The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-26
GEN. ALGER AND PARTY HERE.
ARRIVED THIS MORNING AFTER A
DAY IN JACKSONVILLE.

VIII BE Met ut the Special Car This
Morning by a COmmittee-MOrnin
VIII BE Spent in an Inspection of
the Port and Savannah's Shipping
FaciIitieS-saIute VIII BE Fired by
the Cutter notwithstanding and
His Party VIII Leave This After
noon for Charleston.
Secretary of War Alge~ and party
reached Savannah at o'clock this morn
ing by the Florida Central and Peninsuiar
Railroad. A special car brought the dis
tngusshed party up from Jacksonville,
where yesterday was spent in the inspec-
ton of the camps and hospitals and a
review of the troops.
Gen. Alger and the officers and his
party of six viii spend to-day in Savannah,
leaving this afternoon for Charleston.
They will be met this morning at their
car by a committee of Savannahians, who
will take them to the De Soto for break
fast. The committee is composed of Vice
President John NJ Egan of the Central
Railroad, Capt. D. G. Purse, commissioner
of the Freight Bureau; Capt. c. e. Gil
lette of the United States engineering
corps, and Aldermen Owens Thomas and
Guckenheimer. representing the City
Council.
The programme for the day has not been
arranged. 1t is not known just in what
order the war department party win see
what is here that demands its inspection,
but visits win be paid to the wharvee and
possibly a drive viii be taken to the pro-
posed camp site at Avondale.
The revenue cutter Boutwell, is in port,
and the party will use her in a trip on the
river 1t is the purpose of the secretary
to familiarlze himself with the facilities
afforded by Savannah as a place of embar-
kation Of an army of occupation for Cuba.
A good harbor must be evident to the
secretary, and he must find good terminal
facilities. Charges for supplies must be
reasonable, and, in short If Savannah is
to be chosen by the department., she must
eurpass other places that have been or
will be Inspected, not only in shipping
facilities. but also in moderate prices for
what supplies may be needed. The cost
of pIlotage is also an important considera-
ton.
The Boutwell, has been in port for two
or three days awaiting the arrival of the
secretary. When he appears to-day ga
lutte of seventeen guns, that accorded a
secretary of one of the departments, will
be fired. Flags on the craft in the river
will also probably be flown in honor of
the secretary and whistles win Shrek
their welcome.
The visit of the secretary may mean
great deal for Savannah. His personal in
vestigation of the conditions existing here
may result in troops being camped at the
Avondale site, in the establishment of an
army hospital here, and in the choice of
Savannah. not only as a place of embark
alton of the army, but of Its being made
the base Of supplies in this country for the
armies in Cuba and Porto Rico. 1t is pro-
posed by the government TO establish a
lire of transports that will make frequent
sailngs from about Nov. until next sum-
mer. Such line would mean a vast deal
Of business for Savannah, and a great
quantity of supplies of all sorts would be
purchased here.
Capt D. G. Purse was busy all of yes
terday in making arrangements for the
reception of Gen. Alger and his party,
among whom are the following gentlemen:
Gen. George NJ. Sternberg, surgeon gen.
eral OF the army; Gen. NJ. L. Ludington,
quartermaster general; Col. Frank J.
Hecker, chief of the division of trans
portation of the quartermaster's depart
ment; Mai. George H. Hopkins, military
aide to Gen. Alger; and Mr.. Fred c.
Squires, Gen. Ayers secretary. Capt
Purse wired the secretary at Jacksonville
that the committee would meet him at the
train to-day.