The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-25
VULNERABLE COAST LINE.
Judge Cooney Points Out the Need
of Large Appropriations
for DefSnSeS.

Judge NJ. Cooney was seen by a reporter
at his Office in the Phelan building few
days ago and asked to give his views on
the state of our defenses in the event OF
war with great naval power.
al have been so actively engaged in my
law practice for many years" began the
Judge, ''that | have not been able to de-
vote so much time to State and National
affairs as others, and really have some
diffidence about talking for publication on
so grave subject. l am convinced, how
ever, that our entire coast line is in a de-
fenseless condition.
ga nation of the magnitude of the United
States, with a large number of seaport
cities, should always be ready for the ex-
igencies of war, because it is impossible to
determine in advance the contingencies
arising from international differences. a
few months ago the Venezuelan matter
seemed trivial; within week it has
famed into a most serious aspect. be-
lieve in the Monroe doctrine. which should
be maintained at all hazards, and in abso-
lutte protection against foreign interior
ence in affairs on this continent, as en-
bodied in President Cleveland's message.
The Venezuelan case illustrates the ne
cessity of defensive measures. and l also
think that the PresI dent and his Cabinet
must certainly know that our navy should
be largely increased and strengthened be-
fore entering into war that would natur-
ally be confined to the sea coast.
II am afraid pursued the Judge. "that
the different Congresses depended too
much on sentiment, and that the work of
fortifying our sea coast has been neglected.
California certainly has not had the
proper attention in that respect. and while
some improvement is now being made we
decidedly need more at the. hands of the
Government. at least 100000, 900 or $40,-
600 900 should be spent upon Notifications
and public works on this coast. The
sooner our legislators realize these facts
the better for the country"
The fact that the Judge has been a resi-
dent of this City for the last 81 years, and
has been an active spirit in every measure
to promote our prosperity, gives weight to
his opinions on State and national ques-
lions. He is thoroughly American, and
like many of our best types has worked
his way unaided from workman, teacher,
student, to an honored place in the legal
profession. HE'S so devoted to his work
that he has resisted every entreatv 10 &C
cept office, and refused nominations.
While his practice is general, he has had
charge of large estates and has had i'm
portapt cases from other States and
foreign countries. Judge Cooney is a
prominent figure in political and fraternal
work. His wonderful aptitude for bust
ness is shown by the fact that he has pre-
sided over nearly all of the organizations
with which he has been connected without
interfering in the least with his'large law
practice. No matter how much outside
work he has, he is always found in his
office during Office hours. The hardest
natriotic and fraternal work is but diver
sion to him. The Judges ear is ever open
to the voice of distress, and in charitable
work he and his family never "let the
left hand know what the right hand
doeth -