The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-01-13
AcoEpTANoks POURING IN.
LISTERS to President Purse for th

hSlb0TS 10 FfGAlQ6nE HQr66 TOT Lne
Board OF Trade Dinner.
The annual dinner of the board Of trade
which will take place at the De Soto Feb.
s, is attracting general attention over the
country. Answers 10 invitations continue
to pour in upon President Purse. Those
who cannot accept appear to regret it ex-
ceedingly and many are the complimentary
things said OF Savannah and her people.
President j. II. Martin Of the Southern
Wholesale Grocers' Association, the present
headquarters of which are at Memphis
writes a letter ia which be brings out some
most interesting points 20 the grocers OF
Savannah and the south generally. Presi-
dent Martins letter Is as follows:
MEMPHIS, TENN, Jan. 10, 1898.
ID. g. Purse. President, Sarann0h, Ga:
MY DEAR SIR--Your verv kind Invitation TO
attend the annual dinner Of the Savannah Board
of Trade on Feb reached me while in bed with
severe attack Of the grip. and take the ear
lest possible moment 10 express my warInest
thanks for the thoughtful notice.
IL would AFFORD me unbounded pleasure TO be
with you, but have an important case in the
United states court at Little Rock, Ark, TO
como up the first Monday in Febru-
myself the happiness proposed, and you viii
please tender your associates and especially
Mr.. Tiedeman, whom remember so favoraby,
my high appreciation Of the invitation and deep
regret that cannot attend
beg TO impress upon the members OF your
board, more particular the wholesale grocers,
the great Importance of organization to meet
and defeat the prevailing and increasing en-
croachments of the manufacturer and importer
upon their rights and privileges as distributors
to the retail dealer Of all products.
We have a continuous fight upon our hands
and our business is daily being ignored and in
vaded by these same manufacturers, who expect
to stock US with their products and then sell
our customers at same prices, or at any price.
IN TEA1O Ia fak Nas,
has accomplished much, but much more is to
be done. and it requires Organization" and q
shoulder to shoulder effort, combined with
patient and persistent WORK to reach our pur-
pose, but il can be done, and must be done. and
TO that end beg of you the sohd cooperation Of
your board and its Individual members.
With best wishes for the continued success OF
your splendid board OF trade, remain, very
respectfully. yours truly.
j. H. MARTIN President.
The membership Of the Southern Whole
sale Grocers' Association extends through
out the entire south, and the utterances of
its president are recognized as of weight
upon whatever subject expressed, pertain
ing to the trade
Col H. B. Crosby, agent of the syndicate
OF English capitalists and ship-buildere who
are preparing TO establish a direct line
between Savannah and Liverpool, will be at
the dinner and will probably bring some Of
the English capitalists with him. Col.
| Crosby has taken considerable interest in
the success of the dinner. In a recent let
| ter 60 Capt. Purse he says:
81 duly received your telegram saving
that you had invited Mr.. Sando OF London
to attend the dinner on Feb. s at Savannah.
| also wrote TO him by steamer which sailed
from New York on Jan. Z, earnestly re-
questiug him to be present on that occasion
and | also cabled him to-day"
Hon. James H. Blount. chairman OF the
LOO, 80 ET-s.-
| OF Representatives, will probably attend the
dinner. In letter to Capt. Purse dated
Jan. 10 he says that the condition of the
| business of the committee on foreign affairs
may make it very difficult for him to leave
| Washington at that time, but he seems
very desirious OF being present and ex-
presses the kindest feelings toward Savan-
nah and her people.
| Hon. Thomas @. Lawson who represents
the Eighth district in congress, says
he fears it will be impossible for him
70 be present on account of the
press of congressional business at that time
and consequently declines the invitation.
| Charles A. Dana of the New York Sun
| presents his compliments TO President
| Purse aud regrets most sincerely that it will
not be in hts power TO be In Savannah OF
Feb. in order to enjoy the pleasure OF
dining with the board Of trade.
RE-. Rev. Thomas A. Becker, bishop OF
Savannah, regrets that previous engage
ments will prevent his attendance upon the
| dinner.
President Purse says that the board Of
| trade dinner will be one of the most elabo.
rate affairs Of its kind IN the history of Sa
vannah. The dinner will be the very besl
that can possibly be prepared by the chef
OF the De Soto and in his most artistic style
The menu cards will be exceedingly ornate
aud will be well worth preserving q,
souvenirs. They will be special,
engraved for the occasion. All the ap
pointments of the dinner will be In keeping
| with the menu.
The list sof speakers has not yet beer
completed, but it is certain that some of th,
best speakers of the country will entertain
the guests upon the occasion.