The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-24
PROTECT THE COAST CITIES.
BOARD OF TRADE AND CITY COUN-
GIL FOR HARBOR DEFENsEs.

Memorials Adopted by Both Bodies
Urging Congress to Pass the Coast
Defense BiII-The Importance of
Notifications to Protect the sa-
vannah HarbOr.
The board of trade and the city council
adopted resolutions yesterday urging upon
congress the passage of the coast defense
bill introduced by Senator Squire
A meeting of the board of trade was held
in the morning. President Purse pre-
sided. The resolutions We're introduced
by MI. J. A. G; Carson and were unani-
mously adopted.
A committee, consisting of President
Purse, Mr.. Carson and Mr.. I. NJ. Frank
and forward copy to each of the con-
greSSmen and senator's from this state,
and also to Secretary of War Lamont
and Senator Squire. The resolutions are
Whereas, The United States, by the
expenditure of public funds, has improved
this harbor so that not only merchant
vessels of great draft and carrying ca
pacity, but also men-of-war carrying
modern high-power guns, may safely en-
ter; and,
Whereas, Nothing has been done for
the protection of this important city and
harbor; and
Whereas. 1t is not only desirable. but
necessary, that such protection may be
afforded without at the same time clos
ing the harbor to our commerce; there
fore, be 1t
Trade, in special meeting convened, That
our senators and representatives in con-
gress be requested aud urged to take
such steps as may be necessary for the
immediate protection, not only of this,
but of all of our principal seacOast cities,
and for quick, equitable and practical
BILE means of accomplishing this impor-
tant end, the Savannah Board of Trade
does most heartily and earnestly recon-
mend the enactment of the bill introduced
by Senator Squire on Dec. 4, 1895, pro
viding for Notifications and other seacoast
defenses," and ask for the measure the
support of our senator's and representa-
tives.
Resolved further, That copies of these
resolutions, over the signature of the
president and secretary, be Immediately
transmitted to our senators and represent
atives, Hon. Daniel Lamont, Secretary or
War, and Senator Squire.
The city council took action last night
on the subject of coast defenses and in
dorsed the bill introduced in congress by
Senator Squire of Washington for that
purpose. Mayor Myers brought the mat
ter to the attention of council and stated
that he thought immediate action on the
matter was advisable.
Col. Garrard then introduced the fol-
lowing set of resolutions, prefacing them
with a few remarks. He said that the sub
ject is of the greatest Importance to Sa-
vannah. The deepening OF the channel of
the river by the government, he said, for
purpose
of the port also made it possible for war
ships to enter the river and hold the city
at their mercy. After the amount of
money which has been spent to obtain a
greater depth of the channel, he said, the
course of blocking the channel to keep
out hostile warshipS was not to be thought
Of when other means of defense could be
provided.
Col. Garrard said that he knew that the
army engineers had made ample recon-
mendations for the defense of the port
and he was assured that they were anx-
ious to undertake this work as soon as
the means could be secured. A fort of
the dimensions proposed, Col. Garrard
said, would not only be a means of de-
Tense to the port, but would add greatly
to the dignity of the city and would prove
of advantage in many ways. The resolu-
ton was unanimously adopted. 1t reads
as follows:
Whereas, The United States. by the
expenditure of public funds, has improved
this harbor so that not only merchant
vessels of great draft and carrying ca
pacity, but also men-of-war carrying
modern high-power guns, may safely en-
ter; and,
Whereas, Nothing has been done for
the protection of this important city and
harbor; and,
Whereas, 1t is not only desirable, but
necessary, that such protection may be
afforded without at the same time clos
ing the harbor to our commerce.
Therefore, be 1t resolved. That our SEN
ators and representatives in congress are
requested to take such steps as may be
necessary for the immediate protection
not only of this, but of all of our principal
daily recommend the bill introduced in
the United States Senate Is. 334, 54th con-
gress, LIST SESSION. by Mr.. Squire, on Dec.
4, 1895.