The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-07-21
FACT AND FICTION.
A Story That is Not Wholly True

From, the Ne,o York World.
WASHINGTON, July 18.-Senators and
representatives of both political parties
were very much interested to-day in the
gossip of an incident which occurred on
Saturday last, involving the names of Sen
ator Colquitt and Representative Stewart
of Georgia and Representative Mckinley
of Ohio. For many weeks the people of
Atlanta, Ga, have been employed in pre-
pairing for ''ChautauQua, literary sym
postum, under the auspices of the famous
Chautauqua society, which originated some
years since in New York. Preparations
have been made on antunusually large scale,
and advantage has been taken of the OcCa-
sion to invite q number of prominent mon
and women to represent and address the
meetings Of the society.
Henry W. Grady, editor of the Atlanta
Constitution, is chairman Of the executive
committee, and upon him devolved the
duty of issuing invitations to the speakers
referred TO. After consultation with the
members of bis committee, it was decided
to invite Speaker Carlisle and Representa-
tive Mckinley to be present. The speaker
was chosen in view of his national reputa-
tion and ability as an orator, while Mr.
Mckinley was selected as one of the most
conspicuous figures on the republican side
of tile house, and upon the secondary con-
sideration taat MS presence would offset
any politicaleffeCt that might be drawn from
the invitations to SO thoroughly and uncom-
promising a democrat and tariff reformer
as Mr. Carlisle. The idea of a joint political
debate between these prominent representa-
tiveS of the two great parties was never for
a moment enter aimed The affair was in
tended to be purely literary and social.
Politics were to be eSchewed altogether
The invitations were prepared and for
warded 70 Senator Colquitt and Represen
tative Stewart, with the request that they,
as representing the state of Georgia, deliver
tnem to the speaker and Mckinley. The
speakers invitation was promptly handed
to him, with an urgent verbal request that
he accept it, but that addressed to Mr.. Nc
Kinley was returned to Mr.. Grady Mother
Mr. Stewart nor himself wrote Senator
Colquitt, dared to deliver it. Mr.. Grady
was greatly surprised at the receipt OF this
letter, but replied at once that another
channel would be fouad through which the
invitation would De transmitted. The facts
in the case leaked out a day or two ago, and
the incident is now the reigning sensation
of the capital. Senator Colqutt, in reply
to an inquiry as to his motive in declining
to deliver the invitation to Mr.. Mckinley,
said to-day: "Mr. Mckinley is a republi-
can, and we don't want him to preach any
OF his IDEAS 10 our people. L he SeHd' OF
was much surprised to learn that the Incl
dent had become known, and declared that
it was not a proper subject for public dis
cussion.
Representative Stewart said; "We be-
lieved that it was not best to invite a re
publican to address our people. He would
not agree with US, and his presence would
be sure to stir up ill-feeling and strife. We
have nothing against Mckinley personally,
but we don't want any republicans in our
country"
Mr. Mckinley has nothing to say with
regard to the affair, but it is believed by
his Fl lends that he will decline the invita-
ton, no matter how presented to him. The
action of Senator Colquitt and Representa-
tive Stewart is criticised on both sides of
the house and senate, the SeVereSt structures
being uttered by democratic members and
senators. A prominent Democrat said to-
day: at is what you call Dad break l
cannot conceive how Colquitt and Stewart
could have made such a blunder. 1t surely
must have been done in a thoughtless
moment. There is no man more universally
respected and admired on our side of the
house than Mckinley. In addition to being
a statesman, he is a scholar and might
most appropriately be present on this occa-
sion. 1t is altogether likely that he would
not have even referred to politics in the
whole course of his address If he had con-
sented to deliver one"