354 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[June 3, 1880. 



A WEEKLY JOURNAL, 



Devoted to ItaB and Aquatic Sports. Practical Natural, 

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A HbALTHT iNTJCBJfiST IN OUT-DOOK KECREAXION AND STUDY : 



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NEW YORK, THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1880. 



To Correspondents. 



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THE NEW YOR K STATE CONVENTION. 



THE Twenty-second Annual Convention of the New 

 York State Association for the Protection of Fish 

 and Game, which met at Seneca Falls, on Monday, May 

 24th, was a perfect ovation of success. The Long Island 

 Sportsmen's Association, which was only represented by 

 the Fountain Gun Club, of Brooklyn, last year, this year 

 sent fifty-live delegates from the various clubs, a number 

 which wag unparalleled. They were enthusiastic and 

 generous in every respect, and asked the Convention to 

 come East for once and see what the Eastern sportsmen 

 were composed ;of ; 'also, they thought great benefit 

 could be derived in having a thorough understanding in 

 relation to game laws and fisheries by having their in- 

 land friends fully appreciate what was needed on the 

 coast, and seeing for themselves during a brief visit to 

 that section. The Long Island delegation went to Seneca 

 Falls in two Wagner cars, especially chartered for the oc- 

 casion, which were as well equipped as any hotel in the 

 country, by their everlasting caterer, Mr. Harry Miller, 

 of Flatbush avenue, Brooklyn. Nothing was wanting 

 in the shape of edibles, even to frogs' legs, well broiled ; 

 drinkables, cigars, etc. The party had a splendid run up, 

 and were received at the depot by delegations from the 

 Seneca Gun Club and the Phoenix Club, of Seneca Falls, 

 with a good band of music, and escorted to their hotel, 

 the Hoag House, whose proprietor, Milton Hoag, is one 

 of the best shots in the State, as well as one of the most 

 genial landlords. Upon their arrival, the delegation im- 

 mediately took possession of the main parlor, and in- 

 vited all in attendance to join them at their festive board 

 in celebrating the occasion. The music in front of the 

 house of course attracted the crowd, and every one was 

 well provided for. The proprietor remarked that tin 

 gentlemen from Long Island were on a par with the rest 

 of the gentlemen represented, and were entitled to every 

 consideration. Every delegation arriving was cordially 

 received in the same manner, and every courtesy ex- 

 tended by both the home clubs. The Seneca" and 

 Phoenix both had their club-room doors wide open for 

 their guests, everything was free and equal in all respects, 

 and a finer set of gentlemen could not be selected than 

 the numerous club delegates from all sections of the 

 State. 

 At the meeting on Monday evening everything was 



harmonious, and after routine business had been dis- 

 posed of and motion made for locating the next meeting, 

 it was unanimously passed by acclamation that the Long 

 Island Association should have it. This was a new fea- 

 ture in the Convention, as it has for the past twenty 

 years been hotly contested for by ballot, and in many in- 

 stances carried over until the second evening before the 

 question could be settled. Of course our Long Island 

 friends felt good. Why shouldn't they ? Such a solid vote 

 was never beforo heard during the many years of existence 

 of the Association. After the adjournment, an elegant 

 banquet was served, and after that the Long Island clubs 

 did their part in the parlors of then: hotel. Of the recep- 

 tion by the clubs neither could claim a. superiority. The 

 Seneca Club did well, and the Phoenix Club more than 

 well under the circumstances under which they were sit- 

 uated, and we were pleased to see that no personal ri- 

 valry existed in entertaining their guests. No matter 

 which room was entered, the doors were open and a cor- 

 dial hand ready to greet one. 



Of the field we must say a few words. The tents were 

 neatly arranged, and -well provided with edibles free to 

 all. The Spencer Club, of Lyons, had quite a large tent, 

 well arranged with camp cots, etc. The Forester Club, 

 of Buffalo, had their handsome striped tent well stocked, 

 as usual. The Adirondack, Jefferson and Lewis County 

 clubs had their usual tent well furnished with every 

 comfort. The Dean Richmond tent was always open 

 and free, to all. The Queen City Club, of Buffalo, had a 

 large tent, well equipped, and the old Monroe County 

 Club, of Rochester, had their usual large tent well supplied 

 with everything, and the usual pile of straw on one sidej 

 where an overworked or tired man could take a good nap 

 during the day. The Audubon Club, of Buffalo, ex- 

 tended their hospitalities as usual, and all friends were 

 welcome. The tent of the Seneca Gun Club was an opeu 

 house for all, like the rest. But the largest tent on 

 the ground, with the highest flag-pole and largest flag, 

 was that of the Long Island Association. This, like the 

 rest, was never empty and never dry. Moisture was no 

 name for it, and after they once let down the sides, every- 

 body was welcome. The Onondaga County Club, of 

 Syracuse, had the square, large tent that had become so 

 well known in previous years. Besides these, there were 

 numerous small tents for private purposes on the 

 grounds. 



Of the birds we can say, that a finer lot were seldom 

 seen ; they were all wild, in good condition, and good 

 flyers. With the management no fault could be found, 

 and everything passed off rapidly and pleasantly. Of tin 

 gentlemen present, it would take a whole paper to put ii 

 their names. We especially wish to remember our old 

 friends from all sections who have been present for 

 years and know their own names, but among the new 

 comers we should not fail to name Mr. George A. Chap- 

 pell, of Brooklyn, a veteran sportsman, and deeply 

 identified with the fishing interests of the State ; also, 

 Mr. Henry Altenbrand, of Brooklyn, who organized a 

 club especially to be a partner to this occasion, and when 

 once there could not tear himself away. There are many 

 others of the same type, but they have yet to learn what 

 a New York State shoot is. Last, but not least, we can- 

 not forget Mr. ChaB. E. Fisk, of Brooklyn, who acted 

 the part of a nobleman, and we were delighted to see 

 that he was made referee in the first important contest. 



During the entire week not a bet was made as to re- 

 sults in any contest. 



Our Brooklyn friends ought to feel pretty well satis- 

 fied, as they have won some of the most valuable prizes. 

 In the first place they won the Convention without a dis- 

 senting voice ; then Mr. MacMaster's valuable picture, 

 the Pierce Diamond Badge, the Dean Richmond Trophy, 

 the Wadsworth Cup — and tho broom. 



The Standing Committee for the ensuing year consists 

 of Robert Robinson, Brooklyn ; James F. AVilliams, 

 Dansville j Jacob M. Witmer, Niagara Falls ; Henry H. 

 Morse, Rochester. 



Fire Arm Frauds. — By reference to our rifle columns 

 it will be seen that the postal authorities have issued 

 order withholding all money orders addressed to the 

 " Chichester Rifle Company," of Jersey City, N. J., on 

 the ground that tho company is a fraud, and the business 

 conducted by it a swindle. We have repeatedly warned 

 our readers against this concern, and are rejoiced to see 

 its operations finally broken up. The " Chichester rifle" 

 was extensively advertised all over the country as 

 " great bargain, equal to any rifle in the world," etc., and 

 over the advertisement was placed a out of a sportsman 

 shooting deer and of a settler defending himself against 

 Indians. This was to deceive the reader as to the nature 

 of the arm. The rifles were advertised at the low price 

 of $4.50, and the advertisement was a magnificent one. 

 The arm in reality, which the purchaser would receive, if 

 he sent his money, was a small caliber (pocket pistol 

 size), cheap made revolver, with a small stock added , in 

 fact, only a toy. 



This is but one, however, of many similar articles at 

 present being pushed before the public. Large adver- 

 tisements, attractively worded, are constantly appearing 

 of some great bargains in fire arms— of revolvers, rifles or 



guns being sold at less than cost, or than regular dealers 

 can furnish. The advertisements describe immense pro- 

 ductions—of wonderful demands from all parts of the 

 country and inform the reader that for only a short time 

 can they be obtained at the prices named. 



It seems strange that an ordinary mortal can swallow 

 so much and not ,; see through it." There is no reason 

 why new firms, unheard of before, should spring up and 

 be able to sell good articles cheaper than old established 

 houses ; and certainly he is a fool who trusts at all to 

 these advertisements, and a still greater fool if he sends 

 his money. We have lately seen a revolver, shown by a 

 friend, who bought one, and we have read the advertise- 

 ment accompanying it. It was represented to be equal to 

 Smith & Wesson's beautiful high grade revolvers in 

 workmanship and quality, and to he the handsomest 

 revolver ever seen in America ! The price was $3,75. It 

 was said to be worth really §10, and a story was told of 

 their being made for a Russian order, who failed to take 

 them. The real truth is, they are cheap quality, poorly 

 engraved little revolvers, costing less than $3 to make, 

 and of course the Russian contract story is too ridiculous. 

 Wewould not put our head behind one of these dangerouB 

 little tools. Life and limb are too precious to be risked 

 by the blowing up of $3 worth of poor metal. The very 

 best makes of guns do occasionally burst, but such an 

 aocident is exceedingly rare. Cheap fire arms often 

 burst ; as a rule they are liable to go to pieces. 



Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad, 

 and the madness is sometimes exhibited by the use of 

 cheap, poorly made firearms, which prove the agencies 

 of self destruction. 



THE TEAM OFF. 



TO-DAY an American team sails for the second time to 

 meet an Irish team on Irish soil. They have 

 gathered together in a quiet sort of a way, hot altogether 

 in the wisest manner of selection, as the present sharp 

 discussion on that topic indicates ; nor is the team, 

 while beyond question a strong one in its individual 

 components, the unit we should like to see, nor 

 such ateam as a sober, calm review of the field would 

 have made up. It is too early yet to judge of Col. 

 Bochhe's capabilities as a commander, and even should 

 defeat meet the team on the field at Raheny there is 

 something to be said in mitigation of it. In fact, we are 

 not altogether out of the opinion that a mild dose of 

 defeat at this time would do American rifle shooting a 

 vast deal of good, and we know of no team better able 

 to swallow the bitter pill than this one There is no 

 doubt a spirit of lethargy in rifle shooting here which a 

 rebuff abroad may be instrumental in dispelling. The 

 team have not had a single day's practice as a team under 

 the eye of its captain, and once on the Irish soil and in the 

 hands of a reception committee, virtually as extensive as 

 the Irish census roll, the team will have hard work in 

 getting any practice of great value on the range there. 



With a very good motive, but in a rather cumbrous 

 manner Withal, the Board of Directors thoroughly dissi- 

 pated one phantasm which has been floating about for 

 some days past. — that the team is sent out with a general 

 shooting co m m ission to make a descent Upon Ireland in 

 the first instance, and then complete tho campaign with a 

 sortie into England, The team has been created and is 

 sent abroad with but a very slender backing, it is true; to 

 do one thing and one thing only — to hold a team match 

 with Irish riflemen. The expression of this idea was 

 aimed at when tho directors unanimously esolved "Rthat 

 we consider it inexpedient for our representatives to enter 

 into any team match except the one they ate sent to 

 Ireland to shoot." The match over, it is the right of the 

 marksmen to do as they please, but not to enter into 

 international matches as representatives of anything 

 except themselves. Any matches of that sort which may 

 be had, however much they may be thought to ad vertiso 

 this, that or another rifle, are merely " scrub matches," 

 and any attempt to galvanize the fortuitous concourse of 

 atoms, as the team will be when the last shot of the Irish 

 match has been fought, into a living organic team, deserves 

 no encouragement from this side of the ocean. It is not 

 at all creditable to American rifle shooting, and is the 

 one thing which will help to swell the already-rising tide 

 of opposition to professionalism in American rifle shoot- 

 ing, that the Board of Directors are forced to the con- 

 sideration of such a problem at all. There seems to be 

 wanting on the part of the team, or some of them, or 

 those into whose contact and influence they will come on 

 the other side, that nice sense of propriety which would 

 cheek them from belittlingthe match which led to their 

 visit, to meet the convenience of those who have obliga- 

 tions on this side the water yet to meet. It should be 

 understood at Wimbledon that until the Palma is wrested 

 from us and added to the trophies of the exhibition tent 

 on Wimbledon Common, no representative American 

 team can visit that shooting ground, however many 

 ' ' ad vertiBing " and so-called American teams may turn 

 up with big pretensions. 



i for Ireland may find a difficult task before it. 

 It has a short task to perform if it confines itself to its 

 errand. It may be that defeat has not been without its 

 fruit of victory on the plucky Irish marksmen. The 



