The Savannah morning news., 1901-12-28
MAYOR is FOR THEM
NAVAL MILITIA SHOULD GET AN
APPROPRIATIONS.
IF THEY HAVE THE STRENGTH
INVESTIGATION OF THEIR STAND
ING WILL BE MADE.

Petition of the Naval Militia Was
Filed Yesterday-They Want Ac-
ton of Council, Eliminating Them
From the List of Benefeiaries,
Rescinded-Sny That Council Was
MisinfOrmed as tn Their strength.
Sentiment of the other Military
Commands Is for the Naval Militia
TO Participate in the ApprOpri-
alton, the Petitioners Say-They
Want to Appear Before Council.
The effort of the Naval Militia to be
included in the city's appropriation of
$4,000 for the benefit of the white mill
tary of Savannah may prove success
full Mayor Myers, who returned the
night before last from a visit to rela-
tives in Richmond and resumed the ad-
ministration of the city's affairs, was
asked what chance for success the
Naval Militia had.
IF the Naval Militia" replied the
Mayor, were excluded by Council
from participation in the appropriation
for the reason that it was understood
that the strength of the organization
was but sixteen men, l consider that
some action should be taken to make
them beneficiaries of the city also, if
they can show that their strength Is
greater than we.s understood. If they
have strong and effective organiza-
ton, they are in> position to afford
the city as valuable service as other
commands that are included in the ap-
preparation and they should receive the
same encouragement"
An investigation into the strength of
the division will be made. A commun-
lcation will be addressed to the adju-
tant general. and copy ofAthe last
quarterly report of the command will
be asked for. This will show just how
many men the. division had at the time
the report was rendered.
Yesterday the Naval Militia nett
toned the Mayor and Aldermen, ask
ing that they reconsider the action
taken at the last meeting and give
them them part or the military appropria-
lon. 1t was brought to bear on the
Guy council, says the petition, that.
there were only some sixteen men ii,
me division, and that it should be
stronger to receive support from the
city, upon which information and ar.
gument the Council acted In this the
council was very badly misinformed
ana misled, for, instead of the ranks
being depleted and of their being only
some sixteen strong as was uniustly
argued, the petitioners have an enroll
ment of forty-five enlisted men in
active service"
The petition has a list of the names
OF the members of the organization at
tached. and sets forth that the division
is IN an excellent condition, being fully
equipped and uniformed, enthusiasts
and ready and able to do good SER
vice for the city or the state, if called
upon.
The petitioners make much bet
ter snow and are much stronger. In
numbers" the petition continues. land
other respects than several of the
companies which are to receive $3.50 per
annum from the appropriation from our
generous and beloved city For the
city to cut them out of their lust pro-
portion of the appropriation will not
only be very hurtful and unfair to the
petitioners. but will be a reflection
upon the city.
THE sentiment of the military men
- amman 10 III ldNoT OF giving the
petitioners their just proportion of the
appropriation, and the sister COM
panies of Savannah would rather for
felt the small amount that would 60
to them by cutting the petitioners out
or the appropriation than to see such
an injustice done them"
1t Is further set forth that the Naval
Militia feel that they have been UNI
fairly treated in having been judged
before they were heard, and that it
was an unjust discrimination against
them to accept unfair argument and
transformation. They ask to be al
lowed to appear before Council on their
behalf.