The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-16

Reserves Elect civil Omcers Last
Nfght-They W I'll For Norfolk
Friday For Their New Training ship.
1t VIII Get Here Monday

IiCiilbCIE, LII ccscId i IlclilOcES VI III
Southport division were present as
guests.
After roll call, the minutes of the
last regular and special meetings were
read Inc approved.
Secretary and Treasurer J.. W. Free
man made his financial report and
the same was adopted.
CIVIL OFFICERS ELECTED.
After the regular routine business,
the election Of civil officers Of the divi-
sion for the ensuing year was an
nounced as in order.
The following officers were then
elected:
President-Hugh L. Miller.
Vice President-R. Fl. McKoy.
Secretary and Treasurer-w. r.. Mid
dleton.
Committee-D. D.. Barber,
L. l.. Corbett, w. D. HUM.
Uniform Committee-A. F. Gibson,
j. E. Cowell, j. NJ. Davis.
THE TRAINING SHIP.
Lieutenant H. H. McIlhenny inform
ed the division that Commander Geo.
l.. Morton and himself will leave here
next Friday night at 7:15 o'clock for
Norfolk to bring out to Wilmington
the auxiliary cruiser Hornet, which
has been assigned by the navy depart
ment as a training ship Of the North
Carolina naval militia. He said it was
necessary to take with them a crew of
twenty-seven men, and stated that the
expenses of the men would be paid,
but there was 10 provision to pay the
men. He called for volunteers and
about 10 volunteered to go. Mr.. Ernest
Burruss, of the Southport division, was
present, and said he thought about
twelve of the members of the South
port division would 60.
Lieutenant McIlhenny stated that he
would select the crew by today proba-
bly, and requested that all who were
not able to say then that they could go
would let him know today whether
they could take the trip or not. He
informed the reserves that they would
leave here Friday night, arrive in Nor
folk about 10 o'clock Saturday morn
ing, leave Norfolk with the Hornet
Sunday morning, and arrive in Will
mington about noon Monday and not
later than Tuesday, the weather being
favorable.
THE PHILADELPHIA MEETING.
Lieutenant McIlhenny stated that
it had been his intention to give an
account of he trip of Commander
Morton and himself to Philadelphia to
attend the meeting of the National AS
ISOLATION of the Naval Militia, but as
Commander Morton was present he
would leave it to him to make the
statement.
Commander Morton arose and was
greeted with applause. He gave the
reserves in detail the proceedings of
the National Association as to his
election as president Of the association
and it's action on the proposed legisla-
ton by congress with reference to h
naval militia, published on Sunday in
The Messenger. For his election to the
highest office in the National Associa-
ton he Ave all the credit to the North
Carolina reserves. He had been given
the honor because the record of the
Nantucket. manned by the North Car
DINA reserves during the war with
Spain, had the best record of all the
ships manned by the reserves of the
different states. (Applause.) In ex-
planning the naval militia bill to be
presented to congress by the navy de-
partment, Commander Morton sale it
affected the entire naval militia, COM
posed of about 5000 men.
In concluding his remarks, Com
mander Morton told the reserves that
their new training ship, the Hornet,
was one Of the incest vessels of her
class in this country; that she was a
handsome and fast boat, was a perfect
daisy and that he hoped to AXE the
reserves with him e Friday night
to Norfolk to bring the Hornet to Will
mington. CApplauSe.) He stated that
the reserves would have to Deal some
of the expense in bringing out the
| Hornet, but it was proposed at an
early date to give IN excursion to
| Southport and out to sea on the Hor-
net for the purpose of remunerating
the reserves for bringing her out. He
felt sure that the people of Whining
ton would be only too glad to take a
trip on this handsome steamer and
would literally patronize the excur-
sion. Commander Morton suggested
that the treasurer of the division be
sent to Norfolk as caterer, so he could
keep an itemized account of the ex-
penses so they could be refunded.
On motion of Lieutenant McIlhenny,
it was decided to send the treasurer to
Norfolk. as suggested.
THE WAR TROPHIES.
Commander Morton read the follow
ing telegram from Lieutenant Edwin
A. Anderson, who is on his way here
with the Spanish prize ship Sandoval.
bringing the war trophies to be pre-
sented to the North Carolina naval
| militia, to wit: