The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-04-20

Pointers ON Rife Practice by . Crack
Marksman-President' Escort.
TACOMA. April ls.--A second lieutenant pa
rading with captains shoulder strap created
considerable amusement among military men
last week.
Company C, Captain Fife commanding, and
Troop viii act AZ escort to President Harrison
during his drive around the city. The Zouaves
will act as guard Of honor.
Company aud Company G had battalion
drill Wednesday evening.
naval reserve militia win be formed and
perfected on the sound at no distant dag.
Torpedo practice. mortar and artillery firing
VIII constitute the science of thia branch Of the
service.
German army onicer at present In Tacoma
says the activity displayed by the German war
onice points to o conflict before fall. He h of
the opinion that the Russians hope to delay
forcing tight until winter, and if successful
Will have the climate in their favor.
The prize drill between different companies Of
the Guard to be held at Puyailup next Thursday
promises to be closely contested. Company G
win have squad sleep and drill in the Armory,
and Company will have picked team under
command of Captain Fife. The other companies
viii have to do excellent work to Guido the Ia
coma companies
Colonel Conner, accompanied by sprague Camp
No. 4, Sons OF Veterans. viii institute q camp at
Fern Hill next week.
"A long neglected part OF the duty of the state
militia" saysoue of the crack marksmen of this
city, sis that Of rife practice, and without .
doubt four-ffths OF the men who are so well
sefsed in the manual OF arms know no more
about the practical use of the arm than a child.
III u well known fact that foreign countries
exercise the utmost care in instructing the
soldier In the principle of rifle shooting at all
ranges This il the first consideration, the man.
n n ryua fho Thavo f,rn shoIa
munition and compelled to practice at the regu-
lafion ranges. Literature pertaining to instruct
Ing the novice abounds, and that possessing suf.
hcient merit 10 approved by those in authority
and largely circulated. This plan of distribut-
ing printed instructions to the state militia has
been adopted by the state of New York, and the
example thus set forth Is worthy of imitation BY
other states.
"Those sufficiently interested to watch the
development OF the soldier in rife practice and
the use OF the arm he bears must have recog-
nized the necessity Of the office OF inspector of
rifle practice and the importance Of the appoint
ment to that Office Of competent persons They
should not only be good shots but should have
thorough knowledge of all things pertaining
TO the art OF rife shooting, trajectory, windage
Light, etc. We know of many excellent shots
who can make wonderful scores when all things
are favorable. but are all at sea when the ee-
ments are against them. 1t 10 painfully apparent
that in many states those appointed TO instruct
the soldier have not the proper requirements
necessary to develop the skill desired. The con.
sumption OF q vast quantity of ammunition will
not insure the proficiency of the soldier as an
expert rife shot, II the bad habits OF fiinching,
snap shooting and improper sighting have been
formed early in his career solely for the want of
proper Instruction. 1t is believed that by the
aid Of an instructor q soldier can, with a
hundred shots, attain more knowledge and be-
come n better shot than he could have learned
with a thousand fired alone
"The preliminary srmory practice will teach
him how To aim properly, break him of finch
ing, aecustom him TO the trigger pull and thus
nj him TO make at least a respectable showing
at his first appearance on the out
door ranges. The state OF Washington should
take measures at once to fit up outdoor ranges
at the different posts and officers in command
see that each and every member receives prope-
instruction. i would suggest, however, that
the soldier, before starting 20 practice see that
his trigger pull Ia correct, not too heavy nor too
light; the trigger should lift six pound weight
with gun at fun cock, any heavier would be a
handicap Iwould suggest that n pamphlet of
initiation be printed and circulated among the
members OF militia companies throughout the
state, this pamphlet to be carefully written by
some practical aud thorough military riaeman'