Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-05-30

Aroused Great inthusinsm-A Nc.r
Department OF work Launched
| The Norfolk Association md i,s
Ncccssitiox,
Correspondence OF Virginian-Pilot.>
Grand Rapids. Mich, May 29.-Ihe
first great International gathering ever
presided over by an Admiral of the
United States Navy opened in this city
Friday night. and thinking that readers
Of the Nirginan-P Pilot would apprc-
ciate the great Y. NJ. c. y. Conven-
ton. as seen through the eyes OF the
Norfolk delegation. consisting of Gene
raj Secretary II. 4. Nicacham, w. H.
Barnard. j. w. Bunting and c. Benson
Ferebee. send you Il few notes:
Three of the nations naval heroes
lent interest to the opening services
They were Admiral Philip, now COM
mandant of The brooklyn Navy-yard.
Admiral Higg.nson and Commander
Wadhams President Shuoy called the
| convention TO order and introduced Ad-
| niial Philip as presiding officer of the
evening.
~ SPLENDID RECEPTION.
1t is unnecessary to say that the gal
ant commander of the Texas in the
ate war; Il Norfolk w2rship, having
been constructed at our navy-yard, re
ceiVed an ovation which, in volume.
sponianiety and sincerity is seldom
Witnessed. The applause which greeted
ms appearance included Chautauqua
salute and lasted for seven minutes.
lic WAS much embarrassed, being very
modest and rs gentle as u child. He
said. in part:
Il was always ready to command n
snip with sailors, but to preside over
such IL noted body as this y. ~ c. \
international Convention is beyond
my powers. However. my instructions
are to do certain things and say little.
ana as loyal sailor / can but obey
orders, leaving to others who are
brave enough to address such an audi
cncc the privilege OF speaking"
LETTER FROM AI'I[INLEY.
Before Introducing the next speaker
Admiral Phiiip read a letter from
| president Mckinley, who regretted that
he was unable TO be present At the
mention of the name of the President
me audience again went wild. and the
| cheering lasted for at least another five.
minutes. The letter read:
Hot Springs, Va.
My Dear Sir-Thc work of the sailo,
oranch of the Young Mems Christian
Association. which was brourh, Ia m +,
attention short time ago durine. nv
! Visit TO Brooklyn. greatly Interested me
am glad To know OF the efforts thar
are being made to bring the ennohliu..
influence more ana more within mo
reach of our soldiers and sailors. Whnt
you nave already accomplished in so
snor. Il TIME should be an encourage
nrnt 10 all engaged in similar work
The great central organization has nj.
ways stood for right living. and IL is =
pressure TO me TO commend any +,ton
| SION OF it and TO wish it success. Very
sincerely yours.
| WILLIAM NrKINLlGY.
NSar Ndhliral John w. Philip. l.. $ \.
Conmandant. Navy-yard and STA.
| ton. Brooklyn, New York
ADMIRAL IIIGGINsoN.
Admiral Hisginson. on being intro
dlioeA.- rcceiNad- ovation only second
10 mat of his superior. Admiral Philip.
Assured the necessity of doing some
| thing for the men in the navy. he said:
we can't EXPECT that when Jack
| gets ashore he is not going to have n
good time. We want him to have a
| good time. but he should have n Mace
10 resort for the night, after the nmuse-
| Inent OF the evening, where he can hn
sure OF fair treatment ana from which
| ne can come in the morning n sober
| clean and self-reSpectinC man. The
| place where such an institution is most
needed is when the sailor is aboard nj
| one or our outpost stations Tor in
stance, at Manala n home for the
| sailor should be provided where they
can nave their sport and their fun
under good surroundings"
The convention again went wild when
peWey's name was mentioned
COMMANDER WADHAM.
Lieutenant Commander Wadham's
address was very Interesting. 1t dealt
largely with our navy as a power
especially In maintaining peace ana
commanding the respect OF the world
he referred to the changes in naval
construction, and said that with the
completion Of the ships under con
struction and those allowed by Con-
gress the United States will be The
fourth naval power, and England.
FRANCE and Russia only ranking us.
lie iaid stress upon the work the Y NJ.
{. y. had planned to do for our sailors
ana marines and commended 1t.
TWO INCIDENTS.
The two closing incidents of the ses-
SION were: First the reference to The
ihtertwined lags of the United States
and Great Britain by the speaker. nj
which the crowd went into another
paroXism of applause. The last was
the presentation To the president OF The
convention by Admiral Philip. of
gaVci made from wood taken from The
spanish cruiser Colon. The Admiral
sad that he would rather have had il
made from the wood Of one of two
other vessels OF the Spanish feet. but
~