National Republican., 1881-08-13
THE oLYMoNT RIFLE MATCH.
IntervIcw win Colonel IBurnside-A Plain
Statement OF the Rules.

Colonel Burnside having been absent
from the city for the past two or three days. during
which time Mayor Bcckham and the Alexandria
Light Infantry had replied TO his recent card, he
was asked by representative Of THE REPuBIIcAS
last evening II he intended to make reply to said
cards. when he said:
"No. The point at issue and which caused the
team Of the National Rifles TO decline to contend
further for the cup was not controverted or even
argued in the cards referred to. claim that the
decision was not rendered In accordance with the
rules of the Natl onal Rifle Association; that
the umpire and referees had the printed
rules in their hands at the time Of the shooting
and during their conferences that said rules are
plain aud uncquivocal on the subject of ties and
should have enabled them to render decision
and make the award almost instantly at the close
Of the shooting, and this being the case proper
self. Prospect will prevent the Rifles from having
anything further to do with the match"
" But why did you not claim this at the timer
was asked.
simply because we did not like to assume the
part Of teaching the umpire and referees their
duty. hoping they would ascertain what should
be done from the National Association, whose
ruling In the case they must accept as authorita-
tive"
But Mayor Beckham says Major Frank J. Don
aldson should have forwarded the letter to Judge
Gildcnleeve in Europe promptly, END written the
Mayor that he hnd done SO, persisted tho reporter
81 should suppose that Mayor Beckham is bust
ness man enough to know that Judge Glider
sleeves letters, although erroneonsy addressed to
him rs president OF the National Rifle Association,
would never be seen by the secretary Of the as
ISOLATION, MS they would 90 direct to the Judges
Office or residence"
Mayor Bcckham says he has conscientIously
discharged his duty. What do you say to that,
| Colonelg'
The Colonel replied that "conscenee should
not figure IN the to the extent of setting aside
| the rules under which the match was shot, Any
man of ordinary intelligence can fully under
| stand those rules which relate to ties, and
| those rules were the law In the match, ac-
| cording to the published programme Of the same.
The whole matter Is iiresne and distnseful to me
now, but is subec that eScitcs the mirth of the
| ride associations | regret that the Alexandria
Light Infantry lost money on the excursion OF the
18th of June last, Is stated In the card from that
company, but that Is 10 excuse for throwing this
tic match open TO any but the two tying teams.
The simplicity Of the whole management OF this
affair is positively refreshing"
"Did yOu or your team attempt to influence the
| National Rifle Association TO publish decision on
this match p was asked
"No, not IN the slightest. We did not write to or
communicate with any member or officer of the
National Rifle Association. on the contrary, VIC
s,udiousiy avoided doing so, having II perfect
understanding TO that effect. Some one wrote
TO the Spirit Of ne Times for is opinion
when the rifle editor Of that paper, seeking to make
the decision stronger than he could put it, wrote tc
Secretary Donaldson and received his reply. That
Is the way the decision got into the press. The
Rifles now, however, count themselves out. Sc
| lets aboul IL