The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-19
TRYING TO GET NEW GUNS.
CHATHAM ARTILLERY DESIRES
MODERN EQUIPMENT.

Col. Lester and senator Clay Making
Efforts to Get the Modern Guns
From the. War Departmental Eff
forts to Get Them From the Appro-
priatiOn Given the state Have
Proven UnnvniIing-Presid Me-
KinIcy should Follow Gen. Wash
ingtons Example and Make the
Company Present.
If there is a command in the country
that is entitled to recognition from the gov
eminent in the way of providing up to
date arms and equipment it is the Chat
ham Artillery. The report came in the
Washington dispatches 10 the Morning
News yesterday that Senator Clay and
Congressman Lester have brought the
matter to the attention of the secretary Of
war and that it IS now under considera-
ton.
The Chatham Artillery has been trying
for some time to get modern equipment
from the state, but the principal reason
why the company has been unsuccessful
is that the tabulated cost Of modern guns
is so great that it would absorb most of
the states appropriation from the federal
government and little if anything would
be left for the remainder of the troops TO
supply the equipment needed during the
year.
Until now the modern guns desired by
the company have been very scarce. But
at the present there is a large number of
them lying in the different government ar
senals and not in use. The company and
its officers felt that a battery of these guns
would be just as safe with it as in these
arsenals, and felt also that it was entitled
to modern equipment. At the same time it
would enable the officers to instruct the
men in handling a modern field battery,
and carry out the advice of the famous
precept. In time of peace prepare for
war"
The matter of securing a modern battery
is important to the company, one of its
prominent officers said yesterday. With
its history and traditions, its past services
and its present esprit du corps, it is en-
titled to the best modern equipment the
government can afford Two of the guns
now in the possession of the company were
presented to 1t by Gen. George Washing
ton, the first President of the United
States. At a time when rumors of war are
rife and the Chatham Artillery is ready
for any work it might be called upon to
do, it is considered quite opportune for
President Mckinley to do as graceful an
act as did Gen Washington, by present
ing the company with a modern battery,
or at least with two pieces.
Capt. George p. Walker who takes the
deepest interest in his command, has had
considerable correspondence about the
matter with Col. Lester and with Senator
Clay, with view to securing the guns, if
1t can be done, without their being charged
against the states appropriation, and they
haYe taken the matter up with the Secre-
tary of War as announced in the dis
patches to the Morning News.
These gentlemen, ii is said, have taken
the matter up, with a fair prospect of
success, and the company and its officers
are now hopeful that the efforts made in
their behalf will result as they desire it.
With modern guns and a knowledge Of
handling them, the Chatham Artillery
would prove a most valuable arm of the
volunteer militia of Georgia. Such guns
could be moved around to any part of the
coast where needed and would undoubt-
edly prove a great protection in case of an
emergency.
The present equipment of the artillery
consists of seven pieces; the two Washing
ton guns, two old Phoenix rifle pieces, a
twelve-pound howitzer a six-pound brass
field piece and the Calling gun. OF these,
the latter is about the only modern inn
pement which the company now has. To
keep up with the times. therefore, and 10
make the command as strong as it should
be, the need for modern battery is APP
parent. 1t is hoped that the efforts of
Senator Clay and Col. Lester will prove
effective, and that since the state has not
seen fit to give up a portion of it's appro-
pration for the purpose, the general gov
eminent will place such guns as are need
ed at the disposal of the company.