The Savannah morning news., 1900-08-08
STATE WILL PAY EXPENSES.
WITHIN A LIMIT, II WILL DEFRAK
COST OF THE RIFLE SHOOT.

ed-An order Relative TO the Com
petition VIII Soon BE Issued by the
Adjutant Observation-Disclosures Must BE
Made With Col. Cann-ProbabIe
the Railroads VIII Oner a Rate OF
One Cent n MiIe-Three Matches
Have Been Positively Arranged.
The state will furnish transportation
and a per diem for the company teams
that may attend the second annual rifle
and carbine competition for the Georgia
State Troops, which will be held az the
Avondale range Sept. and A. Col. George
T. Cam, inspector general of rife prac-
tice. under whose directions the shoot
will take place, has been so informed.
Col. Cam named an amount that he be-
lieved would defray the cost of transpor-
taaion and admit of the payment of a per
diem, and to this amount the Governor
has given his approval. Should, however,
the appropriation prove insufficient for
these purposes, it will be divided among
the companies at a distance that enter
teams, being distributed at pro rata in
accordance with the distance Travelled.
Only visiting teams will receive any
benefit from the appropriation. The To-
cal troops. obviously, would not be en-
titled to 1t. 1t is expected that the adj
jutant general will soon issue an order
relative 90 the shoot, and that this order
will be sent to every commanding officer
in the state.
Col Cam expects the railroads to agree
to rate of one cent mile for the teams.
This is a rate that is usually accorded
| state troops when destined for a camp
of instruction, as at Griffin, and that,
practically, is what the rife competition
| is 90 be. He has consulted the railroad
officials and they believe that no objec-
ton will be offered to the rate being de-
clared effective for the shoot.
! Original ammunition will be furnished
| by the state. A great quantity of it will
| be needed proba bly, more than 5000 rounds.
| The cost will be considerable, but it is
| thought that the benefit derived by the
troops from the practice and the interest
| in rifle shooting it will create will far sur
pass expectations. and that the expense,
! considered in the light of results, will
really be as nothing.
The Governor has professed his interest
in the shoot and his desire 10 see the best
possible results achieved. He appreciates
| the value of rife practice for the troops,
and 1t is believed a successful meeting this
year will result in others in the future
that will be participated in by many teams
and upon which more money will be ex-
| pended
Entries for the competition will be made
with Col Cam not later than three days
before Sept. 3. Regimental commanders
will make the details of competitors from
their organizations, not to exceed five men
from each company, and forward the en-
| tries to the inspector general of rifle prac-
| tice. Immediately after reaching Savan-
nah, team captains will report to Col
Cam. Assignment to quarters will be
made, cots being ready for the visitors
in the armories of the local military
Besides conveying the above informa-
ton. the order soon to be issued will con-
| tain a copy of the rules for the govern
| ance of state matches, drawn up by Col
| Cam. These rules embrace every Ques-
ton that may arise, and the captains of
teams will find them of value
| Three matches have thus far been def
nitely arranged. 1t is possible there may
be another, though the time, two days
will not admit of much more shooting than
that necessary for the three. 1t is also
| possible that one or more individual
matches may be arranged, as that is
matter In which several of the best shots
have displayed an interest. A revolver
contest has also been suggested. and it is
| possible that one may be arranged
| The De Renne match will be for Gonna
n.y. battalion, or regmental competition
| among teams of ten men each for the De
Renne cup, a magnificent silver piece pre-
sented by Mr.. Wymberly j. DeRenne
| This cup is valued at $1,000 1t will be held
| by the winning team for one year The
teams will compete for II at 2OO 300. 500 and
| 600 yards and at The skirmiSh five shots
being fired at the 200 and 3O0-yard ranges
ten at 500 yards and twenty at the Skin
mish, any number of shots to be fired on
| the skirmish at each halt within the time
| limit
The De Soto Cup, presented by Messrs
| Watson & Powers of the De Soto Hotel
will be the prize in the De Soto match
which will be open to teams of five men
| from any company. troop or division of
naval militia. The entrance fee will be
81 per man. The distances will be 200. 800
500, 600 yards and the skirmish with five
shots at 200. 800 and 900 yards, and ten at
500 and the skirmish. In this match the
distances and the number of shots that
prevail in state qualifications for sharp
shooters and marksmen will be observed.
so that opportunity will be given contest
| ants to have their records count
| Matches will be held for the cavalry
troops, and all conditions governing the
| infantry Will apply except that carbines
| only will be allowed. The conditions will
be the same as in the De Soto match
| Any team from the cavalry may enter the
| infantry competition, but such a team
must use the infantry weapon The prize
| for the cavalry competitor will be the e
! c. Powder cup, in all proba bility, which is
now held by the Guards. If not this cup
| then some other will be awarded
| Col. Cam has not been definitely in
formed that the Fifth Regiment will agree
to its cup being devoted to the state
shoot. 1t would make a valuable addition
TO the list of trophies for which the troops
are to contest, and it is hoped that the
suggestion of Capt. Hope of the Cover
nor's Horse Guards may be followed
AS yet. Col Cam does not know posi-
lively how many teams will enter He
counts, however. upon about twenty. He
was surprised and grathed by the inter-
est manifested among the officers and
men of the Fourth Regiment when he
was among them during their recent en-
campment on Cumberland Island Col
Cam says the Savannah marksmen, who
have been so long accustomed to win all
prizes In rifle competition, VIII have to
look to their laurels, commands at a
distance have been devoting more at
tention to practice than formerly
Until the order has been issued by the
adjutant general. the commanding Of
fcers will not know officially lust what