Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-01-25

the United States Springfield rife now
used by the Guard.
III the new magazine rifle was properly
provided with adequate sights, 50 that a
soldier might learn to use it with some
definite results AS TO accuracy, its longer
range ana low trajectory, together with
the lighter ammunition and less recoi the
advantage over the present rifle would be
4 OF great value The sights as now pro.
vlded, are not correct even at short range
ana are practically useless at long range
This application Is a virtual admission
that the rifle Is not what an experienced
marksman should be armed with. This
Is not true, for the rifle, properly sighted,
would be n wonderful weapon at short and
long range.
Service Revolver.
Very few additional revolvers have been
purchased by the officers Of the guard
While we may expect some gain each year
by the purchase Of reviewers by officers. IL
must he long tino before officers will be
generally armed with them, and ACQUIRE a
knowledge of their use. That every Off
GER should have the army revolver and I'M
derstsnd its use goes without question
In fact, regard it of the greatest import
auce that every officer in the service of the
state should know how 10 use It with
deadly effect In view of this | would
earnestly urge that the state furnish off
GERS with revolvcrs, the same to be the
property OF the State.
Inefficient Soldiers.
Almost every company has certain
number Of inefficient men whose ignor-
ance Of firearms would he a menace to The
safety OF the community. and to soldiers
Of their or other commands who were with
them in any emergency where force of
arms was necessary.
Each year finds as n rule less of this
class, still some companies have a large
percentage of this class of uneducated
soldiers.
Experience proves that a few hours of
practice upon the range, after proper in
struction in aiming and swapping the rifle.
will be sufficient to lay the foundations
for fairly good marksmaD, and therefore
1T seems a waste Of money and time to
continue in the service men who will not
acquaint themselves with the first and
most important part Of "a soldiers duty.
believe that the expenditure of the quota
Of ammunition allotted To each soldier
should he compulsory.
Such soldiers seem not TO feel the slight
est responsibility of their oath of enlist
ment, or willingness to recompense the
State for the trust imposed In them, by
preparing themselves to respond to the de-
mands of the State when circumstances
might require their services
Mob violence during the past three years
in different paris Of the country has had to
be met by force, and the probability must
be apparent that such will be the future
experience of thickly settled communities.
Each company of the guard Is unit
which IS liable to be used as such if the
State required their services for the |
protection of the peace of the |
State. This fact makes it i'm
perative that each company should have
able officers and their commands should |
be thoroughly instructed in the use of the |
rifle. Precision of firing is one of the most
important requisites connected with quell |
ing mob violence. The failure to do this |
must be a menace and danger to the com
munity and result in loss of life to limo
cent citizens.
1t seems to me to permit an organiza
ton to remain in the guard which from |
year to year fails to have but very small |
number of efficient marksmcn, and large |
Q cent without any knowledge of the |
use of the rifle, is q course that cannot |
with safety to the State, be allowed to con-
tinue | feel that it would be a neglect of |
duty, if | did not ca your attention to the
lack of knowledge in the Use of the rifle,
by the companies herein before mentioned.
If the incfficiency was only 10 or even %
per cent OF companies which were other
wise strong in craftsmanship, the import
ance would not be considered great. But
when The larger portion of whole compan-
les are almost entirely ignorant of the use
OF the weapon the State has placed in their
hands and only small part of the COM
pany having only little knowledge of their
use, with no seeming ambition or intcn-
ton to acquire efficiency as riflemen. can
but feel that the whole guard Is weakened
to an extent which deserves your careful
consideration. l have no criticism to
make as to the ability of officers and men,
so far as relates to their ability to com
mand, or become good soldiers, and no
doubt bnt what efficient commands could
be secured if they understood such ineffi-
cheney in the use of the rifle would not
longer be tolerated.
The events of the past few days show
how important it is that what guard the
State has, should especially In marks
manship, be kept up to high standard.
OF all States Maine cannot remain igno-
rant of her position in case of foreign
difficulties.
State Rifle Team.
The State has now fine body of
superior marksmen. The soldiers have
expended great amount of time and con-
siderable money, and have to do 1t an
nually TO maintain high degree OF eff
cheney as marksmen. They are proud Of
their State and the National Guard to