The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-17

at least one centrally located rifl6
range. with sufficient adjacent land for
| a camp of instruction, be procured as
| promptly as possible. A soldier Is use
less If he can not shoot to hit, and 1t
takes time and practice to make a
marksman with the long range rifle
AT present, the average Virginia mil
itiaman has no opportunity to become
an expert shot. The reason for there
being no Virginia State range: is that
the present state appropriation for the
support of the militia is insufficient to
pay the incidental expenses Of the mil
itary establishment, even with the prac-
tice of the strctest economy and there
have been no available funds for the
purchase or maintenance of range or
camp ground near for paying expenses
incidental to rifle competition,
The first especial appropriation for
target practice became available inJuly,
1906. and there is not now enough money
4, the credit of the State from that source
for the purchase of suitable land prop
erly located, the construction 81 range
and necessary buildings, arranging for
camp site, water supply. drainage and
sewerage and for its maintenance. The
Legislature should be asked to provide
for the purchase and equipment OF
permanent camp-ground, Win view
of using this in connection with a
rifle range. the latter to be purchased.
enuipped and maintained from the
United States appropriation. In time
of war or international troupie tnere
| is no chance to teach men 10 shool' any
the instruction in this, tosether Will
tho camp training the men "ouia "
Ceive would prove soou is'u' =
the money invested,
Let Them Shoot, Says Lecay.
Colonel Robert f. Leedy, Of LuraS'
has the following ! 70 I, say :, means nos
sess a range for rifle practice ana a.
camp ground as well. 1t IS pertes.is
| foolish to spend money trying 70 e IN,
| struct the militia in the duties o. q
soldier when the most necessa -, .ss; -
absolutely ignored ana e 1..ss
| Tea ching men to march and to dress
neatly end TO observe the duties ~
| the camp and perform theln WEI, 10 ~ >,
| of course. essentials; but they may
! have all this, and If not instrnSteu \
and exercised so as TO become e!hcler ,.
marksmen, they are only good 70 look
| at, and TO shoot at and 10 DC slo.,
because they are lacking IN VIZ pa tns
principle of offense and defense, 10
wit. rmarksmanship. ! would say ;,
above , Everything, and first of al.
| teach the boys to shoot, ana 70 ~ !.
| what they shoot at. Tor atlle ieasoi' Ni.'.
| in actual service the more You snoot
the other lsss a ha W KEEN sn step
| IN nerfect time and salute on every
occasion and look pretty Is, + one y, TIME n
care Of Yourself and doing the most
damage 10 the enemy is another' the
latter accomplishment can only@be ac-
/ complished By rifle practice
Il know OF no reason why the Sla ad
I does not own 4, camp-ground and riiie
/ range except that she was once toe
poor to do So condition; however
/ Which does not exist to-day. The neXl
4 General Assembly will find nearly
$1,000. 900 of surplus in the State Treas
/ ury and 1t only remains TO be seen
! whether or not II will appronratea 9
respectable fund for the maintenance
and support of the Virginia ,volun,
teers. The glories Of Virginia's past
I, nchievements and the hope Of her f,l-
ture prestige, her peace and security
1 in person and In property, demand thai
she should have M, .Toln ,a. ne 5G,r rec
Land the General Assembly ought tt
sec 10 1t that she has that or none.