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

which they belong They are ready to
sacrifice more time and give additional at
tentiun TO practice TO aid In maintaining
a guard Which shall have no superior in
! the country. That it gives character to
the State and its guard to have the State
| reprs sented In State and interstate com
petitions is fully understood by all those
interested in military matters, and lends
additional incentive for the best of citizens
to enter the guard OF the State. These
marksmen believe they are entitled to have
opportunity to meet the guard OF other
states and demonstrate TO them that Maine
has soldiers who can win distinction and
honor In any competition. would
respectfully urge the maintenance of
State team, and that they be prepared to
participate in such national and intersta
competitions as the commander In chief
may think desirable. The hope of recogni-
ton In this respect has brought into the
National Guard of the State very many
most excellent soldiers, who aspire to be
worthy and efficient In every duty of a
soldier, it has been an incentive which
adds strength and stability to the guard.
and, encouraged. will make the guard Of
Maine reliance in case Of danger, which
S'u'Nt " NNPSHuCu upOu
Company Inspection.
l cannot give better expression to my
Idea of the usefulness OF tho company in
spector and the recognition that he de-
serves than by repeating my recommended
tions in my last report, as follows:
The company inspector of rifle practice
is, if well selected, one Of the most valu-
hln ,na,.- &c 81
should have said officers II could
properly. and believe that such inspectors
should be commissioned officers The
duties Of company inspector requires a
man skilled in use of the rifle. He must,
if successful, give good deal of time in
securing efficient work in the company
He gets no pay whatever for this labor and
may not have 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 as
relates to company Instruction Is given it,
We must always depend upon. the com
pauy inspector for success in this depart
ment. A proper recognition of the services
of those who perform the duties of com
pany inspector, by paying them reason
able amount or giving them rank Of first
or second lieutenant, would be simply jus
tice."
i desire to recommend that sharp
shooters and first -class marx smen who
have qualified five years as such, not neces
sarily consecutive. be allowed to rank as
such without annual qualification, and
not to the detriment of che companies
y; nL
position they occupy. l would also recon-
mend that the return Of score cards of
practice be made IN duplicate to the in
spector general of rifle practice and to the
regimental inspectors of rifle practice in
the regiment to which companies making
returns belong; also that the practice sea
son close Oct. 81 and commence Nov. of
each year also that company inspectors
make an inspection of all rifles in their
command in the month of Decemer Of each
year, and before the 18th Of the month. |
and make written return to the com
mandcr of the company of their condition. |
together with statement of the parts of |
any unserviceable rifle needed to make it |
s,rviceablc.
Conclusion.
Since my connection with the work of |
this department, from 1881 to the present
time, the guard has shown continual i'm
provement, and none greater than during
the last four years. The percentage OF
qualification has increased and correspond
Ing strength as marksmen has been de-
veloped. This Improvement is largely due |
to the interest which the Governor and |
Commander in Chief has taken in the |
work Of the guard and the business
methods enforced by Gen. Selden Conner,
the adjutaut general Of the State am
not unmindful of the zeal and timely
efforts Of the regimental inspectors, 1t.
Geo. A. Anthoine of the LIST and It. W.
A. Newcomb of the Sd Regiments, and the
officers upon whom rested the responsible
ity of maintaining an efficient organiza-
ton. and the constant assistance given me
in the discharge of my duties. That the
wi eb0 In, tn