The morning news., 1897-08-17
NOW COLONEL GEORGE T CANN
APPOINTED INSPECTOR
OF RIFLE PRACTICE.

The Appointment Made Yesterday
by Gov. AtkinsOn-COI. Cams Fine
MarI1smanShip and His Ability as
Range Omcer Won Him the Ap-
pOintment-Was the winner OF the
Wimbledon Cup and Led the Saw
nnnah Team in the Hilton Trophy
Match at Sea Girt Last Year-COm-
pany G of the Guards Loses "a Cap
tain and the state Gains an Able
STAN Officer.
1t is now Col George T. cam, or win
be in a day or two. A dispatch to the
Morning News from Atlanta last night an
nounced that Capt. George T. Cam of the
First Battalion of Infantry, Savannah
Volunteer Guards, was yesterday appoint
ed by Gov. Atkinson 70 be inspector gem
eral Of rifle practice of the state troops,
with the rank of colonel, succeeding Col.
William G. Obear Of Atlanta. whose res
ignation was recently announced in the
Morning News.
The appointment Of Capt. Cam to this
important position will be received with
general satisfaction by rihemen through
out the state. and especially by the mill
tary of Savannah, by whom Capt Cam
Is especially well known and highly es-
teemed. 1t will also be regarded
to some extent as recognition
of the splendid work done by the
Savannah team, representing the state,
at Sea Grt. and also of the interest taken
by the military here in the development
of craftsmanship, in which Savannah has
taken the lead of the rest of the state.
Gov. Atkinson could hardly have made
a more fitting selection for the place.
Capt. Cam is not only a remarkable rifle
shot, but he is wen fitted by nature and
experience 20 discharge the duties of this
Office which has now become one of the
most important in the state military SER
vice being generally considered in fact as
next in importance to that of the adjutant
general. Besides his military experience
has been such as to fit him for the
discharge OF any Of the
duties which may fall to his
lot as a member of the active military
staff of the governor He has been for a
number of years a member of the Savan-
nah Volunteer Guards, becoming a MEM
Der of the Savannah Volunteer Guards
at an early age. He served for several
years as first lieutenant of company c
of the battalion, and upon the resigna-
tion of Capt. John Reilly about three
years ago, was elected captain of the
company which position, it is hardly nee
essary to say, he has filled with credit
10 himself, and to the satisfaction of his
command.
Capt. Cann's record as a rifle shot is
something to be proud of. He has been
a member of the Sea Girt team each year
since that movement was first inaugural
ed, and has had much to do with the hon.
Ors which have been won of the New Jer-
sey field by the team. His scores
have always been among the
highest. When the Savannah team tied
the District of Columbia team for the Hill
ton trophy last year Capt. Cam led the
team with a score of 81 out of possible
l05, the Columbians winning by reason of
having the highest score at the longest
range. In the winning of the interstate
trophy, the Soldier of Marathon" which
the Savannah team has held for two
years, Capt. Cam bore prominent part.
1t was the winning Of the Wimbledon
cup at Sea Girt last year, however, which
brought Capt. Cam prominently to the
attention of rifle shots throughout the
country. This handsome trophy was pre-
sented by the National Rifle Association
of Great Britain, after having been con-
tested for for years by the best shots of
Great Britain, TO the National Rifle Asso-
citation of America, and is contested for
annually at Sea Girt by the best shots on
this side the water This match consists
of thirty shots at 1000 yards. Capt Cann's
score was 109 out of a possible l50 which is
considered remarkable at this range
In Col. Obear's report of the Interstate
shoot held at the Avondale range here
last April. he gives Capt. Cam especial
credit for his ability as range officer. and
also for the craftsmanship displayed
by him in his work with the Guards team.
The Guards battalion win appreciate the
honor of furnishing the inspector general
of rifle practice to the state. Company
will regret to give up Capt. Cam. but the
members viii have the pleasure of know
ing that he will be frequently with them
and that they can still profit by his in
structon.
WILL WORSHIP JOINTLY.