The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-11-27
DEADLY SHOOTERS
New Jersey National Guards
men Would Make Things
Lively for a Foe.
GENERAL SPENCER'S REPORT
Where the Fourth Comes in on
Rifle Practicable Krag-
Jorgenson Weapon.

General Spencer. Inspector General of
Rife Practice, has filed with the Adju-
tant General his annual report. He
says
The practice was conducted in accord
ance with the modified code as published
in last years report. and The results at
tanned speak volumes for the wisdom OF
conforming our practice as nearly as
possible to the small arms firing regu-
lations of the United States army. At
no time in the history OF the State has
the instruction of the troops in thism most
important branch of their duty been so
successfully responded to by the Nation
al Guard. A careful perusal of the Sta
stitics included in this report will
demonstrate that the rife practice of
the State of New Jersey, in the ends
accomplished, is second to that of no
other State in the Union. More men
were present and practiced during 1885
than during any previous year, and as a
result more have qualified, the figures
of merit are higher, and the results more
| gratifying, not only to this department
but to the National Guard at large.
During 1895. out of a total enrolment
of 4,2l1, 3,0S7 responded for duty. This
| exceeds the number present in 1894,
which was at that time the largest in
the history of the State by GA officers
and men. OF those practicing in 1895,
2,161 qualified as shrarpshooters and
marksmen, an increase over 1890 of 591.
| OF these, 1893 qualified as sharpshooters,
being an increase of II over 1894.
In the skirmish practice, from 500
yards to 200 yards and return, 2,602 off,
GERS and men reported and went through
IL A1,,. ~ l..{xr T1;- To- ON
increase of 4S7 over 1894.
In the volley firing at 200 yards at the
word of command, 1920 men reported
and fired the regulation five rounds at
the volley target. This is an increase of
AL over 1894.
When we take into consideration the
fact that 1894 was the banner year in
rifle practice up to that time, these COM
parsons need no comment.
ORGANIZATION FIGURE OF MERIT.
The relative position of the organiza-
ton and company figures of merit estab-
fishes beyond question the relative eff
cheney of each organization, not only in
rifle practice, but in all other duties of
the soldier. Special attention has been
paid to the healthy emulation between
various organizations, not only of our
own State, but of organizations in other
States surrounding US; and officers of
the United States army, as well as those
high in command in the neighboring
States, are unanimous in the opinion, fire.
quently expressed, that the organization
which stands at the front in the dis
charge of its duties on the range is GER
tain to be the organization which can be
depended upon to do the most efficient
duty in all other branches Of the service:
the list. figure OF merit. 1882. The next
in order is the Calling Gum Company A,
p IN c 5ne Se@nsnv Rssgim9 ea1rs s. %; Sc Sat.
Seventh Regiment. Ass. The Fourth
Regiment shows a very credible increase
TREY new saA0 compa any Was vas e Enlisted ID just sat
season. In 1884 they had $50 sharpshoot-
The material in the regiment is excel
lent. and the officers strive to produce
s slsth PEST Reg gHaaass. follow The T IN fh;a Fir orde and
The unprecedented results of this sea-
sons labors leads re to express the hope
Guard Of New Jersey will all qualify 80
per cent. of their total strength, as in
year. Without efficient officers and
| those who can and will give the neces-
sary time to this duty such results cam
If the soldiers are not taught to shoot,
it is hardly to be expected that they will
BE- efie 95GtSoi IN time hne o fn need; and o the 5 f6s
weapon with which he is armed, is much
more likely to do injury te his con.
r regeI than arm az ani IS ei issued to the states.
and If. as now seems probable. the
| Springfield is ~relegated to disuse, an I'M
Krag-Jorgensen rife in his hands viii be
a most dangerous person to himself as
wen as to an g%qrrouppdinNgc hlm.
the accepted arm of the State, It has
Should Be established, for the practice Of
| the troops at their home. stations; If not
for the purpose Of qualification, then at
may be wise, in any event, to require
qualifying scores to be made on the State
range. These views have only been
Of practicing with the Krag7Jorgensen
gun on any range which does not have
a clear space beyond butts Of from three
in the neighborhood of any of the home
stations of the regiments, n the dan
ffb ee b bullet Iet'o Of which is liable to do dam.
age at any distance within five miles,
makes it almost impossible to locate
can be used. And should We advocate
the expense OF hiring or purchasing
land. and erecting ranges with the Ger;
pass out Of use within the next one or
two years, we might be rightly charged
COMPANY FIGURE OF MERIT.
In the Company Figure of Merit, as
might be expected from the showing Of
the Second Regiment, the first seven in
order Of merit aarre:Gcompany c. g. GO g;
eeomppanyy 4 (. S so'ss; I compansy II; s s &
| Company T., 69.O4; Companyq 69.N, ali
Of the Second Regiment. The eighth,
ninth and tenth in order of merit are:-
| Company e, Sixth Regiment 63.11; Com
pany A, Fourth Regiment, 59.07; Company
II. Third Regiment, a@
During the season seven members of
| the National Guard completed fifteen
wears consecutive qualification, nine
completed ten years and 13 five years.
The Crosses of Honor given to these
| National Guardsmen for continued prof.
cheney in rife practice are highly priced
by ali who receive them.
REVOLVER PRACTICE.
For the first time In the history of the
state. record has pesn made Of revolver
practice for mounted troops. Dfsmount-
ed and mounted practice was held in ac-
cordance with General Orders No. 6,
office of Adjutant General, April IS, 1895.
The Department is specially indebted
| to His Excellency George T. Werts, Gov
ernor of New Jersey, for his hearty Co
Department IN its efforts to Improve the
National Guard in rifle practice. would
be forgetful Of my duties If / did not
hereby express to my assistants, Colonies
Owens and Decker, as well as to the
| officers detailed to the Department, my
| qualification at the able and earnest
manner in which they materially aided