The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-23
OEFENSES ARE DEMANDED.
THE TAMPA CONVENTION POINTS
OUT THEIR NECESSITY.

gested-The Convention 10 Perpet-
uate Itself as n National Organiza-
tiOn-COmmittees AppOinted-The
Tampa Meeting AdjOurns.
Tampa, Fla, Jan. 22.-The coast defense
and harbor Improvement convention held
its closing session to-day and adopted res
olutions setting forth the objects the dele
gates wish to accomplish. The proceed
ings began with ex-Gov. Mitchell of Flor
| ida in the chair, in the absence of Gen.
John M. Schofield, who had gone to inspect
the new harbor at Miami on the Eastern
coast of Florida.
! Gov. Mitchell called Gen. f. A. McAlpin
of New York to preside over the delibera-
tions of the body.
Upon taking the chair, Gen. McAlpin
read splendid paper upon the Importance
| of completing as rapidly as possible the
coast defense project that at present Is
under way. At the conclusion of his ad-
dress the committee on resolutions sub
mitted its report, as follows:
| /. Resolved, That this convention will
entertain no resolution or other matter
offered for its consideration not germane
to the national defense.
| ?. Resolved that this convention shall
not submit any suggestion to the Uni
| ted States government looking to-
wards the appropriation of any specific
| sum of money for national defense, leav-
| ing the matter entirely to the recommen-
| dation of the proper authorities, and,
| Whereas, there is now before the con-
| gress of the United States measure of
| great Importance to the general welfare
| of the country and of pressing necessity
for the improvement of our harbors,
known as the army organization bill,'
| and,
Whereas, the increase by two regiments
of the artillery branch Of the army as
| therein provided will be in the line of
economic administration by providing the
| government with a trained force of work
men at a minimum cost, to preserve and
| care for the costly sea coast defenses, ma
! chinery and armament, while, at the same
time securing the services of disciplined
soldiers in time of war, and
| Whereas, the formation of a regiment
| of artillery, as now required by law into
single battalion of detail to each state
! having a naval reserve, a war vessel or
| torpedo boat or both, for the instruc ton
| of the naval reserve at such seasons of
the year as may be decided upon as best
| for the interests of the service, and it is
Resolved, That to provide for coast de-
fense, it is imperative that the strength
of the navy of the United States shall be
steadily Increased by the yearly addition
| of lighting ships and torpedo boats, until
the force is adequate to meet the emer-
| gencies OF a state of war, and.
whereas, this convention appreciates its
inability to determine the important ques-
tion of coast defense from technical
| standpoint, 1t is,
Resolved, That 1t does appreciate the
| necessity n m 10 tn I
seaboard of our country. and Importance
of defending all points liable to invasion
| by hostile forces. And therefore, 1t is
further
Resolved, That this convention does
most earnestly urge upon our representa-
tives in congress the necessity for imme-
diate appropriation sufficient to carry out
the plan formulated by the war depart.
ment; and further urge that this appro-
priaton be made available at once, to the
end that the plans of the department may
be completed without delay
| Pending action on the report II. c. Nc
Farlane, on behalf of the Tampa Board
of Trade. expressed delight and surprise
| at the great Importance and magnitude
the convention had assumed. He outlined
the part played by Tampa, in bringing
about this great convention, and paid a
| glowing tribute to H. b. Plant, which
was enthusiastically received.
Col ]. A. Frye of Massachusetts, Sec
retary of the convention, delivered a
stirring address upon national coast de-
| fenses and harbor improvements.
The resolutions were then adopted as a
whole, without debate.
The committee on resolutions reported
further, recommending the organization
of a national defense association, and that
the following constitute the officers of the
permanent association for the first year
President, Gen. Horace Porter of New
York; secretary, Col. j. A. Frye of Massa-
chusetts; vice president, Gen. J.
b. Gordon of Georgia. second
vice president, Gen. Lew Wal.
lace of Indiana; third vice president
Hon. A. X. Mcclure of Philadelphia
fourth vice president, Gen. r. A. Alger OF
Michigan; fifth vice president NJ. H. de
Young OF California; sixth vice president
Gen. William Miller of Florida: seventh
vice president, John c. Popes of Massa-
chusetts.
National committee:
Alabama-A. A. Wiley.
Florida-J. Il. O'Brien.
Georgia-S. G. McLendon.
Indiana--T. NJ. DeFreese,
| Iuinois-O. s. Witherall
Kentucky-W. b. Haldeman.
Louisiana--J. w. Dupree.
| Minnesota--E. G. Babb
New York; 4. McAlpin.
North Carolna-C. Dewey.
North Dakota-S. +. Stebbns
Pennsylvania--Wi William r. Thompson.
South Carolina-J. c. Hemphil.
Vermont-Henry Wells
The legislative committee Of each state
. is as follows:
Aiabama-I w. Burke, w. f. WALES,
W. w. Screws.
Florida-T. c. Taliaferro, w. r. Rawls,
w. IL. Knowles.
Georgia.. n. Estill, r. W. Grubb.
South Carolina-William Elliott, w. ID.
Morgan. james II. Murdock.
Kentucky Henry Watterson. Sterling
Il. Toney, John w. Yerkes.
Iowa--A. Holland, j. $. Patten, Sam At
| ley
| fer. O. J.. Cutler.
| Nassachusetts-Gen Curtis Gill, Jr..
| George A. Jones, Thomas Talbot.
Louislana--Alen Jumel David #. Boyd.
| @. j. McClelland.
Vermont-Edward Wells. Il. s. Peck.
ohio-George w Gardner, d. X Wat
son. ]. b. Foraker Jr.
Pennsylvanla-Alex X. Mcclure, En.
GENE O'Neil, Kaufman.
|