The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-14
THE RIFLEMAK,s NOBLE ART.
Some Melancholy Retrospections by Ono of
rs Most IlInstrious Practitioner.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sr: I noticed
in your issue OF August 10 an article suggest
ing removal OF international matches by an
invitation from the National Rifle Association
OF America to the National Rifle Association Of
Great Britain. l was surprised to know that
our Association was still In existence. 1t is 40
long since it has been noticed In the public
press. supposed that 1t had become defunct
soon after its betrayal OF Its rights and property
in Creedmoor. II it still survives it can only be
| on paper. as 1t has no range and no sources OF
revenue. 1t has alienated all OF those who
made Creedmoor known and envied throughout
the civilized world.
This range once 50 famous Ia now known
only to the National Guard OF Greater New
York. 1t is absolutely deserted except on such
days as a regiment may practice. The writer
visited the range few days ago. hoping to re-
vive old associations. After remaining an
hour or more failed to see either man. wo-
man. child. or dog within the inclosure. You
may bellove my reflections were not such as
would lead me to a second visit
As almost a generation has passed since
riiemen have been dlspossessed OF their rights
and privileges at Creedmoor. 1t would seem
proper to review this transaction for the in
formation o. those who have since come upon
the stage
As in all public movements after unparalleled
enthusiasm consequent upon the unbroken
success achieved in our national contests. n re-
action resulted and less interest was mani
| tested by members OF the Association, and by
the public and the press This condition OF
things furnished an opportunity to few dis
gruntled individuals in the hoard Of directors
t" Work their scheme me to aband"n CEeedmoor
had received their chartered rights. There
was no excuse for this. as the National Guard
enjoyed all the privileges needed through their
rights under the original charter and fhera
had never been any claShing of interests be-
| tween them and the riaemen who patronsed
The only excuse offered was that an appro-
| priat.99 was needed to repair the range and
would be refused by the Legislature unless the
range was given back to the state. That this
Hustled Chairman OF tho Military Comm lttse.'
the Tshs o Rc and %
ownership Of the range, while enlargnR the
days p practice Of TIE National Gnard This
This bill went to the Governor and should
have heen signed. as it had passed both Houses
the influence OF the malcontents and was led
to- believe that there was politics IN /. which
most entirely ignored BY, the. Guard, But be
this this as it may no Kept the biz in his posses.
hurry and confusion 81 business, a substItute
was sba all rsnt and tile
directors, and tho necessary papers were
signed and passed over TO the stats. thus ahro-
eating all righta and privileges in n property
they were in honor bound to defend from all
encroachments.
In your article you make the mistake Of say
Ing that tho Irish team OF 1874 was headed by
MIR. John RiGby. Tho captain OF this team was
my amented friend. Arthur r. Leach. Mr.
RiGby was leading member Of this team as
MISC OF all tho rest Of the International teams
He is world renowned as n rifle maker In notic-
ing international matches your account Ia full
in some respects but Jou omit one SINAI bore
match which would seem To deserve mention
Tor the reason that il established a record so
high that IT has not been equ7lcd either here
or abroad before or since, This match WINS
shot under the auspccs Of the National Asso-
citation and tho IRISH Association OF Ireland
had the honor To command this team at
pollymount. Tho Irish team scored ~ points
average Tor each man, ont OF possible 225
Tho American team scored an average of n
fraction leSS than 2lB points per man, out OF a
possible 30. he lowest score in the team being
2l2, and tho highest 2l9.
This was tho last small ho-o international
match, and was worthy ending to these con-
tests ot tho giants of Ilany fields. shall we
ever sec their like agninI
lshould be glad TO see this noble sport OF long
go shooting Established But the action
~ National Rifle Association has resuited
In scattering its vOtaries. II would seom to 10
hopeless task to collect and perfect team nj
20 compete with our forEcr ANTAGONISTS who
have been cherished and supported bv their
Association in this noble accom- plishm emf
while our Association has taken the sure
tion. John BoDISH
NEW PALrz. Aug. IL. A" O'NA