The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-04
TO AID THE NAVAL REsER,r.
Secretary MeAdoo's Interest in the
savannah Company.

DR.. II. 3 Colding. lieutenant commander
OF the Savannah naval reserve. has re-
turned to the city from Baltimore. where
he attended the convention OF the ON
GERS Of the naval militia last week. He
reports that the convention had most
pleasant and agreeable session. Assist
ant Secretary AIcAdoo and Lieut. Niblack
of the navy department were present and
demonstrated that they thoroughly ap-
preciated the importance Of this branch OF
the service An instructive address was
made by Secretary McAdoo.
Commander I. +. Emerson Of the Balti-
more battalion made things very pleas
ant for the visiting officers. Thursday
night he entertained them at his house,
the mayor, the ad1utant general or the
state, ana other prominent officials being
present. Friday afternoon Commander
Emerson took the whole party down the
bay to Annapolis I'm his steam yacht
Al Annapolis the party was welcomed
and taken in charge by the officers Of the
naval academy. A special drill was given
by the cadets, in honor or the visitors, IL
lustraung some new maneuvers, not put
down in the tactics.
The question Of special interest discuss
ed 10y the convention was the status and
purpose of the naval militia. The decls-
ion Of the meeting was that IL is intended
that the naval militia IL intended for the
defense OF the seaports and adjoining sea
coast and waters Of the ports at which
tney are respectively located and that IL
is not intended for service on the govern
ment cruisers and war vessels. This be-
ing the case. the idea that long cruises are
necessary for the instruction Of the mem
bers Of the naval reserve no longer holds
good. II is intended, however, that the
naval reserve shah he instructed IN the
service which might be required on board
war vessels i'm emergency, and for this pur-
pose bill Is now before congress author
lZing the Secretary of the Navy TO station
the old war vessels, which are now being
HnHH az ng az
at the various ports where there are naval
organizations. The bin specifies that these
vessels shall be partly manned 10y the gov
eminent, the rest OF the complement 10
Dee completed by the naval reserves This
would afford constant practice to the
naval reserves i'm the duties required Of
them, and the vessels would serve in some
sort as "a protection to the ports at which
they were stationed.
Commander Colding said that he was
very pleasantly treated by Assistant Sec
rotary McAdoO. The latter told him that
the Lee Rifles with which the reserves
are to be furnished are not yet ready for
distribution. but he offered to loan the
company as many RemingtOna rifles as IL
might need until the Lee rifles can be had.
This offer viii be accepted. The assistant
secretary also offered to furnish "A whale
noat for the use of the Savannah reserve
on the waters around the city. He advised
Commander Coiding not to apply for a
monitor to be stationed here yet for the
use of the reserve, as the expense Incl
dent to fitting up the vessel for that ser
vice might prove a damper to the young
command. Secretary McAdoo expressed
the hope that a battalion of the naval re-
serve would be organized at Savannah.
The convention adopted the regulation
United States sailors uniform for the ma
val militia. IL was decided that the officers
should place the coats Of arms Of their re-
spective states on the collars of their un-
iforms In addition to the insignia of their
rank in order TO distinguish them from the
regular officers of the navy, the insignia
being the same. Commander Emerson of
Baltimore was elected president Of the as
ISOLATION for the ensuing year.