The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-23
MELDRIM'S TALK WITH ALGER.
SECRETARY SAID SAVANNAH
WOULD GET SOLDIERS.

The Conference Mayor MeIdrim Had
With Secretary AIger-Savannah
Certain of Being a Concentrating
Point for TrOops-But Department
They Would likely Be Sent-Ev-
erything Promised the Govern
ment by the City Can Be Placed in
Readiness in Forty-EIght Hours.
Getting troops in Savannah apparently
dropped from the public eye when the po-
litical winds arose, which will make the
announcement the more pleasing that Sec
rotary Alger has expressed his intention
Of sending soldiers here at some time in
the near future. The secretary has said
nothing, however, as to the time, simply
expressing his conviction that the city Is
suitable for the purpose and troops will
be sent.
Mayor Meldrim went to Washington TO
confer with the secretary, and returned
yesterday with the pleasing assurance that
the efforts of the local committee to Sc
cure recognition from the government in
detailing troops had by no means been
unavailing. The Mayor recognized from
the failure to get definite information
from the war department after the report
of the army board had been filed that
there was something in the way, and it
was for the purpose of determining the
exact status of affairs that the trip was
made.
The great rush of business, owing to the
prosecution of the Cuban campaign, makes
its impossible for Secretary Alger to de-
vote much time to callers, but Mayor
Meldrlm was courteously received. He TO-
cussed his conversation, of course, to the
detailing of troops at Savannah. The
Mayor stated to the secretary that the re-
cent investigation of the army board en-
jections to Savannah, he would like to
know what they were. To this the secre-
tary replied that there were no reasons for
not placing troops here little later on,
and that this would very probably be done.
While discussing the matter, Secretary AL
ger seemed satisfied with the boards re-
port, which detailed the advantages and
the Ol1SIS the city IndOe.
Just when the soldiers will be ordered
here, however, seems to be largely due to
circumstances. 1t was learned that those
to be sent here, will consist of volunteers
under the call for 5000 men. Aside from
the bare fact that the city will be desig-
mated as point for concentrating and dis
cplining the troops. no further information
was obtained by the Mayor In fact, the
HI ~
Der that will likely be sent, as these de-
tails have not even been remotely consid-
cred. Reasons were given for the delay in
holding the men in state encampments over
a month yet, which were not such, how
ever as to lessen Mayor Meldrim's con-
viction that the troops are a certainty.
Since the army board returned to Wash
lngton, there was some doubt as to what
consideration its report would be given
Notwithstanding 1t was known the recon-
mendation was favorable to Savannah. 10
remove this anxiety, Mayor Meldrim took
1t upon himself to go there in person, have
talk with the secretary, and determine
just what might be expected. The COM
mittee, as we'll as many of the merchants.
worked assduously TO bring out the strong
points the city offered, and the prospective
result of their labors was matter of prime
importance to all concerned. Everybody
will feel elated over the success that has
come.
"Forty-eight hours notice is all we
want" said the Mayor in speaking of the
matter THE lands have already been
selected, and arrangements made to take
possession of them at any moment By
hasty wark the camping grounds can be
supplied with water connection, and all
other preparations 1t may be necessary
to make, can be carried out before the
soldiers could get here. The hearty man.
ner in which all classes of citizens have
stood by the city's efforts in this direction,
are highly commendable The character
istic public spirit has not been lacking
in the people, nor has there been any sell
tishness shown in rendering lands that
could in any way become a barrier"