Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-01-03

Of % at 500 5000 yards. and two scores
Of y at 600-t3OO yards. etc, i would
| advise that in paragraph 256 the "23'
at 800 yards, be changed to 30. and in
paragraph 261. the '23" at 800 yards,
be changed to -, and the 20" at 500
yards, be changed to %.
The guard, today, is deficient in rifle
practice. 1t is true there are a few
good ritiemcn, but the greater part Of
the guard are extremely lacking in the
knowledge of rifle shooting The
guard. today, are mostly new men who
have not had but little rifle practice
and they need careful training and
good deal of practice. With we'll
directed effort one season will make the
guard as Il whole a very efficient body
Of marksmcn. While rifle shooting
with effect is not hard to acquire it has
to he acquired by practice. and in no
other way can marksmen be made. An
amount Of theoretical instruction is alb
Soluteiy necessary. and lessons the time
required to become good shots, but
practice and practice alone. is the only
method which will make marksmen Of
amy usefulness. instruction in the
armories during the winter mouths. and
en- active and energetic season Of prac-
tice during the spring and summer Will
change the guard from a body of sol
diers largely without experience in rifle
shooting to a body Of efficient riilemen.
| wish I'd cali your attention. ana with
pride, to the qualification of the officers
taken from the National Guard Of
Maine. now in the United States ser
vice. as sharpAhooters and superior in
Structors of rifle practice.-Such officers
as capt w. \. Paul. Capt. !. II. Baker
and Capt. Henry G. Crockett. Their
services must be of great value to the
commands to which they belong.
STATE RIFLE TEAM.
| wish to urge the formation Of a
state team. with a view Of competing
in the Interstate and State National
matches. which annually occur at Sea
Girt. New Jersey. early in September.
each year. In the year 1894, Maine
sent a team there. and although it
entered the contests under disadVen-
tages not easily overcome, nevertheless
it won individual and team honors the
State might we'll be proud Of. The
matches We're in no sense. or rather
i'm a limited sense military matches.
The attention Of the management was
sharply called to the fact that if the
conditions then existing continued to
prevail, the interest in military rifle
matches would be injured and the
national meetings cease to be patron
lied by State rifle teams. The result
has been as expected. 1t is with much
satisfaction that a decided change has
ly- 10y
Snancer. the able executive officer of
the association. 50 that the compe-
titions this wear were military matches.
and will be 50 in the future. IL Is
strongly urged now, that Maine mag
commence early the formation OF
team to represent the State IN tn
next fall competitions
CONCLUSION.
While I regret my inability to report
anv better condition Of affairs as re-
cards efficiency in rifle practice in our
gIIard. the work done this season Will
greatly aid in securing satisfactory
results the coming year. EVcrythihS
ms been done by the commandments
chief. Governor Powers and AdJutaht
General Richards. as wei! as the col
oncls commanding. Col. H. II. hch-
daI and COL Il. Il. NeWcomp 10 give
all assistance possible to improve thr
Guard in Workmanship. ana circufh
stances over which there WAS no con
trnI has prevented any better success.
Eor the assistance rendered by TN"
officers referred to wish to express
nv sincere appreciation.
r. G. harrington. Colonel ana lhsPec-