The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-25
FORCE BILL DESPOTISM.
ATLANTA BUSINESS MEN ENTER
THEIR PROTEST..


ence to a BoycOtt-The Corporation
OF All Lovers of Good Government
Sought In the Fight Against the
Measure.
ATLANTA, GA, July 24.-Pursuant to the
call of ex-Gov. Bullock, president of the
chamber of commerce, Atlanta's business
men met to-day to take action in protest
against the force bill. Mayor Glenn pre-
sided and the meeting was thoroughly rep
resentative, about 500 being present
DEFEAT FOR THE HOT HEADS.
The meeting seems to have been called
with the idea that Atlanta would indorse
the proposed commercial boycott Of the
north, but no such action was taken. Mayor
Glenn suggested that a moderate view Of
the situation ought to be taken.
Capt. E. ?. Howell advocated the adop-
tion of resolutions vigorously protesting
against the force bill.
Col. Albert Cox was the next speaker.
He said the proposed boycott was worse
than foolishness. He thought the south
was prosperous and argued that 1t would
be unwlse TO disturb existing commercial
relations. He believed the United States
to be one country, and could see no wisdom
in the south separating herself from the
balance OF the republic in freak of pas
sion. The colonels idea was that the con-
servative Senate would likely kill the force
bill
JUDGE HAMMOND NOT HoT-HEADED.
Ex-Congressman N. j. Hammond fol-
lowed Col. Cox. Alluding incidentally to
the present complication of politics he said
II regret that men of large experience aud
pure patriotism have been driven home TO
protect their places at Washington. Geor-
gia now has the ablest delegation in the
House. l fear she will have the
weakest" Col. Hammond did not believe
the force bill would pass the Senate.
He thought conservative senators from
the north would help those from the south
to defeat it. Even if it should pass he did
not think commercial secession the proper
way to meet the emergency. Threats were
always unwise in advance of preparation
for action.
The speeches of Col Cox and Capt. Ham
mond settled the matter, as far as the defeat
of the hot-heads was concerned
Several series of resolutions were intro
duced, and a committee of fifteen, with
Col. Hammond as chairman, was appointed
to consider them.
1t was the sense Of the meeting that
everything in the nature of threat should
be kept out Of the resolutions
THE RESOLUTIONS.
The following resolutions were finally
adopted:
WHEREAS, The measure known as the force
bill, sanctioned by the House and now pending
in the Senate Of the United States. is regarded
by us as injurious to the whole country and as
intended to uphold federal elections by bayonet
! rule and
WHEREAS, We look with alarm upon the pas
| SAGE of a measure that must estrange the
| sections. oppress and humiliate loyal people,
| and disturb the harmony that now exists in the
| commercial relations of the north and south;
| and,
WHEREAS, We believe it 10 be contrary to the
| spirit OF our organic law and the institutions
| OF our government to place federal election
under the entire control Of partisan admins
| tration and its followers; and
WHEREAS, The south under the constitution and
laws OF the land is entitled TO the same rights of
local self-government. and home rule enjoyed
by any other section Of the country. therefore,
as loyal citizens of the union, standing by the
constitution of forefathers, we do
enter our most solemn protest against the
passage Of the force bill now before the Senate,
and we do resolve. first, that we ask the coop
GRAFTON of the business interests of the north,
and Of all patriotic Americans. In directing
their influence against such measure; second,
we call upon the true friends of good govern
ment everywhere to unite with us in this
peaceful effort to save government Of the
people, by the people and for the people from
being turned into partisan despotism.
MoNTGoMERY's ACTION.
MONTGOMERY, ALA. July 24-1'he Mont
gomery Industrial and Commercial Asso-
citation, at a largely attended meeting to-
day, adopted the following resolutions:
WHEREAS, The Commercial and Industrial
Association Of Montgomery, Ala, is a nom
partisan body composed of business men who
take cognizauce of questions of general inter
est only as they aft ct the social, commercial
and industrial affairs of the city and state and
WHEREAS, There is now pending in the Senate
of the United States bill known as the Lodge
election bill. which If it becomes a law will.
we fear, work untold evil to the entire country,
north and south alike; therefore be it
Resolved, BY the Commercial and Industrial
Association, That we earnestly protest against
the passage Of the Lodge bill for the following
reasons:
/. That it creates a returning board system
utterly repugnant to free institutions and
ignores state laws already in force for the con-
duct of elections.
2. That instead of purifying the federal
system of elections 1t renders possible
and probable frauds that will be monu-
mental in comparison with any of the past, for
reasons that partisan preiudices may be en-
couraged and abetted by the appointment Of
designing an INSCRIPTIONS men who will have
ignorant and excitable masses to manipulate.
3. That the industrial and business develop
ment Of the south, now so rapid aud prosper
GUS, will be set back, and we fear partisan zeal.
with such clouds Of ignorance to work upon,
will undo the good result Of years of pacifica-
ton and progress, and inaugurate era that
will jeopardze the social business and agri-
cultural interests of the south, and effect un
favorably the interests of the country at large.
Recognizing tho intimate social, CONNER
cial, financial and business interests Of
the people Of the south with those of
the north and west, we earnestly ask similar
representative bodies In all portions
of the union to give attention to this disturbing
question and to endeavor by proper means to
prevent by prompt action and earnest protest
the enactment Of a law so capable of being
made destructive both of the liberty and pros
perity Of the people. We enter this our protest
fort he sole purpose Of explaining to the whole
country how virtually the business and social
interests are effected by the proposed legis-
latIon and how as a consequence thereof,
the business interests Of the whole union will
be made to suffer. The following resolution
was adopted
This association is opposed to, and will, In no
event. lend its aid to any measure looking to
boycott Of any northern or western goods or
markets 10 enforce its opinions on public meas
ures.
MOBILE OPPOSED TO BOYCOTT.
MOBILE, ALA, July A-The following
was adopted to-day in response to an in
quiry from Atlanta relative to the proposed
boycott:
MOBILE, July 24.-Tuesday we wired you
as follows in answer to your telegram ask
ing our view of the suggestion to hold a
convention of southern business men to
consider what is best to do