Birmingham age-herald., 1895-06-12
CAPTURED THE PRESIDENT.
THE ATLANTA DELEGATION SUCCESSFUL.
Mir. Cleveland Decides That He Will Visit the Exposition and October 23 Will Be
 Presidents Day.

Washington June 11.-October 23 will be presidents day at the Cotton $ ates and International exposition, which opens at Atlanta September IS. This was the result of a conference this after noon between President Cleveland and the committee of Atlanta's citizens dele gated to invite him to visit the eAposi- ton. The interview took place In the presidents private office in the White House, the visitors being introduced by Secretary Hoke Smith, who had reached Washington in the morning from snort visit to his family at Athens, Ga. Be sides those who left Atlanta Saturday there were present MT. Alex Smith, who accompanied Secretary Smith on the trip. It had been the purpose or the committee to present MT. CleVeland q formal invitation from the officers ana directors of the exposition company, which was prepared with great care ana much elaboration, but the information of the presidents probable programme induced a withholding of the document.
 MT. Cabaniss, vice-presldent or the eX- position company after several gentle men had been introduced to the presl- dent, addressed him as follows:
 "Mr President: A very pleasant duty has been assigned to this committee We come to invite your excellency, ana rom the WomanS board of managers 10 ln- vite Mrs Cleveland, to be present at the opening of the Cotton States and Inter national exposition, and to put Tn motlon the machinery, the throb of whose move ment will, we trust, be felt throughout the length and breadth of our country.
 "The committee begs the privilege ot briefly saying that the Cotton States and International exposition is not local or sectional. The endeavor will be to ln- terest all sections of this union and have them bring contributions from brain ana skill and resource, and in friendly com petition illustrate our growth and great ness and foreshadow the expectations Of still greater growth in the years to come.
 This exposition will be the fullest eX- position of the people of the south. Ihe bitterness of the past is forgotten, ana those who were once at enmlty Will not only live to see the greater enduring peace but will strive with each other to see which can do the most towards making a perfect union-one and 1ndis- soluble-and make this republic the best example of government among men ana greatness among nations.
 We of Atlanta and the south remem- Der with pleasure and gratitude former visit of your eXcellency, and hope you will recall the enthusiasm with which our people greeted you, giving evidence of our high esteem and warm devotion. Time has confirmed our fondest hopes that your administration would prove wise courageous and of lasting benefit We feel that our trust and confidence have not been misplaced. The hand that holds the reins of government has grown stronger, the head that plans for our safety and honor has grown clearer and the heart that feels for our comfort and happiness has grown warmer.
 "We ask you to come and see us again n6 wi 1 renewed manifestation of our regard and receive renewed assur- ances that we stand with you in all you do to wisely rule the people of this land"
 Mayor King of Atlanta followed, say ing:
 MT. President As the official repre- sentative of the city, and by the dircc- tion of the general council, it affords me great pleasure, in addition to the invita- tion which has been extended by MT. Cabaniss on behalf of the board of di- rectors of the exposition company, to give to you a most hearty and cordial invitation to visit the city of Atlanta during the exposition. Our people re- member with pleasure the occasion of your former visit and we arc ready and desirouS of again welcoming you to our city and of showing you the highest re- -spect. We appreciate what has been done for our city by the present admin istration in connection with the eXposi- tion, and it will be exceedingly gratify- ing to us to be honored by your presencS and have you see what has been done and note the continued growth and pros- perity of our city. We all love Mrs Cleveland and should also be exceedingly gratifed if she could accompany you"
 To these invitations, President Cleve- land made no formal response. He said he had been givig the subject of visit to Atlanta some attention and saw no way but for him to surrender to their wishes He begged leave to suggest, however, that 1t would be quite incon- venient, if not impossible, for him to at tend the exposition on the opening day, as on that day he would be at Gray Ga bles with his family. September. he fur ther said, was the month in which mem- bers of the cabinet almost without ex- ception, took their vacation, and they probably would also be unable to attend
 When he the nresidenD went, if he did go, he said he wanted the members of the cabinet to accompany him. If a later date were chosen he had no doubt he and his advisers would be present.
 After some time it was decided that the president and Mrs. Cleveland, if possible. and the members of the cabinet should leave Washington at midnight on October 21 arriving in Atlanta on the afternoon of the 22d, and that the 23d should be presidents day at the exposi- tion.
 At the suggestion of President Cleve- land every member in the cabinet was it once visited. headed by Secretary Smith. and their support of the arrange ment made at the White House secured.
 The delegation. most of whom started for Atlanta at midnight, were well pleased with the result of their trip.