Sept. 10, 1891.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



IBB 



HACKETTSTOWN TOURNAMENT. 



The first aTinual tournament of The Gun Club was held at 

 Haekettstown, N.J. SepM to 3. The mpptine was unrler the 

 managt-ment of James Smi h, one of New J< rs^y's most popular 

 trap shots, and. was a thoiongbly tiicces^ful one in every 

 particular. 



The Gun Club is a new organization, ardhare not as yet fenced 

 in its grounds, which are nicely located; with this esceptenn, the 

 grounds are as good as any in the Stste. A neat club house has 

 been erected, and all necessary p<raphernalia is found. Themeet- 

 ing wasfavorerl by perfect weailier, and, considering the amount 

 of shoofing that is going on in this vicini'y. the attendance was 

 good. Tue first two days were devoted to bluerocks, and the tar- 

 gei 3 worked nicely, the trapjiiug was excellent, and the targets 

 when hit. proved to be good breakers 



The programme announcpd that 5 per cent, of all ptirses and 40 

 per cent, of surplus in guaraniped events would go toward mak- 

 ing a fund for averages, alfo that shooters would be clns«iiied as 

 in the Manufacturers and Dealers' meetings. E. D. Miller being 

 the only expert upon f e ground during the first day, he was com- 

 pelled to stio'it under the exp'-rt rules, but « as cmgoled some what 

 l>y vaking ibe average money in his class without a struggle, 

 iNli-. J. Vaa D pke ta u iug lirsc tn Lhe amateur class with an average 

 of a fraction over 93 per cent. W. E. Stewart got second with 

 88<6 per cent. 



First Day, Tuesday, Sept. 5. 



No. 1, 10 single blue-^n. k^. 81 entrance: 



Klees 1111111111-10 Mills 1111011011—7 



Stewart 1111110110- 8 Wneutnall O'llOlUlti— 7 



Van Dyke IHMuOOI- 8 Ttllou OlOlllllUl— 7 



Dean OllllUllll- 8 Jackson 0110110101—6 



Kuger Kiniium— 8 B Reeves 1111010100—6 



W Smith . . .1011011111— 8 Vaa Msline llOOlOlOtiO— 4 



Qtiimby 0111111101- 8 



No. 3, 15 singl« bluriocfc^, $1 50 entranoe; 



Tellou limi 1 11111111—15 Reeves 11111 111110101 0-12 



Miller llUOinillll 11— 14 Qiiimbv llllOllllllOl 10-12 



Stewart 111111111110111—14 J Smith llXllllllinoOll-11 



Tan Dj-ke 111111101 Hm 1—14 Acdison OUOluinOlOlll -10 



Dean 111101111011111—13 J«ckson OllOUOIOlO 001— 8 



Brienlnall llollLOlllllll— 13 Eager lllOOOOulllOOlO— 7 



Klees 111111111011110-13 



No. 3, 10 single oluerccKs. $1 entrv: 



Van DyKe 1111111111—10 J Smith 1111011110-1. 



Miller 1111110111- H Jackson .1101110101—7 



Brientnall lllllUOil - 9 Tellou 100 lli0Il-7 



Stewart lUlliOUl— 9 Aidi«on 10<l0110 11-6 



Dean lllllOUl —9 Van Als tine lOOlHaill— 6 



Quimby 11! 1011 lU— 9 Rpeves Illotllll"0 6 



Klees 0101111111— 8 Eager 0110)11100-5 



No. 4, 20 single bluer( ck-, $25 gu 'rauteed, $2 eotrv: 



Stewart ..lllinilOimillim 19 Dean 11110110111110111111-17 



Miller ....01111111111111110111-18 J Smith . .lOUilOlUllOl 111111-17 



Kl ees lOlllll 111110111 iia— 1 8 Reeves ... .11 lOll 11 0111 111 1 100 1— 16 



Van DykelllOlll 1111101111111— 18 \V South. .1111101011110111001 1-15 

 Quimhy . .lllllillllllOilUlOO— 17 BrientnaliOillOjllUllllllOillO-14 

 lellon 11110111011111011111- 17 Addison. .llUllliOOlOU/ljOllU— 13 



No. 6, 1,T siugie '» u-iocK-. $1.50 entry: 



Vhh iJyke lllllll 1111111. —15 M ller 110111111011101—12 



Ayres llllillillllUO— 14 Stewart 111111110010111—13 



W Smith lllillOilU'lll 14 Dean 111110100011111-11 



JSmirh llllUOliailll-14 Klees lOlllllllOlUlCl -11 



JacRbon OmillllllOUl-13 Reeves 01010110.111111-11 



AddisoQ llilllllliOOlli— la Quimhy no aOlllllUlOl-lO 



Brieurnall . . . .111011111111110—13 Tellnn llllaOlOlOllOll— 10 



No 6, 10 single bluei o ks, |i entry: 



Quimby 1111111111—10 Brientnall 1101111101— 8 



Scewart lllllllUl-lO Tellon 1101111011—8 



Miller 01111 UUl— 9 VauAlstine 1101100111—7 



Klees llliOlini— 9 Astra lOOlOlllIl— 7 



Jackson lUllliOll- 9 J Smith lllUOllOlO- e 



W Smith UlllUOll— 9 Reeves OlUlOOlOO - 5 



Van Dyke ill.lUlOl— 9 liager OjlOOOUil 5 



Dean 0110111111— 8 Baxter lOOOoOlOlO— 5 



Addison OOnililll- 8 



No. 7, 15 single tiluHr c^s, S25 guaranteed, g3 pnir-r: 



Van Dyke 111111111111111-15 Tellon 101110111111110-13 



Stewart lllllUlllJllll— 16 Jacksoa llllllOlOllllOO -11 



Klees... lullllllillUll— 14 Quimbv llOinoUUOUO-il 



Biientnall im.lOiilUlll 14 VV Smith OOUlllOOlllUO— 10 



Miller 11 11100 1 1111111—13 Bascer 11011101 ilOO. 00- 9 



Dean lUllOlUOlilil— 13 Aadison llllOlOhiOlulOl— 9 



Ayer« 111110111101111—13 Eager llonoOlOlOt'lll— 9 



J. Smith llOlinOllllill- 13 Reeves OOOOlCUOlOOOll— 6 



No. 8, 10 single bxuciocks $1 tniry. Experts: 



Miller 1111011111 9 J Smith 1110101100—6 



Brientnall 0111011111—8 



Amateur: 



Van Dyke 1110111111-9 Dean ...,1110111010-7 



Addison 1111111011—9 Eager 1101101110—7 



VauAlstine 0111011111—8 JwcKson 1101111010—7 



Stewart 1111011110-8 Baxter OflOlllldH)— 5 



W Smith lliniilOi)-7 Quimby Caioillidl— 5 



Klees 110111 lOiO— T Reeves lUllOOuOO— 5 



Avers OUlillOol— 7 



In this event Smitri ana Brientnall joined Miller in his lonely 

 fignt and shot the expert ruie. 



iNo. 9. 20 single hiuerocks, $1.50 entrance: 

 Bri-ntnaiimillllllOlllllllll-19 Klees. .. .11110110111101111100-15 



Van Di ke 11111111011111111101 -18 Ai ers 1101011111 1 uOllllllO-15 



Miller . . . .lllllOlllClUiniliO— 17 Baxter. . ..01 1 lOlOlOlOlilui U .0-13 



Stewart . .OlllllllillUluOllll— 17 Kag«r 11110010101111011100—13 



J Smith . .lOlUllllOllllllOill-17 Jacksin ..lOUllOUOlllUlOOllOl- 12 

 W smith ,111101111110 1 llullU-ir V Alstiue.OO 1101100011011100 -11 



Dean 0111illll01111uH110-16 Quimby . .OOllOllllOlluOiOlOlO-ll 



Addisnn . .lOOilUUlllUOllllll- 16 



Jso. 10, 10 single blu^ruCKS, $1 entrance: 



W Smiih 1111111111—10 Jackson 1101111110—8 



Addibon llllilllll— 10 Stewart lllOlillOl— I 



Ayers 1111111111-10 Miller OlOlOlllll-'. 



Van Dyke llllUlill— 10 Brientnall lOiOlOlUl- 7 



Dean llOillUll— 9 Bd.xter 1010101111—7 



Klees UOllllilO - 8 Quimby OlllOilOa— 7 



J Smith lUilllOill— 8 Reeves 110x100110—6 



Viiet IIILUIOIO -8 



No. 11, 10 smgle bluerocks, fjl entrance: 



Van Dyke 1111111111-10 Brientnall lOlUOIlll— 



Kleea Ullllllli-lO W Smith OlllllllOl-li 



Dean lUUimi- 10 Ayers 1110110111-8- 



St'-wart lluliiill— 10 Qinoiby lliOllluOi— 7 



Miller lUOlulll— •i' Aridisou 0011011101—6 



J Smith llllllilOl- 9 Baxter OlOUulOU— 6 



Jackson lillllUlll— 9 Taa Alstine lOllOOuOOO— 3 



Reeves Olllliilll- 9 Eager lOOOOlOuOO— 3 



Second Day, Wcdiie-Hday, Sept. 2. 



The second day opened bright and warm and a few new arrivals 

 were noticed. W. R. Hohan, representiag Von Lengerke & Det- 

 mold, Neat Apgar, Henry O. Squires's representative and Milt F 

 Linosley being the nddaions m the expert class. John Rtggott, 

 of Rockaway, Louis F. Dotigan (Davenpori), of Brookljn, Dukes, 

 of Newark, and Al Heritage swel Ing the enirits m the amateur 

 class. A number of ladies were upon the grounds, among whom 

 were Mrs Lindsley and Mrs. Heiitage. Mrs. James Smuh h«d 

 the ladies in charge and helped largely to make their visit a pleas- 

 ant one. . - 



The averaee money m the expert class was divided by E. D. 

 Miller and Neat Apgar, each breaking SSh per cent. W. E. 

 Stewart (Old Texas) at last striking his gait and grinding out a 

 per centage of Qih, John Rlggoil taKing second with 8985 per ceot. 



No. 1, 10 single bluerocks, Jl entry, 4 moneys: Hxperis— Neaf 

 Apear 10, Miller 6, Hobert 6. Amateurs— Stewart 10, J. Smith 10 

 Riggotr 9, Brientnall 9, Dukes 9, Heritage 8, Ayers 8, Davenport 6^ 



No. 2, 10 single bluerocks, §1.50 entry: Experts— Miller 10 Apgar 

 8, Hobart 7. Amateurs: Stewart 10, Brientnall 9, J. Smith 9, 

 Rifgoit 8, Davenport 8, As ers 8. Dukes 7, Heritage 5, Baxter 3 



No. 3, 15 single bmerocks, $1.40 entrance. Experts— Mi iler 14, 

 Apgar 12, Hobari 9. Amateurs -Riggott 15, StewHrt 14, Heritage 

 13. Brientnall 13, S. Smith 12, Dukes 11, Davenport 9, Baxter 6. 



No. 4, 20 single olu-rnck>, $25 guaranteed, S3 50 entrance. Ex- 

 ports: Neaf ApiarlO, Midei 18, Hobart 14. Amateur-: Riggott 

 20, Stewart 19, J. Smith 17, Ajres 17, Brientnall 16, Heritage 16, 

 "Davenport" 14, "Be U" 14. 



No. 5, 10 single blueriicks, $1 entrance. Experts: Miller 9, 

 Hobar 8, Aogar 6. Amateurs: Si ewart 10, Brieui nail 10, "Daven- 

 port" 10, Dukes 9, Riggott 8, Ajres 8, J. Smith 8, Heritage 7, 

 Re>d 0. 



No. 6, 15 single bluerocks, $1.50 entrance. Experts: Neaf Apgar 

 15. Miller 14 Hooatt 7. Ama eurs: Stewart 15, Dukes 13. Ayes 

 13, Brientnall 13, Heritage 12, Riggott 12, J. Smith 12, "Daven- 

 port" 9. 



No. 7. 15 single hlnerocl<s, $1.50 entrance. Experts: Miller 15, 

 Neaf Apgar 14, Hobart 9. Amateurs: Dukes 14, Riggott 13, J. 

 Stnitb 13. "Davenport" 13, Stewart 13. Brientnall 10, Heritage 8. 



No. 8, 20 single bluerocks, §25 guaranteed, $3.60 entrance. Ex- 



perts: Neaf Apgar 17, Miller 16. Amateurs: Hobart 19, Riggott 

 IS. Dukes 18, .). Smita 17, S'ewart 17, Ayres 16, Brienlnall 16, 

 Heriragp 14, "Davenport" 11, Young 9. 



No. 9. 10 single bluerocks, $1.42 entrance, experts: Miiler9 Neaf 

 Apgar P. Lindf-ley 8, Brienlnall 8. Hobart 3. Amateurs: Dukes 9, 

 J. Smith 9, Riggott 9. Stewart 8. Heritage 7. ' DHVenpori" 4. 



No. 10, 10 singlo blutrocks, $1 entrv, experts: Neaf Apsar 9, 

 Millt-r 8, Lindsley 8, Rrientnall 6. J. Smith 6. Amateurs: Stewart 

 10, Dukes 10, Riggoti 9, Heritage 7. J. Barr 6, "Davenport" 6. 



Third Day. Thursday, Sept. k. 



This the last day of the meeting was ktiown as Hve-hird day, 

 and in consequence a new set of men are seen facing the traps. 

 With one or two exceptions not a man of them is ever seen at an 

 inanimate target shoot, but when 11vp birds are offered their pres- 

 ei ce can be counted upon. The birds offered wpre an exception- 

 ally good lot, and the tie shoots were hotly fought. 



No. 1, 4 live birds, $3 entrance, 4 mnneys: 



M L'udMey 2322- 4 J Smith 0112-3 



Given 2231-4 Ed Smith 1101—3 



W E Stpwart 1111-4 Oannon 0113-3 



W F Q limby 1101—3 "Hollis" lo22-3 



JRigKort 0-'2l— 3 Baxter 2110-3 



' Francis" lllo-3 W Apgar ol30— 3 



Davenport 1120-3 McVickfir 1002-2 



First div,. second shot off ai.d div. hy Rifgnft, Francis. Daven- 

 port and Cannon, each killing 8 birds; J.Smith dropped his 8th, 

 Hollis dropped out on ihc 4r,h round and Ed Smith on the 2d. 



No. 3, 811ve birds, S5 pn'rance, 4 raone\s: 



J Smith 21122311-8 Qoimhv loll.2100-5 



Hollis linilll— 8 Francis ]ol23200 5 



Lindsley 322222o2— 7 (iiw-ns 2i20o220— 5 



R'ggott I2I02122— 7 E Smith 33130 00—5 



Stewart 11111201—7 OHiinon rnOlOlO— 5 



W Apgar 102O1111-6 McVicar 0312i012— 5 



Davefport 11112001- 0 Mack 20 200,v. ■ 



Baxter 02110111—6 



First, second and third div., fourth won on shool-off by Ed 

 Smith with 5 ki'ls. 



No. 3, 8 live birds. $5 entrancp, 4 moneys: 



Davenport 11121112-8 Givens Iliri301— 7 



Quimby 12232011-7 Francis 12010111—6 



Lindsley 22330222 7 M"ck 10212110-6 



Higgott 1H10222— 7 Gannon ol3010l2— 5 



J Smith 21112011—7 Stewart 101' 0111 5 



ISd Smith 10111112 7 W .-Vpgar 10210120—5 



Hollis 11220212-7 Wanda 022120o0— 4 



Davenport fi'St, second shot out and div. bv Quimby, Linasley 

 and Riggott with 3 each. Mack won third and Cannon f ourth. 



No. 4 4 live birds. $3 entrv. 3 mouevs: 



"Wand a"* 2212—4 R i ggo tt 12,30-3 



Quimby 1111—4 N Apgar 2220—3 



"i^Tancis" 1221-4 Givens S:i02-3 



"Davenport" 1111—4 McVicar 0212—3' 



S'^ewart 1221-4 J Sm-th 



• Hollis" 1212-4 Ed Smith 0230 -2 



Drake 0131—3 Cannon 0103-2 



Lindsley 2203-3 "Mnck" 0011—3 



* Birds only. Quimby woo tirst with hardly a struggle, as each 

 of his c pponents dropped out in their first round. The tie for 

 second and third mon vs was most exciting the winners of second 

 money, L'ndslej and Givens each killed 6, and Ed. Smith had to 

 kill 9 n his class to get, ibe lucre. 



No. 5, 4 live birds, $3 entrv. 3 moneys: 



Quimby 2211 4 G Smith 1111-4 



Lindsley 2221—4 "Francis" 1201— J 



R egott 1211—4 "Davenport" 1011-3 



Cannon 2112—4 JSmith.. 1101 3 



'Hollis" 1111-4 Stewart 0111-3 



THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE TOURNAMENT. 



WrLLiAMSPOUT, Pa., Sept. 5.— The Executive Committee of 

 the Pouna.\l . Huia State Sportsmen's Association Tournament, 10 

 be held at Williamspori. fa., Sept. 29 to Oct. 2, recently seat out 

 through th- mails 5.000 invitation card? to the various sun clubs 

 throughout the State and adj nnlng States. On 'be back rf thefe 

 cards it was stated that ah sweepstakes shooting would be con- 

 ducted unrier the Expert Handicap Rules. Sinre mfliling same, 

 the c mmiitee, at a meeting called for the purpos" of discussing 

 this matter, have decided to change this rule a littl". 



In looking over ibesrores mide at the di fferenc tourn"mfints 

 during ihe past few montus. itis quite appar* nt that the expert 

 rule is ratner severe unless the cla^s^tlcHtion is drawn finer. 

 Tnere appear to be only a few persons classed as experts, who can 

 make as good an average as the average amareur, who shoots 

 at unknown angles, rapia flrius system, and the only solace the 

 experts have had, has been in dividing the surplus in the guaran- 

 teed even's. 



It is also an acknowledged fact, that the amateur shooters will 

 nnt attend tournaments and put up their cash on "open rrars" 

 with expert'', as tuey ttano but a slim chance of setti^ g anything 

 out of the po'; but they are willing to go into events on even 

 terms, and with a fair shovvof getting a place. The committee 

 after carefully discussing the various wavs of handicap, have 

 decided to run all open sweepstake events at this tournament on 

 an expert handicap rule in this way, viz.: The experts will shoot 

 iheir scores iirst from a set of traps arranged to change the 

 angles instantly, shooting at known traps and unknown angles, 

 rapid firing system; and the amateurs will shoot at known traps. 

 Known angles, same system. 



This the commitiee feel will be as near a perfect equalization 

 as It is possible to make. 



The committee also feel that they have done their duty to both 

 classes of shooters, and fully expect the same w'll be appreciated. 

 From reports received up to date, a large crowd of shooters is 

 expected. 



Two sets of five traps will be in constant operation for the 

 sweepstake events, and will he onen for practice and sweeps 

 Monday, Sept. 28, at 10 o'clock A.M. 



The programmes will he out by the lOtli inst., and will be sent 

 to all shooters m the State and ad.1oininir States. Applications 

 arc being received daily from shooters in other States. It is appar- 

 ent that a large interest is being taken in our first State snoot. 

 Programmes will bo cheerfully sent to all who wish them by 

 addressing tne undersiiined. 



Arrangements bavebeenm.-ide with the Trunk Line Association 

 for one-third reduction in railroad fare, and all ticket agents in the 

 State have been instructed to issue excursion tickets to Willia.m.=- 

 port at the rate of two cents per mile, good gning from Sept. 28 

 to Oct. 3, and returning Oct. 3: regular excursion rates from 

 New York and Phlladplphia. 



Tne W^illiamsport Gun Club extend to all shooters in the 

 United States and Canada a most cordial invitation to be present 

 at our first State Shoot, and; will guai-autee a good time and 

 pleasant shoot to all who accept this invitation Everything 

 will he done for the pleasure and convenience of all present. The 

 live bird shooting on the last day will be an interesting feature 

 of the programme. We have plenty of birds, and the events can 

 be extended to Saturday if the shooters desire. 



Come on, bos s. and bring your guns. There will be plenty of 

 ammunition of all kinds ou the grounds, if yon do not choose to 

 burden yourselves with ru extra load. 



N. A. HiTGHES, Chairman Executive Committee, 



Model Faehts and Boats. Their design, making and sailing, with 

 desigvs and working drawings. Postpaid, ^B. 



WATSON'S PABK.-Burns1de, liL, Aug. 38.-The Audubon 

 Club. Kern trophy. 20 live pigeons, Ulinols State rules: 

 J E Priee 17 R B Wadsworth. ..19 C Morris 13 



Aug i9.— Gun Club shoot: 

 Dr J M Hutchinson 1103133111—9 



Blackbird medal, same day: 

 Dr J M Hutchrnsou 00000010000000000000—1 



Sept. 3.— The Fort Dearborn Club for club medal, 15 live pigeons, 

 American Association rules: 



Dr Hutchinson.... 7 G Kleinmani 13 *A W Adams 11 



CD Gam mon 13 A Kleinman.. 14 *J P Adama 6 



*GU(?6tS. 



BlHckbird medal, same day: 



G Kleinman 18 *A W Adams 15 *J"P Adams. 10 



A Kleinman 18 



Hin> sts. Ties ou 18 for medal: G. Kleiinaa 4, A. Kleinman 5.— 

 Ravelbigg. 



HARRISBURG, Pa.— The new club hnu=e and grounds of the 

 Harrihbnrg shooting Association will be opened by a iwo-dnvs' 

 shoot, Sept. U and 12; $3(X} worth of merchandise prizes, donated 

 bv local merchants, will make up the prize list in 18 evenia. and 

 the Association will donate a $100 trophv for the 6- men ream for 

 cbampionship of cent ral Penus.vlvauia. The grounds cover thr, e 

 acres, and are but 20 minutes' ride from the center of the city. 

 The shooter is under cover, and will always be dry, cool and com- 

 fortable. 



JAOKfSONVILIjE, ILL., SCORES will be given next week. 



YACHTSMEN AND THE LAW. 



TN view of the importance of the pleasure fleet as a most useful 

 auxiliary to the navy and the merchant marine, a fact that 

 in most maritime countries has long received practical recogni- 

 tion in the form of special privileges and immunities, the present 

 attitude of the United States Government toward American 

 yachtsmen is most unprecedented. The domain of red tape is 

 universal, it is limited by no geographical boundaries, and petty 

 restrictions and annoyances on the part of subordinate officials 

 are common in all countries: but the credit for originating a dis- 

 tinct policy of active hostility toward yachting interests must 

 rest with the present government of theLtnited States. 



If yachting io deemed worthy of support and encouragement by 

 a purely maritime people like the British, it needs no long argu- 

 ment toprove that it is still more important to a nation like ours, 

 one that is by no means a maritime one. in spite of thousands of 

 miles of sea coast that is liable to attack, and of the absolute 

 necessity for maintaining a commerce and merchant marine of 

 our own. Unlike Great Britain, Prance and the northern nations 

 of Europe, the United States possesses a vast area, with a large 

 part of Its population, at a distance from the coast and with no 

 sympathy with maritime pursuits; while even near the coasts the 

 bent of the people is mechanical or agricultural rather than 

 toward the sea. 



The vital spirit of both the navy and the commercial marine 

 wMch fire necessary to the prosperity and independence of the 

 nation is not, as many believe, in appropriations and subsidies, 

 but in such a national love of the sea and pride in its navies as 

 has given to the nations of Northwestern Europe theirindependent 

 position. This national feeling, which, though but a sentiment, is 

 the great factor In the establishment and maintenance of a 

 national fleet of war ships and merchantmen, finds in modern 

 times its strongest support in yachting. The days of wooden 

 wells, of great naval wars, and of famous sea fights and victories 

 tiave passed away, and with them has gone much of the national 

 pride which was fostered by the achievements of the infant navy 

 "f the United States. What with deal-, corners, syndicates, rail- 

 roads, pipe lines and telephone patents, Americans are rapidli' 

 forsetting that there is an ocean, save when they rush across it on 

 a hasty vacation on a British ship. 



It is under just such conditions as now prevail that yachting 

 may be made of the greatest possible value, directly by the love 

 of a life afloat which it inculcates in so many by the training of 

 amateurs and professionals (the latter class in large numbers) by 

 the encouragement, to designing, building and kindred branches; 

 and indirectly, but no less eflfectually by the interest in the 

 national success afloat which follows every race of more than 

 local importance. From the days of the America down to Volun- 

 teer and Gloriana the achievements of American yachts have 

 stirred up and stimulated a healthy national pride throughout 

 the length and breadth of the land. 



Considering the aid extended to yachting by consprvative and 

 non-progressive countries, it would hardly be too much to ask for 

 direct aid from a government whose declared policy is the pro- 

 motion and protectif n of national interests; but jachtsmen have 

 never gone so far as that. They ask from the general government 

 neither bounties nor subsidies, nothing but to be let along in the 

 enjoyment of such privileges as are commonly accorded to 

 pleasure vessels as distinguished from trading craft. 



All those familiar with the decay which has taken place in the 

 merchant navy of the United States within the past thirty years, 

 through neglect, bad legislation, or no legislation at all, will under- 

 stand why the laws relating to pleasure vessels are no less anti- 

 quated and obsolete than the rest of the navigation laws; but this 

 much must be said, that while the laws are defective, they have 

 in the m^in been administered In a fair and liberal spirit by the 

 offi''ials of the Treasury Department. 



Wiihin a very short time, however, a new policy has been inau- 

 gurated, directed chiefly against the use of yachts of foreign 

 build, but at the same time endeavoring to hamper and restrict as 

 much as possible the use of any sort of pleasure craft. In accord- 

 ance with this policy, efforts have been made to place all pleasure 

 vessels on the same footing as a tugboat or canal boat, to compel 

 them to take out documents never before considered necessary, to 

 disfigure them wit;h names on the bows, to prohibit them when 

 under a certain limit of size from flying the American yacht 

 ensign, and to moor them so eifectually in the meshes of red tape 

 as to make their use as expensive and difficult as possible. 



In ihe case of yachts of foreign build the measures proposed 

 and partly enforced are utterly prohibitive; If carried oat to the 

 extent that the authorities desire, they must result in driving 

 every foreign-built yacht out of American waters. 



To those familiar with the history of yachting, the value of a 

 nationnl system of yachting and a large and prosperous pleasure 

 marine is no less apparent than is the fact that yachting is a sport 

 that requires every possible encouragement for its growth and 

 prosperity. Involving a very large outlay, giving no returns in 

 money, limited to certain localities, and offering no attractions to 

 the gambling element, it occupies a far different position from 

 horse racing or base ball, and cannot compete with either In the 

 number of its patrons or in general popularity. 



A wise and liberal policy on the part of the Government would 

 at least, so far as home-built craft are concerned, exempt aU 

 pleasure vessels from all dues and taxes, and from such restric- 

 tions in the way of documenting as are not absolutely neceessary 

 for the public safety. In the case of steam in particular, certain 

 rigid laws are essential, but they should be framed to encourge 

 and not to prohibit the use of yachts. A glance at the condition 

 of American yachting in 1880 and again 1890 after ten years of in- 

 ternational competition, at the improvement in every class of 

 yacht from the largest steamers down to canoes, will show how 

 much Americans are indebted to the presence of a few British 

 yachts iniheir waters: and the more closely the subject is studied 

 the more convincing will be the proof that good rather than evil 

 must result from the removal of all restrictions from such craft, 

 and the placing them on the same terms as our home-built vessels . 



At this time, howevei', when the tariff battle is being fought in 

 all other branches, it is not to be expected thtit any special ex- 

 ception to the general policy will be made in favor of yachts. If 

 the theory of protection be true, and the American joiner or ship 

 carpenter Is entitled to such advantage as will protect him from 

 the cheaper workmen of the Clyde and the Thames, the atmoat 

 tl at would be called for would be a moderate duty on foreign- 

 hullt yachts, by no means such a sum as the treasury officials are 

 now trying to extort from the Conqueror, a sum that would be 

 paid with no more reluctance in the case of a yacht than in the 

 ease of a book or a carriage. Even the raoBt extreme application 



