The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-29
LET THE OFFICERS
VISIT RALEIGH
I
And the Presentations Be
Made in this City,.
BANQUET AT The HOTEL
THE CRUISER COULD EASILY BE
VISITED AT NORFOLK.
MIGHT ALSO BE SENT TO SOUTHPORT
The Officers Should Be Brought Here on a
Special Car and Entertained by the
City--All Ceremonies Could
Then be Held Here.

IHcII NC sfciu Vtfcs
After considering the matter in all its
phases the people of Raleigh are not SO
sure that they had rather have the Raj
eigh go to Southport than to Norfolk.
They prefer, of course all other things
being equal, that it come to North Caro-
lima waters. And to the people of Will
mington, who have shown so great in
terest i'll the matter they are deeply
grateful. But as the day draws near
for the arrival of the cruiser and individ-
uals are about to make preparations for
visit to the gallant warship named in
honor of this city, they find that if it
is sent to Southport they must be alb
sent from home three days in order to
spend three hours on the vessel
1t cannot, of course, come to Whining
ton because of the shallowness of the
bar. Even if it could, it would take two
days to visit it there.
If it goes to Norfolk, however. visitors
from Raleigh can go there. spend sew
eral hours on the cruiser and get back
the same day.
Hence the people here have been
doubtful as to just what order, in regard
to the Raleigh, they ought TO ask the
Navy Department in Washington to
make. If it goes to Southport a very
small number of Raleigh people can go to
see it. If it goes only to Norfolk all
who so desire can conveniently visit it,
but the presentations proposed cannot
be made in North Carolina waters.
As solution of the situation. there
fore, it has been proposed to bring the
officers of the Raleigh here on Il spe-
cial car. Entertain them at Il banquet
at one of the hotels, at which the pre-
sentation of gifts could be made.
This is nothing more than the citizens
of this city should do in honor of the
Raleigh's homecoming, and in recogni-
ton 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 to this city. of can
non captured at Manila. To the gallant
warship a silver punch-set will be given.
When the cruiser was first put in com
mission the city of Raleigh presented
the vessel with a silver punchbowl just
before the cruiser was ordered to the
Philippines the daughter of Governor
Holt Mrs. A. w. Haywood ordered a
set of silver. god-lined goblets and
spoons to match the punchbowl. On ac-
count of the war she has never had an
opportunity to present them. She will
avail herself of this opportunity to do
so. and nothing could be more fitting
and proper than that 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 to
whether the naval regulations would al
low their use.
If it is decided to present the colors
they will cost S227. 23: according to the
following estimate received yesterday by
Alderman Mcdonald from a firm that
has been making naval flags for the
government:
tne United States Ensign, 12x20
inches, S14.14.
One United States storm size, Sx12
iches 5000.
One United States Jack size, sx1o
inches, 1913.
One United States penant size, IS
inches, $500
One set International Code Signals
% tiags), $4,000.
One set Navy Code flags (33 hags),
$40.
Total, S22723.
These flags to be of the best buntin:
and strictly regulation in every respect.
While out of commission material
changes will be made in the Raleigh
And just where this will be done is also
uncertain.
A spirit of rivalry has sprung up be-
tween Norfolk and Portsmouth. ~ H.,
and strong pressure is being brought to
bear on the Navy Department from
each quarter to have the Raleigh re-
paired there.
The Raleigh is ''over-powered' heavily
according to the latest standards. 1t
has as much machinery as a battle ship
crowded into a 5000 tons hull, so that
the vessel lacks coal endurance. The
probabilities are that the cruiser vii, be
cut in two and heightened by about
thirty feet.
Although the Raleigh is not top-heavy,
the addition Of this length to its hull
would add greatly to the good qualities
of the ship. The cost of the work will
be about 100000 to begin with. and
it may be that other changes involving
further expenditures will be made in the
batteries and equipment of the ship.
The people of the city of Raleigh ought
to carefully consider the facts above set
out and open their hearts and their
purses to give Captain Coglan and his
men, of the gallant cruiser, which took
such conspicuous part in the naval
battle in Manila bay on May i. royal
welcome when they come to port, no
matter where