The morning news., 1897-08-19
WILL HAVE. TO ASK FOR 1T.
sxVANNAH's NAVAL RESERVES CAN
NOT STAND ON CEREMONY.

Fear of Offending bruhsNlch'
Georgia Not Likely 10 Get Two
VesSeIS-The Idea Of the Navy 20
stimulate the Growth of the Naval
Reserve-The Government Not
Sending out War Vessels to he
Used nS Private CIubs-SOmethinS
About the Famous Old Passnic.
Washington, Aug 1S.-Up to date no
action has been taken by the Secretary of
the Navy upon the report Of Commander
Todd of the Wilmington, recommending
the transfer of the Monitor, Passaic,
from Brunswick TO savannah. for the use
of the naval militia. The report Of Com
mander Todd is stin I'm the hands OF the
secretary. and it remains to De seen what
disposition he will make of the sugges-
tions contained i'm the findings Of the
board It is not probable that the sec
rotary will allow the Georgia militia two
vessels, FOR training purposes because
there are no other ships available.
There is a disposition, on the part of
the navy department to do everything
within reason. to stimulate and encourage
the growth Of the naval reserve force in
all the states. and Acting Secretary
Roosevelt would be highly gratihed il the
South Atlantic states would show a lit
tie more interest. and enthusiasm in the
subject. The officers of the navy select
ed to examine and report on the strength
and efficiency of the naval reserves in
all the states, We're specially instructed to
serve up the bitter with the sweets, i'm
making their observations. When the
reports came in Mr. Roosevelt decided
that they could only be given out with the
understanding that the facts contained
should be plainly and fearlessly stated. 1t
is unfortunate that the report of Com
mander Todd and his associates reflected
so harshly upon the Brunswick division
but the Brunswick reserves may profit by
the severe criticism passed upon them
by the officers of the Wilmington.
II Savannah desires to improve her
standing in the ranks of the naval reserve
she must not allow sentiment or fraternal
considerations to enter into the subject A
board of impartial naval officers has re-
ported to the Secretary of the Navy that
the Savannah division is superior to that
of Brunswick, and recommends the trans
fer of the Passaic from Brunswick to Sa-
vannah, because they believe the naval re-
serve force at Savannah win better APP
preciate the use of a training ship. The
transfer VIII only De maze upon dDDIlGd-
tion of the Savannah Reserves. If they
want the ship they will have to apply for
ii in the regular way, and il will not do for
them to hold back through fear of offend
ing the Brunswick Reserves The Bruins
wick people were given an opportunity to
show their appreciation of tTaining-ship
facilities and they failed to take advantage
of IT, On the other hand, the Savannah Re
serves. with fewer advantages than their
Brunswick neighbors, displayed superior
efficiency and discipline at the annual in
spection. hence the board recognized that
fact in its report.
The Passaic is one of the most famous
vessels of the monitor class. She was one
of the gamest fighters, and saw as hard
service as any ship of her class. Her water
line and the plates in her turret are heavily
scared as the result of her frequent en-
gagements. For a number of years she was
on duty at the Washington navy yard as
receiving ship, and she attracted
great attention because of her wonderful
war record. In competent hands she can
be made an attractive feature in the Sa-
Vannah river. A liberal supply of clack
or white paint, and some good hard rub
bing of the brass work would brighten
her exterior. and this, in conjunction with
a few improvements below the main deck
would give the Savannah Reserves a home
they might well be proud Of
While she was the receiving ship or re-
cruiting rendezvous in Washington, she
was admirably cared for and kept in per
feet condition. Her decks were holyston-
ed every morning, her paint and bright
work glistened in the sunlight and her
guns and general equipment received the
closest attention of the crew. The cap
tain's cabin, the ward-room and the berth
deck We're always open TO inspection, and
distinguished visitors to the navy yard
were never permitted to depart without
inspecting the old Passaic
Her after deck was the scene OF many
social festivities during her stay in Wash
tngton. The captain of trim looking
ship is generally happy when he can have
q distinguished party on board as his
guests. On the deck of the Passaic the
President of the United States, with his
wife, members of his cabinet and other
distinguished men and women have as
sembled on various occasions as the guests
of the officer then I'm command
1t is hardly reasonable to expect a di-
vision of state naval militia 70 compete
with a trained crew of officers and men
from the regular naval service, but il is
possible that an energetic division OF the
reserves could derive some valuable eX-
perience on board the Passaic. ut is be-
leved that the presence OF a training ship
al savannah would arouse greater inter
est in the naval militia branch Of the SER
vice, and " the grawth of the reserves
warranted IL. Col. Lester. backed by SEN
ators Bacon and Clay might induce the
Secretary of the Navy 60 detail one Of
the old sailing ships 90 replace The Pas
sale. Maryland. New Jersey New York
end Massachusetts. and several other
states have built up such strong re-
serve force that the government has pro-
vided them with fun rugged ships, so that
the reserves are enabled 20 acquire
knowledge Of scamanship generally.
The government Is not doing everything
in its power 20 encourage ana build up the
naval militia just for thc fun OF the thing
or 10 enable set of men TO maintain a
pleasure club on board OF government
ships The intention IS 10 stimulate in-
terest in the navy and 90 famillarlzc men
in the art OF handling ships OF war i'm
case OF an emergency. n the naval
spirit is fully aroused the great engines
of war Of thc United states navy viii
soon Doe manned by loyal American citi-
zcns. II is "a matter OF comment
that many OF our finest war
ehips are manned by majority of
aliens. Go aboard any 90 tho ships of the
white squadron on some state occasion.
when the regulations require general mus
Ter Of the shin's crew. Listen to The name
read out by tho division officers and note