The morning times., 1897-01-23
THE DEFENSE OF OUR COAST
Resolutions Adopted by the Con-
yention at Tampa.
CONGRESS- URGED TO ACTION
An Increase in the Annual Appro-.
priation for State Militia Recon-
mended-The Lamont Bill for
Army Reorganization Indorsed.
A National Defense Association.

Tampa, Fla, Jan. 22-The Coast and
Harbor Defense and Improvement Conven.
tion was called to order at i O'Clock by
ex-Gov Mitchell, OF Florida, first vice
president, in the absence Of Gen. Scho-
field, who had been called away. The
session was presided over by Gen. e. A.
McAlpin OF New York, who read an inter
esting paper upon the progress being made
in the way of coast defense and the i'm
portance of pushing the work to an early
completion.
The committee on resolutions submitted
its report, through its chairman, and the
same was adopted without debate. The
resolutions adopted provide that tie con-
vention shall not submit any suggest tons to
the United States Government, looking
toward the appropriation OF any specific
sum OF money for the national defense,
leaving the matter entirely TO the recon-
mcndation OF the proper authority. The
Army reorganization, or Lamont BILL"
is fully indorsed, and an early considera-
tion OF the same by Congress is urged
and its passage recommended.
An increase in the annual appropriation
for the State militia of the United States
and the distribution Of the Springfield
rifles turned in by the United states
Army among the militia or National
Guard of the various States is recon-
mended The attention of the legislatures
of the sea coast States, wherein are
located works of the United States, is
called TO the necessity of adding to the
existing forces of militia or National
Guard OF each states such batteries, bat
talions, or regiments, of foot artillery, as
may serve as reserve, ready for instant
reinforcement of the regular artillery of
the United States.
Assistance S recommended by the ma
tional government in the dcvelopement
OF the National Guard reserve of coast
artillery The naval reserve is recognized
in the matter of the national defense as
second to the military arm of the militia,
anditis recommended that the coast States
and those on the Great Lakes be urged
and encouraged to foster this arm of our
volunteer defense. Congress is urged TO
enact such legislation as Will give proper
aid to the naval reserves of our country.
The yearly addition OF fighting ships and
torpedo boats TO the strength of the Navy
is recommended.
The atte ntion OF Congress is called to
the necessity of immediate protection To
the Seaboard OF the country, and members
OF both houses are urged to do all i'll their
power TO secure an appropriation sufficient
to carry out the plans formulated by the
War Department, to the end that the same
be made available at once and the work
completed without delay. 1t was deci,f-
Ell to organize National Defense Associa-
ton; the officers TO be appointed are
three vice presidents and national COM
mittee of three from each State and a
legislative committee of three from each
state. The first president is to be Gen.
Horace Porter of New York.
resolution was also adopted to hold
the next meeting at Washington, D. c.