The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-23
LET THE GUNS BE MANNED.
BOARD OF TRADE JOINS IN MEMOIR
RIAL FOR COAST DEFENSEs.

RIAL FOR COAST DEFENSEs.
Ringing Resolutions Passed by the
Board of Trade Unite That Body
With New York Chamber of Com
merce in the Movement to Double
the Present Enlisted Strength of
the Coast Artillery, So That FOrti-
hcatiOns Mny Each BE Provided
with Its Proper Quota of Men.
Proposed National piIotaSe Law
Not to the Boards Liking and Com
gress Is BesOusht to Defeat II.
A special meeting of the Savannah
Board of Trade was held a Il o'clock
yesterday morning, to consider import
ant matters is connection with the defense
of the coasts and harbors of the country
and the protection of the local pilots In
one case proposed legislation in Congress
is desired while in the other 1t is strenu-
ously opposed.
The first matter considered by the as
sembled members of the Board of Trade
was circular letter sent out by the New
York Chamber of Commerce, inviting the
cooperation of the board in memorializing
strength of the coast artillery. so that the
fordfcations recently erected and provil-
ed with armament, as well a those of
earlier date, might be properly and ade-
quatelY manned. The letter of the New
York Chamber of Commerce, which has
taken the initiative is this matter, stated
the locations of all of the government FOR
tifications and gave the number of men
necessarily employed in guarding each of
them and working the guns and mortars
with which they ore mounted.
The number of men allotted to the de-
lenses of the river and harbor of Savan-
nah is given at 4l6, at the least caIcula-
ton, and the enactment of the desired
Il legislation. with the formation and organ
izatlon of the new regiments thus provi.l-
ed for, would have a iocal interest and
serve a local purpose. Not only would
the city have adequate defense against
an invading foe, that menaced her harbo-
bnt the garrsons at Fort Screven ard
other points at the entrance to the cnaa-
mel would be materially increased, to she
advantage of the merchants of Savannah
The matter was discussed at some little
length. and the following resolutions. with
their pramble, We're finally offered by Mr.
c. .. Baldwin and adopted by unani-
nous vote
In recent years, while the coast de-
lenses of the country have been greatly
enlarged in structures and guns, the num-
Der of men in coast artillery branch of
the army has remained unchanged, in
consequence of which war with any
foreign country would take us at the dis
advantage of lacking experienced men 70
man the guns, so embarrassingly demon
strated in our late war with Spain
tfTbArnfnra ha 4
vannah Board of Trade, That Congress
be requested and urged to increase the
coast artillery from 9,702, the present
quota, to 19,404 enlisted men, that every
coast battery from Puget sound on the
west coast, to the Penobscot river on the
east, may have its full complement of men
drilled and experienced in gunnery. that
our coast cities and their commerce may.
at all times, have prompt and ADEQUATE
protection from foreign foes, and, second
ly,
Resolved, That copies of this memorial
be certified to the New York Chamber of
Commerce, which has invited our coon
Grafton In this important matter. and that
other copies be certified TO and sent to
our senators and representatives. in Con-
gress, and that they be requested to give
their support TO any measure that will Sc
cure an adequate enlisted force of coast
artillerists for the proper protection at all
times, of our entire coast line"
IN accordance with the resolutions Presi
dent Purse will at once send certified COPIES
TO the New York Chamber of Commerce
and the senators and representatives in
Congress from this state ACCOMMODATING
the copies sent to the latter with an urg-
ent request that the legislation suggested
may have the favorable attention of these
gentlemen.
The Board of Trade also discussed the
advisability Of memoraling Congress to
defeat the bill now pending in the House
of Representatives, to take away from
the states the control of all questions of
pilots and pIlotage and vest IL in a nation
al commission, with large powers and au-
thority. one Of the principal objections
to the bill is that Il would destroy The
port and state regulation, that compels
foreign vessels entering the harbor at Sa-
Vanrah. TO provide themselves with local
pilots licensed by the state or its author
ity.
Mr.. Walter Coney moved that the presi
dent of the Board Of Trade be directed
TO address communication to Hon. c. II
Grosvenor, chairman of the House Conn
mittee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries
to which the bill introduced has beer
referred. protesting against its PASSAGE
In his letter to Congressman Grosvenor
protesting against the enactment of the
law and urging that II be referred back
TO the House with the disapproval of the
committee President Purse saws of Sa
vannah and the effect the passage of tie
law would have upon the city:
Ihis is the most important port in tte
onited states on the South Atlantic be-
! lns me largest cotton port on this coast.
10 the largest naval stores port In tbe
orld, and its commerce in lumber ana
tneral merchandise keeps a large neet