The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-03
WON'T PAY RENT FOR CAMPS.
MAYOR MELDRIM SAYS ENOUGH
LAND CAN BE HAD FREE.

Statement to Gen. Miles VIII Sue
cinctIy Embrace Facts Already
Laid Before Him-General Interest
in the Movement Continues and
saneuine Hopes entertained OF
Landing an Army Here-City May
Get Troops From state EncnmD-
ments.
There will be no delay in sending to
Gen. Miles at Tampa the statement he re-
quested of Mayor Meldrim regarding the
facilities Savannah and its SURROUNDINGS
possess for an army rendezvous. The re-
port win fully ana clearly cover every de
tail.
The committee which intended going
to Washington Is hopeful of good results
from the conference with Gen. Miles and
is satisfied that far more was accomplish
ed than would have been possible at
Washington. 1t might have been impos-
sible to have obtained a satisfac-
tory conference in the first place,
while under no circumstances would
the time and other privileges
have been accorded the committee
that it received on Gen. Miles train. The
fact that the best was made of the op-
portunity is assuring that there is a like
lihood of Savannah being designated as a
concentrating point
Looking forward TO this time, and de
string that everything be in readiness
when the government determines to act
the members Of Council, as Wen as the
IL
to the securing of suitable localities out
of the large number Offered for camp
grounds. OF these, there are some made
simply as a speculation, the owners eX-
pecting a bonus either from the govern
ment or the city, which has agreed to
make all arrangements in this regard.
Absolutely nothing will be paid for
lands for this purpose" said Mayor Mel
drim. Several offers have been made
with a view doubtless of prohting by the
troops concentrating here. IL is patriotism
which prompts the city to lend every pos
stble assistance to the government
and not simply desire TO
reap the profit which will necessarily flow
from the presence of large bodies of
troops. There will be no speculations.
The city viii not charge the government
for lands; neither will It pay property
owners rentals to get places for the
troops. Already there have been a suffi-
Gent number of offers to insure ample
ground for this purpose, which is availa-
Die at any time the government desires 90
occupy II with soldiers. Every courtesy
will be shown, all conveniences for the
troops Will be provided, parade grounds will
De graded If necessary, and every promise
made Gen. Miles will be faithfully carried
out to the letter. Desiring to get a share
OF the troops, efforts have been made in
the strongest possible manner, and we
a a4ra4 0 Ia.
nan would not be forgotten in designating
the concentrating points.
whether troops now In the state camps
VIII come in case Savannah is designated
cannot be told" he said There is a
large number still in camp in the various
states, but il may be determined thew
are now in as good place as could be had
unless a movement TO Cuba is momen5ar-
lily looked for. In this event it may be
the soldiers viii be moved nearer the
front soon, when we would expect recog-
milton. There is no question but the citv-s
good points have been sufficiently empha-
sized and viii prove beneficial when the
time comes"
The pretty stretch of land south of EstU
avenue, the level fields along the Thunder
DOH road and IN the vicinity of the rife
range are considered among the best To-
caliues available Facilities of every kind
can easily be provided by reason of the
from the city plant, provisions coming hy
either water or rail, sewers and other nee
essary arrangements can be provided ard
without great expense. Wide expanses of
land in every direction, are ready for the
battailons which from present Indications
will soon be called on to move
Commanding officers recognize that
nothing keeps the volunteer more encour-
aged than tender words from fathers
mothers and other loved ones at home Ii
nerves MIN for the conflict dispels lone
someness, brings cheer and keeps the men
happy and spirited. The mails TO Savan-
nan are brought by a sufficient number of !
trains to warrant prompt delivery. Spe-
cal wagons would probably be had alone
Tor the purpose of conveying mails TO the
camp grounds, where 1t is probable post
Office would be erected.
There will be no opportunities lost in
pressing the matter of getting troops
Alert to what every citizen wants, Mayor
Meldrim has expressed his intention of
turning every stone and keeping the an |
thoflues impressed with the general |
Wishes. He is backed by his colleagues
on the committee whose labors have been
no less arduous; by the members of Coun- |
GIL who stand willing to render any as
slstance; by the Board Of Trade. which has
passed a strong memorial and forwarded
u TO Congress, and by Post A, Travellers
protective Association, which started the
pan rolllng by its meeting at the Screven
House. All these are working together
with the large commercial interests of Sa-
vannah and if desired results are not ac-
complished, it will not apparently be a
lack Of public spirit.
-S-~s-.---
MONUMENT FOR ENSIGN BAGIEY