The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-31

The News aud Observer Takes Queer
Position - Favors Norfolk Rather
Than Wilmington as the Place
Where She 10 to Presens she wsniia
Gum TO the city OF Raleigh-.S sing ula r
Lack of knowledge OF Our Port

Gum TO the City Of Raleigh .Singula
Lack OF knowledge OF Our Port
The Raleign News and Observer Of
yesterday gets of the following very
singular reference TO the proposition tor
bring the cruiser Raleigh 10 Whining
ton or Southport when she presents To
the city of Raleigh one OF the guns
captured from the Spaniards ut tho
battle OF Manila:
After considering the matter In ali
its phases :he people OF Raleigh are not
so sure that they had rather have the
Raleigh go 10 Southport than 10 Nor
folk.
They prefer. Of course, all other
things being equal. that 81 come ID
North Carolina waters. And 10 the peo-
pie Of Wilmington, who have shown SO
great interest in the matter, they arc
deeply grateful. But as the day draws
near for the arrival Of the cruiser and
individuals are about 10 make prepara-
tions for a visit 10 the gallant warship
named in honor Of this city. they find
that IL il is sent 10 Southport they
must be absent from home three days
in order To spend three hours on the
vessel.
1T cannot, of course. come to Will
mingtOn, because Of the shallowness Of
the bar Even If Ii could, IL would take
two days TO visit IL there.
If 1t goes To Norfolk, however, visi-
tors from Raleigh can so there, spend
several hours on the cruiser and get
back the same day. Hence, the people
here have been doubtful as to just what
order in regard 10 the Raleigh they
onght TO ask the navy department in
Washington to make. II IL goes to
Southport a very small number OF Raj
eigh people can go TO see IL. III IL goes
only TO Norfolk all who so desire can
conveniently visit it, but the presen-
tations proposed cannot be made in
North Carolina waters.
las a solution of the situation, there
fore, ii has been proposed to bring tho
officers Of the Raleigh here on a special
car Entertain them at a banquet at
one of the hotels at which the presen-
tation Of gifts could be made.
This is nothing more than the citi-
zens Of this city should do in honor
of the Raleighs homecoming and I'm
recognition Of the compliment paid.
the city in the naming Of the cruiser.
And it will solve the Norfolk-Southport
contest.
The presentations will consist on
the part of the cruiser 10 this city OF
cannon captured at Manila To tho
gallant warship silver purch-set Will
be given. When the cruiser was first
put in commission the city Of Raleigh
. presented the vessel with a silver
punchbowl. Just before the cruis T.
daughter Of Governor Holt tMrs. A
w. Haywood ordered a set OF silver
gold-lined goblets and spoons TO matcn
the punchbowl. On account OF the wa
| she has never had an opportunity To
| present them. She will avail herself
! of this opportunity to do 50, and moth
| ing could be more fitting and proper
| than these presentations should be
made in this city.
| 1T was also proposed TO make up a
| purse to purchase a handsome set OF
| silk colors to be presented TO the
| cruiser. This, however, will hardly be
done, as there seems TO be some doubt
| as 10 whether the naval regulations
| would ALLOW their use.
IF it is decided to presert the colors
| they will cost $22723; according TO the
| following estimate received yesterday
| by Alderman Mcdonald from a firm
that has been making naval flags for
| the government: One United States
Ensign, 12x20 inches, $14.14; one United
| States storm size, SKIP inches, $3.50,
| one United States Jack size, SxI0 in
| ches, 1913; one United States Penant
| size, 15 inches $500; one set Interna-
| tional Code Signals, nineteen fiags).
$4,000; one set Navy Code flags Ohir-
| ty-three fags). $145. Total. s227.23'
| The News and Observer may be cor
i, rect in saying that the people OF
| Raleigh are not so sure that they had
| rather have the Raleigh go TO South
port than to Norfolk but 1t is hard
| 10 believe that they would That the
| Raleigh people who will go to receive
, the gun would have to be absent from
J home three days In order to spend three
| hours on the vessel is a great mistake.
| whatever the first statement may be.
| The fact is, the Rsleighfes could come
| to Southport and return the same day
| and do il quite as advantageously, or
| even more so, as the trip could be made
| to Norfolk. Indeed, the Raleigh peo-
| pie can leave Raleigh an hour and n
| half later than they could leave for
| Norfolk, and in returning they would
get back TO Raleigh just ten minutes
| later than they would from Norfolk
For instance, the train leaves RaIS1GDn
| FOR Norfolk at 2:30 a m. and go 20
| Norfolk at 7:25 a. m. The tram InAGSs
Raleigh for Wilmington at a. IN. and
| arrives In Wilmington at $50 a. IN. On
/ the return the train leaves Norfolk at
s:45 p. m and arrives in Raleigh at
2:2O p. m. From Wilmington the train
| leaves at p. m. and arrives in Raleigh
| at 2:30 a. m
| The trip TO Southport would not
make any material difference, as ample
time would be had 10 have the func-
| tons on board the cruiser and give the
| visitors all the time they would care
TO spend on board.
| Our contemporary seems not to know
| however, that the Raleigh has been over
our bar. She came here when-the punch
| bowl was presented She can also easily
come to Wilmington. Any ship that
can come over the bar can come to VIII
mington. Ships drawing much more
| water than the Raleigh come to VIII
mington, and The News and Observer
is reminded that steamers have clear
l ed from our wharves and nut sea with
| 1900 bales OF cotton.
/ There is nothing in the reasons as
signed by The News and Observer why
! the Raleigh should go to Norfolk, and
II the people OF Raleigh prefer for her
70 come 70 North Carolina waters there
is nothing to prevent her from doing IL.