The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-01-10
NAVAL RESERVE BILL.
To Be Presented ID the Legis-
Iature This Week--lts
Provisions,

The promoters of the scheme to organize a
battalion of the Naval Reserve IN this city
are jubilant over the manner in which the
project is received. During the past few
weeks the promoters have been greatly en-
couraged by the ews that Governor Werts
favored the organization of a Naval Reserve
and would give the matter all the assistance
he could. Within the next week it is x
pected that those interested will organize. A
meeting will be held at the Hudson County
National Ban and permanent civil officers
will in all probability be chosen.
Commander Miller, of the New York
Naval Reserve, is manifesting much interest
in the organization of the battalion and he
has given the local enthusiasts much valu-
able Information in regard to organization
and other details. Mr.. Miller also furnished
them with a copy of the bill which was pre-
scented to the New York State Legislature
which provided for the organization of the
reserve in that State and which vas success
fully passed. This bill was copied and with
a few slight changes was given to a well
known Hudson County Assemblynan, who
not only promised to present it to the Hegis-
lature but to actively push it.
WILL BE THIS WEEK,
1t is expected that the bill will make its
appearance In the house within the coming
week. Nearly all of the Hudson County As
semblyman nave been asked to support it.
don, has notified the promoters of the scheme
that he and the other As~semblymen of his
county would vote for the bill.
State Railroad Commissioner Colonel John
T. Van Cleef, who is also on the Governors
staff has agreed to urge the Assemblymen
at Trenton to vote for the measure, and
other well known military authorities have
,,,ar,ica1 n 1al,N FIR coIa1aor A
PROVISIONS OF THE
The bill provides for the organization of a
battalion of four divisions. Each division
is to have at least thirty-six members and
not more than eighty. The officers are to
be the same as in the New York Naval Re-
serve, with the exception that there will be
one more Junior grade lieutenant and one
less staff officer.
The organizers of the local division have
not as yet decided upon a suitable man for
commander. tt latest candidate spoken of
is Captain Crossman, who was in command
of the "El Cid' on her recent
trip to Brazil. An intimate friend of
Captain Crossman says that he is quite sure
that the Captain would think ~favorably of
taking command of the division. The Cap
tain is a resident of this city, and would
make an excellent officer. He is expected to
return home in a few days, and as soon as he
can be seen the position will be offered him.
If he accepts it, the remaining officers will
be Immediately appointed OF elected.
THE WORK OF ORGANIZATION.
The work of the organization of the diyi-
sion is being performed in a most thorough
and systematic manner. Architect c. Fred
Long acts as Corresponding Secretary. Mr..
Edward Nee. Peters is at work among the
legislators. He is endeavoring to secure
favorable legislation. Mr.. Peters left for
Trenton this morning, and will visit all the
Assemblymen and Senators there.
The work of securing new members and
attending to the many details is done by
Mr.. George NJ. Christian.
Last week Mr.. Long received an invita-
ton from Commander Miller, of New York,
to visit his division IN January % and re-
ceive much needed and valuable points"
The invitation was accepted, and on the day
in question the organizers of the Jersey City
Division will go there in a body.
Enough men ave already agreed to join
the division to fill the roll, but the greatest
care is being exercised in the selection of
members. s'Our intention said Mr.. Long
to a reporter of THE JERSEY CITY News
yesterday, lis to give the division a position
sociallythat willwinf for it the respect andgood
wishes of our residents. The applications for
membership lave been SO numerous that we
could have organized two divisions, but we
believe that one good man is better than ten
bad men, and for this reason many have
been rejected