The Portland daily press., 1898-05-07
WILL Man MONITOR.
Portland Naval Reserves Will Be
Recognized.
SENATOR HALE so TELEGRAPHED
GOV. CLEAVES YESTERDAY.

Portland People Will Be Delighted to
Hear the News-The Men of the Naval
Mil tia Are Enthusiastic and Anxious
for Service.
1t would seem that the young men who
have organized two divisions of naval
| militia are at last to be recognized by
the government. The state authorities
did not seem disposed to do much for
them and contemplated manning the
monitor Montauk with soldiers from the
Second Regiment.
| But the Portland naval reserves paid
| no attention to the slaps they were get
| ting on all sides for they knew that the
citizens of Portland would stand firmly
behind them and were disposed to do
everything in their power to help them.
| The drills were continued and have been
| well attended and the progress which
has been made IS wonderful considering
the short time the companies have been
at work. They knew that something
would come their way after awhile and
thanks to Senator Hale's efforts and the
influence of ex-Gov. Henry B. Cleaves
and others, the long looked for recognit-
| ion has come.
A few days ago. Gov. Cleaves, who has
been firm friend of this naval militia
movement from the start, and who has
done all that he could do to help the plan
along both by encouraging words and
advice, wrote to Senator Hale and ex-
planned to him what the Portland orga-
nization desired. He stated that as the
| plan now was the monitor would be
| manned by soldiers from the Second
| Regiment and the governor thought that
the Portland young men should be at
least recognized.
Senator Hale, the moment he received
Gov. Cleayes's letter, went to the navy
department. and saw Secretary Long. He
did not delay, but acted at once because
Senator Hale has been interested in this
move too and he is always ready and
willing to do all he can for Portland. AS
a result of Senator Hale's interview with
the secretary of the navy, Gov. Cleaves
received the following telegram yesterday
afternoon.
Washington, D. c., May 6, 1898.
To Hon. II. B. Cleaves:
= Have just left navy department.. Mont
tor will be turned over to your Portland
organization. Line officers will be sent
to instruct at first. Eugene Hale.
This will be gratifying news not only
to the young men who have worked SO
hard to make this naval militia possible,
but to the citizens Of Portland as well.
The Portland Board of Trade. the city
government and many of Portlands most
prominent merchants have pledged them
selves to do all they could to make the
affair a success and have endorsed the
naval militia very strongly.
: Last night drill of the Second Divis-
ion of the Naval Militia was held and
the Telegram, of Senator Hale to Gov.
Cleaves was read to the nan composing
the division. The armory rang with cheers
for Senator Hale, GOV. Cleaves, Secretary
Long and many citizens who have stood
behind this movement Every man in
the second division pledged himself to
enlist into the volunteer navy for one
year and work like tigers to show their
appreciation of what has been done for
them. Fifteen young mon who are fish
ermen by occupation, have joined the di-
vision and both the first and second d.
vision are receiving practical seamen
every day now.
The Second Division passed formal
vote Of thanks last night to Senator Hale
and ex-Gev. Cleaves, and testified to their
willingness to man the monitor, and if
the occasion should arise, do their best
in the defense of the city.