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

The promoters of the scheme Co organize q
battalion of the Naval Reserve IN this city
are iubilant over the manner in which the
project is received. During the past few
weeks the promoters have been greatly en-
couraged by the news 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 ex,
pected that those interested will organize. A
meeting viii be held at the Hudson County
National Bank 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 n he
has given the local enthusiasts much yalu,
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 was success
fully passed. This bill was copied and with
a few slight changes was given to a well
known Hudson County Assemblyman, who
not only promised to present it to the Legis-
lature but to actively push it.
WILL BE PRESENTED 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 have been asked to support it.
~Assemblyman Carter Anlpaugh of Hunter
don, has notified the promoters of the scheme
that he and the other Assemblymen 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 A~ssemblymen
at Trenton to vote for the measure, and
other well known military authorities have
promised to help the scheme.
PROVISIONS Of THE BILL.
The bill provides for the organization of a
battalion of our divisions. Each division
is to have at least thirty-six members and
not more thar 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 nave
not as yet decided upon a suitable man for
commander. The latest candidate spoken OF
is Captain Crossman, who was in command
of the lei Cidn 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 viii
be Immediately appointed or elected.
THE WORK OF ORGANIZATION
The work of the organization of the divi.
sion is being performed in a most thorough
and systematic manner Architect C. Fred
Long acts. as Corresponding Secretary. Mr..
Edward Nice. Peters is at work among the
legislators. He is e~ndeavoring to secure
favorable legislation. Mr.. Peters left fol
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 M. Christian.
Last week Mr.. Long received al invita-
ton from Commander Miller, of New York
to visit his division on January % and re
| ceive much needed and valuable spoints.'
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 lave already agreed to join
the division to fill the roll, but the greatest
| care is being exercised in the selection Of
members. sour intention" said Mr.. Long
| to a reporter of THE JERSEY Cry News
Yesterday, lis to give the division a position
| sociallythat willwinfor it the respect andgoot
wishes Of our residents. The applications fol
| membership Ave been so numerous that W.
| could nave organized two divisions, but w
| believe that one good man is better than tel
| bad men, and for this reason many hav'
| been rejected"