The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-09-23
TO BE AN INTERSTATE RANGE.
SAVANNAH TO BE THE SEA GIRT OF
THE SOUTH WITH THE MILITARY.

The Local Military Men Agreed on
This subJect-They Believe IL VIII
he Big Thing for the City as Wen
as for Them-NouId bring Hun
dreds OF Strangers Here-savnn-
nnh's New Range the Best in the
Country-An Organized Movement
10 he Made soon.
That an international rife range VIII
be established at savannah on the same
general principles as That al Sea Girt may
be regarded as a foregOne conclusion. The
Military men have all made up their minds
70 this and with the prestige gained by
the savannah team at the recent contest
at See Glrt. there is no doubt Of the CO.
operation OF the business men and citi-
zens generally.
No definite steps have been taken to-
wards this end as yet. however, but at
the reception. which viii be rendered the
team after the return Of all the members
10 the city this will be one Of the prin-
cipal topics discussed.
The idea, as expressed by Col. Garrard
In his speech at Isle of Hope Friday
night, is that Savannah shall be the south
ern counterpart Of Sea Girt In the rifle
contests of the military, and that in
terstate matches shall be arranged here in
the spring similar to those at Sea Girt
in the fall. The rules governing the con-
tests would be about the same as those in
force a. Sea Girt.
Col. Garrard said that there is no
reason why the trophies and medals which
would be offered at Savannah should not
be as eagerly sought after as those award
ed at Sea Grit now are. A meeting, he
= h. Nf..N NHH afa
consider the question of medals and
trophies, two requisite features OF all
such contests.
Though there would be some cost att
tached, he said, the resulting benefits
would far exceed the outlay. Savannah
having already gained prestige throughout
the country by her victory at Sea Grit, and
having made known her standing as a
military center to the volunteer sOldiery
OF the country, the crowds which would be
attracted here by the contest from all
parts OF the country would not only prove
financial benefit to the city directly but
would indirectly prove of much greater adj
vantage by bringing the city into promi-
nence with the leading people Of other sec
tons and making its advantages known
IN other than a military way. The con-
tests being held at the end Of the tourist
season and just at the most unpleasant
time OF the year in the north, and the
most pleasant in the south would make IL
a desirable time for the northern military
men to make the trip.
. Capt. Williamson, who commanded the
Savannah team at Sea Grit, and all the
members of the team are enthusiastic on
the subject Of the establishment of an in
terstate range at Savannah. The rihemen
from other states at Sea Girt, who were
told OF the new rifle range at Savannah,
and the advantages ii possessed over the
sea Girt range, all expressed the desire
OF Trying their skill on the range which
had turned out such good marksmen in
such short time.
The reason why the rifemen are anx-
ious to arrange an interstate shoot here
is WAT they are convinced that the Sa-
Vannah range Is the best in the country,
and they wish the military of other states
TO realize this fact. At Sea Cirt. which
so far as known, is the best range in the
country, the 600 yard range is the same
as that used at 500 yards, the firing line
simply being 100 yards further back for
the longer range. The same range is
also used for skirmish firing. This caus-
Is delay, as only one team at a time can
operate on the same range. On the Sa-
Nennah range firing can be conducted at
the same time on all the ranges, each
ranges are 200, 300, 500, 600 and skirmish.
and all have the same firing line AT
some time in The future there win prob
ABLY be added 1000 yard range.
Another feature which the marksmeu
who have been shooting at Sea Girt Will
nave to catch on to when they come to
figures In skirmish firing instead of the
large bulls eye targets. The Georgians
We're trained to fire at the silhouette fig
ures BY Lieut. Satterlee, in accordance
with the United States army regulations
These figures are life size, and represent
men in various positions, standing kneel-
ing and lying down. Naturally they are
much more difficult to hit than a plain
target, and no such fine scores as were
made on the skirmish al the Sea Girt
range are possible.
AS soon as the Sea Girt team has been
properly hOnored the subject villa be
taken up by the military officers, and
some definite steps taken towards the
desired end. The Marathon trophy won
at Sea Girt by the Savannah team is ex-
pected here any day now. The trophy
was held by the New Jersey team last
year, and is now in the state house at
Trenton, unless 1t has already been
shipped.