The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-29
EFFORTS FOR TROOPS BEGUN.
Continued from Eighth Page.)

80 of the board evidently thought the
<a,o5unt was for the expenses of the com
mice and was, therefore, too large, but
v-ren advised of its purpose they thought
,-s appropriation would be none too
~ h.
s.cause several were not sure a commit
t coIld accomplish more than ordinary
c.rrespondence since the officials at Wash
i-ston are greatly taxed at this time. Al
amman owens moved that the committee
+, be appointed under the resolution OF
alderman Guckenheimer do not make the
frn to Washington until after consulta-
mon with Col. Lester, and not then I'M
la-s he advises it.
In discussing the original resolution Al
d,rman Charlton said he was not prepar-
Cd TO vote for bringing troops 70 Savannah
lust now. To place them some distance
from the city, but where the business in
rarests would profit from them, he
thought, would be better than getting such
large bodies of men too near. He did not
deem it safe. Tampa, he said is thinking
OF martial law. The police force. would
have to be increased to 500 men, he said,
when in recently making up the budget
Council could not see its way TO add three
men to the force. During war times he
saw something of tie way drilled troops
much less raw recruits, deported them
selves and for that reason he was not will
ing to vote for the resolution. He would
not antagonize, however, what majority
thought to be the interest of the city. He
voted for the appropriation but not for
the original resolution. With this excep-
ton the original resolution to send com
mittee to Washington, the amendment that
the committee should only go on advice of
Col Lester. and that 1000 be appropriated
TO carry out the resolution, passed by
unanimously.
Mayor Meldrim wired Col. Lester as soon
as Council adjourned. Committee APP
pointed to aid in having the troops located
here. Appropriation made to secure land
and water supply. Can committee help
you by coming to Washington? Strong
memorial will be sent you. Answer"
It is not expected reply will be receiv.
ed until some time to-day. The committee
will at once be named if the reply sug-
geSts It,
The directors of the Board of Trade met
yesterday afternoon and adopted the fol-
lowing resolution which will be sent to
Congressman Lester Tomorrow
The Honorable Secretary of War Wash
ington, d. c.: Sir-The Savannah Board of
Trade representing the general mercantile
and commercial interests of the city, de-
sire to supplement the action of the mu-
nicipal authorities of Savannah, in urging
upon your attention the many advantages
possessed by Savannah as a point of rem
devious for troops being modified for
service and awaiting orders
0GaiIIIullGSS,
ranks among the first cities in the union.
The country adjacent to Savannah is
thoroughly drained, and broad, level areas
for the encampment of 1900 to 100000
troops can be secured without expense.
These areas can be reached from the
city by splendid hardened surface roads
and can be supplied with the purest of
artesian water, which the municipal au-
thorities have promised shall be done with
out expense to the war department.
Savannah is only four hours more dis
tant by rail, from Tampa, Fla, than
Jacksonville and can be made three hours,
with perfect safety in the movement of
troops.
Savannah is the headquarters of the
Plant System of railways and a large de-
pot of the Florida Central and Peninsular
Railroad, assuring the most ample facili
ties for the rapid movement of troops to
Tampa and other points.
Savannah is connected with the West
by four "a large systems of railways, and
with the North and East by two large
railway systems, besides the finest lines of
American coasting steamers, making al
most daily connections with Baltimore and
New York direct, and as frequent with
Philadelphia and Boston, indirectly, con-
Meeting with the numerous railway sys-
tens radiating from these commercial
oenters, assuring not only lowest freight
rates to Savannah, but also quick delivery,
with ample, safe and convenient storage
for supplies that may be concentrated here
and for their economical redistribution
when necessary.
Savannah herself, is a large wholesale
market, notably the largest wholesale gro
Gerry market in this section of the South,
and her merchants carry very heavy
stocks at all times.
Savannah is the great military center
of the entire South. For her population
q 10
est military organizations in the whole
union.
Under the recent call of the President
OF the United States for troops, Savannah
contributed two fun battalions of infan-
try and one company of artillery, together
over 700 men, one-third of Georgia's full
quota under the call principally drawn
from her citizen soldiery, while her pro-
portion, according to population, was
only co.
Whenever in the future the necessities
of the government should demand ii for
the public safety, Savannah win be founo
ready to eclipse this splendid record.
Where in the entire section available for
troop concentrations under existing cir
cumstances, can so many favorable and
favOring conditions be found to guide the
war department in selecting places of rem
devious, possessing the Indispensable pre-
requisites of healthful environment and
the capabilities for rapid distribution,
whether by rail to the West Indies, Wis
Tampa, or direct by water, as our har-
Dor is accessible to transports of the larg-
est draft, the channel from the ocean to
the city being 26>feet?
The Savannah Board of Trade, therefore,
asks that Savannah be designated as
point for the concentration of troops ana
army supplies. and feel fully warranted
IN saying that the municipal authorities,
backed by every citizen, will do their ut
most TO aid the government in every pos
siDle manner, to secure~the healthfulness
OF the encampment and assist in enforcing
discipline
Trusting that this matter may have
favorable consideration, your petitioners
beg 10 subscribe themselves very truly
and respectfully yours,
d. G. Purse, President,
James M. Dixon, Vice President,
Savannah Board of Trade.
About 200 signatures of business men
We're attached to the memorial last night
pledging their cooperation with the NUM-
cipal authorities and the Board of Trade
IN extending all the assistance in their
power to the war department to make
II desirable and advantageous m desig-