Daily Kennebec journal., 1894-12-21

In this match the Maine team led all
competitors at the 200 yard point and
held third place in the match. 1t is
proper to say that none of our men had
ever practiced skirmish firings at long
distances, and that they We're brought
into competition with the best skirmish-
ers in the U s. National Guard
The time needed to strengthen the
teams for team matches did not give the
men but little time for entering the in
dividual matches, open from Monday to
Saturday. In these matches, however,
some fine records were made.
Gen. W. S. Choate won the "Trenton
cup with score of S6 at 500 and 600
yards. Gen. Choate also won prizes in
the fall coniers match" in the match for
the U, S. championship and in the IRE
volyer match. " He also stood fifth in the
Wimbledon cup" match. Col E. c.
Harrington won second place in the
"Kuser match with score of 101 out
of a possible 105, three scores at 500 yards
Lieut.. +. A. Robertson won second prize
in the ''hll comers military match"
with score of 63, seven shots at 200 and
300 yards. E. J. Cram won third prize
in the "Sheutzen match" J. G. McMurry
also won prize in all comer's match Lit.
Robertson also won prize in the U. 5.
military championship.
That the State should annually be rep
resented at these national matches, no
one conversant with the benefits to the
national guard will for moment ques-
ton With the experience of this competi-
ton and the proper encouragement on
the part of the State there is the best rea
1,,N,,
standing as State of marksmen another
year
/ would recommend that a special ap-
preparation of $1,000 be made for the
purpose of sending State team to attend
the national matches of 1895. The com
mander in chief of n. j. government,
Geo Il. Wcrts, was present at the matches
and from him and the officers of the Ma
tional Guard of New Jersey, the Maine
team received many courtesies. Great
credit is due Gen. Bird W. Spencer, the
executive officer and his able corps of as
sistants for the fairness with which the
matches were conducted. and is a guaran
tee that competitors may expect fair
treatment in further competitions.
RegimentaI Inspectors.
Under the new law rcgimcntal inspcc-
tors of rifle practice were appointed and
commissioned as lieutenants. These
officers were 1t Geo A. Anthoine of
Biddeford, for the First Regiment and
Lit. Ncwcomb of Eastport for the Second
Regiment They have afforded me valued
assistance in the encouragement of rifle
practice during the practice season, and
ably assisted me during the matches at
encampment.
Company Inspectors.
The company inspector OF rifle practice
is. if well selected. one of the most valuable
memDers of the National Guard. | should
have said officers if / could properly, and
believe that such inspectors should be
commissioned officers. The duties of a
company inspector requires man skilled
in the use of the rifle. He must if success
full give good deal Of time in securing
efficient work in the company. He gets
no nav whatever for this labor and may
have not even the honor of rank his work
is so Justly deserving. Rifle practice has
grown the past few years to become a
recognized and important factor in the
soldiers requirements, in order to fit him
for service. but no recognition so far rs
relates to company instruction is given
it. We must always depend upon the
company inspector for success in this de
partment. A proper recognition of the
services Of those who perform the duties
of company inspector, by giving them
rank of first or second lieutenant would
be simply justice.
Future Competitions.
1t is my opinion that there should be
matches arranged for officers field and
line, separate or united, and the company
matches should only be opened to those OF
a company who do not hold commissions.
Service Revolver.
Very few of the officers have equipped
themselves with the L. ). Colts revolver.
There can be no question but what every
officer should have a revolver and know
how to use it with quick ana deadly
effect. The fact that the law requires
officers to furnish their own side arms
makes ii no small hardship to have to
purchase !. weapon which all realize they
should have. think that the State should
furnish each officer with the revolver
adopted. and compel thorough knowledge
in its pse The revolver would be State
property and would retain its efficiency
rs n weapon as long as the rifie once