500 yards, ....... 6i5 55bsb553 3-72
900 yards. e. 80. 5@04565 5554 5-G5
TotOl......:............................ 2oi
The executive committee of the Columbia
Rifle Association held special meeting on
Friday evening last to consider communica-
tion from tho National Rifle Association In
closing a letter from tho Irish Rife Association
ut Dublin inviting the National Rife Asso-
citation of America to serd team of long
range riflonlen TO Dollynount 10 shoot an in
ternatiopal match in June of this year, I'm con-
tinuation of the nomenclature international
matches that were shot between America and
Ireland IN 1874 aud 1915. The National Rifio
Association desired to know "hOw many men
the Columbia Rhe Association can sond over
in the American team and pay their expenses?'
After full discussion of the matter our Column
bia Rife Association decided that it could soud
ono riAeman and pay his expenses, and tho
president of the club was authorized to confer
further with the National ille Association
and mako the necessary arrangements TO close
tho matter Ia case this proposition is accepted.
1t was further decided by the C. Il. A. exec
utive committee that tho contestant having
tho bost average score in'fvo individual sub.
| scrption matches ut long range, beginning
Saturday, the 18th instant, and 10 be shot on
each succeeding Saturday, 10 include May
18th, should be tho iin' man to represent the
G. r. A. on the International team TO visit
ireland.
1t is understood that while Colonel Burnside,
president of tho @. Il. A. Club may shoot in
these subscription matches for recreation
and practice, ho will not be u con-
estant for place on the International
team, as it will be impossible for him to bo
absent from his duties in the Postoffoo Depart
mcnt during Tie months of June aud July.
Also at the special meeting on Friday even-
ing lust a communication from tho New York
Rifle Club (cnlled "the Gilt Edge CluL") of
which Major Frank A. Donaldson (secrctary
of the n. Il. A is captain, was read, making
a proposition for IA series of hOme-and-home
matches at short range with teams Of four, six
or eight rillemen, between that and tho e. X.
A. Club This proposition was accepted by
the &. II, A. Club, but restricting the number
In each team TO four contestants, as tho e. r.
A. has but fow riflemcn who are expert at
short range, while tho New York club is COM
posed exclusively of crack shots at 200 and
300 yards at otfhsnd. The president of the
G. r. A. was authorized to nDtfy tho New
York club of the acceptance aud to make all
ncedlul arrangements for tho matches, tho
first Of which will be shot at B=nninss in tho
lattor part of May, and a return match at
Crccdmoor some time in June.
Now, will not some of the long.raugo clubs
of the country challenge our c. Il. A. for
team match or matches at 800, 900 and 900
or even at / 900, l 100 and 200 yards That
Is what our rihomen are waiting aud anxious
for