The morning call., 1892-12-12
NATIONAL GUARD.
Proposition for a Rifle
Range at Baden.
THE MAZE TROPHY MATCH.
A Prospect That 1t Will be Declared
Off-Company Commanders Called
to Account-Latest Changes.

From all accounts the competitive rife
shooting match for the Maze trophy was a
hzzle. Some of the regiments failed to fur
nish their quota Of marksmeD. The officer
whose duty it was to supervise the match
failed to report An attempt was made in
the case Of one company to ring in sharp
shooters from the Presidio garrison. The
First Regiment went to the butts in good
shape, made a very respectable score and
obtained very decisive lead. According
to the rules the prize was fairly won by the
delegation from this command. There is
talk that the match will be declared off and
the contest resumed at some future time.
General Dickinson seems TO be Of this
opinion. The best course to pursue would
be TO let tie record stand. The time, terms
and conditions of the match were well IN
derstood and widely published. To reopen
the contest would be offering premium
Tor indifference and negligence. AS the
cup must be won twice before it can be
permanently held. there will necessarily be
one more contest, and possibly more than
one. This prospect insures the opportunity
10 the laggafds in the match on the 4th inst.
to redeem themselves, ii they have the pride
and enthusiasm to seek and the skill to win
victory.
General Dickinson, in general orders on
pany commanders 10 all orders previously
issued referring 10 the shooting for the Maze
trophy. Accompanying the order was a
blank certificate, which was to be filled out,
signed and returned to his headquarters.
Its purpose was to ascertain whether the
rules, as 10 the eligibility of the competitors,
bad been respected. All company COM
manders whose companies were not repre-
sented at the match were directed by the
same orders 10 Immediately report the rea-
sons why.
Very little hope need be entertained for
any advancement in the standard of military
craftsmanship heTeabOuts until suitable
grounds be obtained for instruction and
practice. Shell Mound Park does not nor
never did meet the requirements OF a prac-
teal rifle range for military purposes.
Under the actual tests of field work most of
the men schooled at Shell Mound would dis
cover that they have much TO learn before
they could be rated as frst-class marksmen.
AS matter OF fact they would have much
to unlearn, which is a far more difficult pro-
cess than acquiring original knowledge.
Shooting under cover at one distance may
produce good gallery shots, and that's about
all it will do. An open field, where con-
slant notifications OF light and atmosphere,
as wei! as the changes in force and direction
OF winds can be be studied, offer very differ
ent conditions for rife practice to the am
bilious marksman. Until these factors are
Introduced the present situation is simply
one OF arrested DEVELOPMENT
Fortunately the prospect is encouraging
that rifle range will be found 10 meet the
present demand for improvement. During
the year the search for one has been MAIN
talned with considerable energy. The out
lying country has been explored as never
before with this object in view. Within
the last few days O proposition has been
under consideration among those interested
to establish a permanent range near Baden.
Some very strong inducements have been
made to the Second Brigade people by the
st0ck-yards company, which controls the
territory Whereabouts. A very desirable
tract of land. adapted for the purpose end
lying along the line OF the electric railway,
has been found. Corporal l.. Townsend,
the veteran sharDshooter. has drawn plans
of the proposed life range which, so far as
they have been examined by experts, are
considered very acceptable. The field has
frontage OF $50 and depth Of 1000 yards,
which would. afford ample space for suffi-
cient targets at the different ranges 10 meet
the needs OF the whole brigade. Some def
mite action looking TO the requirement of
the ground and IFS equipment for rifle prac-
tiee is likely to be taken at an early date.
Colonel Sullivan of the First Regiment
has been confined to his home the last two
weeks with severe attack OF diphtheric
tcnsilitiS. but is now convalescent, and
was able to be out on Friday to attend to
business again.
Captain Ruddell OF Company c, Third
Infantry, has invited Captain j. w. Duffy
of Company A TO conduct the competitive
examination CT non-commlssiened officers
In his company for promotion.
First Lieutenant J. j. Kirwin of Company
{. Third Infantry. has forwarded his resg-
nation on account OF his removal to Arizona
The following changes in the National
Guard OF California are announced in gen.
eral orders No. % from Sacramento:
First Regiment of Infantry-Charles JAN
sen, to be captain Company d; vice self.
term expired. James a. Mango, to be cap
tain Company +; vice self, term expired.
John +. Eggert, to he first lieutenant Com
pany F; vice self, term expired. Oscar Tob-
riner, 10 be captain Cadets, to rank from
September 20. 1892. l.. L. Prescott, TO be
Ist lieutenant Cadets TO rank from Sep
TEMPER 20. 1892. j. S. Ebert, to be second
lieutenant Cadets. to rank from September
20, 1882.
Second Regiment of Artillerv-Thomas
+. 0'Nel to be captain Battery G vice self,
term expired. Maxwell G. Bugbee, to be
second lieutenant Battery F, To rank from
September 10. 1892; vice Millar. promoted
Fifth Regiment of Infantry-Herhert l..
Partridge, TO be first lieutenant Company
b, to rank from October Is, 1892; vice Lor-
yea, resigned.
Ninth Regiment OF Infantry-James E.
Mack, TO be first lieutenant and Paymas-
ter. with rank from November l., 1892: vice
Pettingll. retired. George II. Bower, to be
AISt lieutcHauL dHu QudTlefmaSter, Win
rank from November 10. 1892; vice Mack,
transferred.
Naval Battalion. -Charles ii. Croker, to
he lieutenant Company b, to rank from
October 20. 1892; vice Fitzgerald, resigned.
Cecil c. Dennis, to be lieutenant Gu Nor
gradel Company B. TO rank from October
20. 1892; vice Croker, promoted. William
(. Ynrke. to be ensign Company b, to rank
from October 20, 1892; vice Dennis, pro-
NOTED. William ID. BlOodgood. to be lieu
tenant Company A. to rank from Novem-
Der 2, 1892; vice Nerney. resigned. Thomas
Nj. Shaw, to be ensign Company A. TO rank
from November 2, 1892; vice Bloodgood,
promoted.