The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-08
MAY HAVE A STATE SHOOT.
COL. CAM WILL LAY THE NATTER
BEFORE THE GOVERNOR.

dale May lie Arranged for the
Georgia TrOOps-It Would Be Held
During the Summer-BeIieved the
Only Difficulty Would he That of
Money to Defrny Expenses-POssi-
BILE That Arrangements May Be
Made TO Admit Teams From Other
states TO the Competition-Savan
nah Has Trophies and Could Make
Up other Prizes as Awards in the
Contests.
\ big military rife contest is among the
probabilities for Savannah. Among mill
tary men in the city there is a strong
sentiment In favor of such an event, and
it is very likely that there viii be one. Off
GERS and men would enter gladly into the
work of arranging and preparing for the
shoot, and it is probable that June, July
or August may see one held.
Col George r. Cam, inspector general
OF rife practice. Georgia State Troops,
and one of the most enthusiastic and sue
cessful rifle shots in the state, said yes
terday that he favors such a shoot for
all the troops in Georgia, and that he
wln Lrme the matter before the Adjutant
General and the Governor when he next
visits atlanta.
ASKED if he believed the Governor would
sanction a state shoot, Col Cam replied
in the Affirmative, saying that the only
possible consideration that would induce
him to withhold his consent would be
lack of the necessary funds to defray
the expense. The same is true OF the Ad-
jutant General, both officers being deslr
GUS of perfectng the military and recOg-
nizlns the need of training in the firing
of arnls, as well as in their handling.
1t is quite possible that the shoot, if
held, will be interesting in its scope. Sa-
Vannah marksmen, VINO are well known to
those of other states through associa ton
al Sea Grit, have been receiving letters
lately inquiring about an interstate con-
test Owing 10 nothing definite in this
matter having been done, the recipients
of the letters have been unable to make
any satisfactory answers. 1t is believed
that number of teams from other states
would be glad enough to come to Savan-
nah to participate in the contests.
Col. Cam believes Georgia troops should
be first considered when The matter of the
That is because of his position as inspector
of rifle practice for the state. Personally,
however, he says he would like to see the
shoot made interstate. he does not see
why it should not be made for both the
troops of this state and others as we'll No
doubt is in Col. Cams mind that an ex-
celent attendance of military could be Sc
cured. He thinks there could be fully
as many teams brought from Georgia
alone as attend the big contests at Sea
Grit Counting them up, he found that
there are at least seven commands in Sa-
Vannah from which teams may be counted
upon and he was equally positive that al
least ten from various cities in Georgia
could be expected.
AVondale Rifle Range is the best in the
South, and it is not believed there is one
in the country that surpasses it. 1t is
we'll equipped with all the needful ap-
paratus for shooting, and there is no rea-
son in the world, experts say, why there
should not be successful rifle meets here.
1t has long been the dream of number
of those who have taken the greatest in
terest in such matters to see annual meet
ings arranged for the Avondale range. A
state meet was held for the military in
1885 1t is thought the prospective one
will be far more successful than that.
There were then but few out-of-town
companies represented. If the state, as
is hoped, will furnish a per diem for the
men and their transportation, there should
be no reason why a large attendance
should not I've secured
An important point to be considered
will be the time for the contests. 1t Is
held that many more teams could man
age to appear if, instead of May, as be-
fore, the meet should be in June July,
August or even September. August is
looked upon as probably the best of all.
as the country commands might then be
able to send teams, the crops being laid
by" May is too early for two reasons.
Members of many Of the commands will
then be busy with farm work, and it
would be impossible for them to get
away. The month is also too early in the
northern part of the state to have allow
ed much time for practice, as cold wealth
er has not been long over when May ar
rives.
Coz. Cam says there would be no diffi-
Guilty about getting the necessary tro-
phies and prizes. Already there are the
DeRenne and the De Soto trophies, the
former very handsome and worthy the
best efforts of any contestants ludivid-
ual and other team prizes could be readily
secured.