The morning news., 1899-05-11
REQUESTS FOR The RALEIGH.
MAYORS LETTERS TO SECRETARY
LONG AND CAPT. COGHLAN.

The Navy Department Urged to Send
the Cruiser Here when She Leaves
CharIeston-Capt. COghIan and His
Men Assured of "a Warm Welcome
From the People of savannah.
Mayor Myers and City officials
Anxious for the Vessel TO Come.
Within the next two or three days IL will
be known whether Savannah is to have
a visit from the cruiser Raleigh. a formal
request was sent to Secretary Long yes
terday that the vessel be ordered here, and
with the same mail, an invitation to Capt.
Coghlan 10 become the guest of citizens
in case the Raleigh comes. Unless The
navy department has some serious OBJ
lection, it Is believed the visit will be
paid, and for the first time in the history
of the city modern United
States cruiser will pass un-
der the shadow of the city exchange.
The prospect of getting the cruiser here
created considerable enthusiasm yester-
day among city officials and citizens. all
of whom are anxious that the visit be
paid. During the stay of the officers 1t
is safe to predict that they will be the
recipients of unbounded hospitality and
will leave impressed with the warm feel
ing the Southern people entertain toward
the navy. There are none who doubt
that the fervor of Savannahians would
be fully demonstrated on this occasion.
Among those who are anxious for the
Raleigh to come is Mr.. John Rourke.
What he civ IN, ko -
from the large number of cannons here
and there about his foundry, can be we'll
imagined. The opportunity of honoring
visitors 10 the port, and particularly those
on official missions, are never lost by
MIR. RouTke who performs his part in a
fashion 10 make the visitors inquire from
whence cometh those thunderous tones.
If the Raleigh comes. she will not be
sighted in passing Rourke's dock.
Mayor Myers letter to Hon. Jobn n
Long, Secretary Of the Navy, is as fol-
lows:
THE citizens of Savannah desire an
opportunity to entertain the officers and
men of the cruiser Raleigh and to in
spect that vessel, which is now at Charles
Ton. We also have a number of soldiers
here, who would be pleased to see the Ra-
leigh before they are mustered out and
dlsperse to their homes.
1T would be regarded as a high com
plment to Savannah IL you would direct
the Raleigh to proceed to this port on the
expirati lion Of her visit TO Charleston
Trusting that il will be possible for you
to favor us in this manner and assuring
you in advance of the appreciation of all
the people of this city"
BY the same mail the following was sent
to Capt Joseph B. Coghlan:
In behalf of the people of Savannah
and its municipal government 1 extend
herewith to you and your fellow officers
of the Raleigh an earnest invitation to
visit this port and accept the hospitality
of its citizens. The Secretary of the Navy
has been requested to direct the Raleigh
to proceed to Savannah from Charleston.
If we are so fortunate as to have the
pleasure of a visit, 1 beg to assure you
that we shall consider ourselves especially
honored to have the opportunity to enter
tain its officers and crew"
Mayor Myers said that he hoped the
navy department would see its way to
send the Raleigh here He Is satisfied his
request is in accordance with the ex-
pressed wishes of all citizens.