The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-07
MAY GET A CAPTURED GUN.
MAYOR MYERS WILL ASK THE WAR
DEPARTMENT FOR ONE.

1t Is Understood II Request Made to
the Adjutant General or the Sec
rotary of War May Result in Sa-
vannah Being Given One of the
Old Cannon, to BE Mounted as IA
Memorial of the War With Spain.
Several Cities Have Already Sc
cured the Trophfes-One of the old
Pieces Is Now in Savannah Await
ing Shipment to a Town in Con-
necticut.
Savannah has her monument to Tomo-
chlchi her statues of Jasper and the sol
der of the Confederacy. her shaft to Pu-
lasl1l and memorials to Greene and Cor
don. She has grown 20 be a city of monu-
ments, and another is wanted 10 commem-
crate the heroism of American soldiers in
the war with Spain, and as reminder
of the many Savannah troops who donned
the blue.
Some time ago it was suggested by two
or three citizens that Spanish guns cap
tured at Santiago could be obtained from
the war department. Vessels were bring
ing them to this country, and it was stated
the government was ready to turn them
over to cities that might make application
for them. Any number of places in the
city are suitable for mounting such me
mentoes of the war, if they could only be-
secured.
without doubt a couple of the guns
could have been obtained had the request
been made six months ago. Nothing was
done about the matter at the time, how
ever Col ]. B. Bellinger. depot quarter
master, asked yesterday If he could sug
gest a plan to follow for getting one or
two of the old cannon now. He said the
proper course would be for some one of
the city officials, preferably the Mayor, to
write to the adjutant general or the Sec
rotary of War.
Col BeIinger did not know whether the
government still has any of the captured
cannon He recalls their having been
brought over to this country, but does not
known what disposition has been made of
them.
one of the old guns is now in Savannah.
II was brought over by Capt Williams,
who was quartermaster on one of the
transports. The gun is in a stOrehouse
at the wharf used by the government for
shipping purposes, and it is said 1t is TO
be sent to a city in Connecticut to be
mounted in just the way Savannah would
like to see it stand i'm one of her parks or
squares. Two or three old mortars have
also been brought through Savannah and
sent on to inland cities that started about
securing them some time ago.
Mayor Myers said yesterday that he will
apply to the adjutant general for one of
the Spanish guns. If it is obtained 1t
will be put in some conspicuous pace. A
donation of a gun by the government will
be a source of pride to many, and especial
ly to those who went to the front when
troops were called for.
From more than one source 1t has been
intimated that there was no doubt Sa-
vannah would get a gun on application,
provided there are any left. While there
are some who understand that there are
still several at Havana, Mayor Myers Is
not of this opinion. He says he under
stands that most of the Spanish guns
were sold by the government to New York
parties, who then offered them for sale to
different cities throughout the country.
One of the bought guns was offered to
Savannah, Mayor Myers said, but the
city did not care to buy it.
while I was not aware that ii was
possible for us to get one of those guns"
Mayor Myers said, win nevertheless
try. From the standpoint of patriotic de-
Voton to the government | cannot recall
any city more entitled to a compliment of
this kind than is Savannah. Her young
men and old men went to the front at
the first call. and stayed there as long
as the government had use for them Now
that they have all returned it is nothing
more than right that they should be hon
ored with gun captured from our enemy
at that time. No one will take more pride
than myself in urging that this request
! be granted"
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