Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-09
WAS AN OVERSIGHT.
This the Explanation Of Why Mayor
Taylor Was Not Invited.
NO DIscOURTEsY WAS INTENDED.
There Were No Formal Invitations
Issued, and Very Few Platform
Randolph Writes nn Explanation.

Tickets Were Distrfbuted-Major
Randolph Writes an Explanation.
The fact that Mayor Taylor did not APP
pear I'm last Thursdays parade and was
not among those who occupied seats on
the stand in Monroe Park during the ex-
ercises incident TO the laying Of the cor
ner-stone OF the Jefferson Davis monument
has given rise to some comment, and some
OF the friends OF the Mayor have been in
| having extended the head OF the city gov
ernment a special invitation.
From whatJ Dispatch reporter who
inquired diligently into the matter yester-
day, was able to learn, it appears that the
| failure 70 invite the Mayor was purely
an oversight, and that there was no sort
of slight shown or intended TO either him
or the municipality which had generously
appropriated $1,000 toward providing for
the great reunion.
In arranging for all OF the former Con-
federate celebrations previously held here
special invitations were sent out 10 promi-
nent people, including State and city Off
cials, but this rule was departed from this
year. AS the meeting was one Of AL the
survivors Of the Confederate army who
could come. II was not thought necessary
to issue invitations, and none were pre-
pared. Tickets for the stand on the oc-
casion of the cornerstone laying were
printed, but they We're not at all generally
distributed, and very few were used. Those
on the stand were ushered up when they
arrived, without being required 10 present
cards. This applied to the visiting gene
rails and governors, as well as to home
people associated with the celebration.
THE COUNCIL INVITED.
The City Council Of Richmond was
about the only body TO which an invita-
ton was formally extended. 50 far as
the Dispatch can learn. IL was sug-
gested at a meeting " the Executive
Committee by one OF the councimenA
on that body, that inasmuch as the city
had made a liberal appropriation for the
reunion. II would be proper to invite
the members OF both branches 10 ride
in carriages IN the parade. IL does not
seem 10 have occurred 10 any Of
those present that IT was necessary
to include the Mayor, or at least no
allusiOn was made 10 the matter. Seve-
raj other city officials went In CARRIAGES
with the Council.
Major y. V Randolph. who was chief
Of staff to General Gordon. and managed
the parade. discussing this subject yes
terday. said while he regretted that
Mayor Taylor had not been invited, IL
was just one OF those oversights that
frequently happen Oh such occasions. 10
was not within his province 10 issue in
fuffnuz a. rggreffad that "A hack
had not been sent for Mayor Taylor
1t was learned last night, from another
source. that Major Randolph had yester-
day morning addressed a personal letter
TO the Mayor expressing regret for the |
oversight, and stating that he did not |
have anything 10 do with the issuance |
a. Invitations Major Randolph, when |
seen and asked about the letter said he |
had written such a note, but did not !
retain copy of IL.
TALK WITH MAYOR TAYLOR. +
Mayor Taylor, when seen yesterday. |
said that he had not intended TO discuss |
the matter, but If the news-gatherer |
wished TO know why he was not in the |
parade. the reason was that he was not |
invited.
Let me say right here" said the
Mayor. II do not consider that, per-
/ have been insuted. but that
the great city Of Richmond was, 10 say
the least, insuted. As citizen. and |
as Mayor / never more cheerfully signed
my name than when / attached IL To
The papers appropriating 5000 for this
reunion. The words Of welcome L spoke
came from my heart. The veterans of
a glorious war had been invited here and
| wanted to see them properly enter
tanned. | wished all 10 have a gocl
time, and go away with pleasant recol-
ections OF their visit to our city.
VIEWED THE PARADE.
"As / have before stated. l was not
asked 70 join IN the parade. The City
Council was invited. Thursday morning
came with my family to my Office
'ooms Uhank Heaven they could not
axe my Office from mel. We had n de-
ightful little party in here, and viewed
he procession as 1t passed by My
rlend. Ben August, Clerk Of the Council. !
.sked me TO get in the carriage with
.imself and drive with him, as the party |
,assed. 1t was very kind Of him. but. Of
curse. | had to decline. / went home
With my wife and her guests and after
inner / visited Monroe Park. where the
laying exercises We're going
n. Friends asked me why ! was not on
he stand. i told them had no invitation
here. They offered TO take me into the
tand, but it was my preference to remain
own on the ground with the boys. for l
'as there as a citizen. not as the head Of
he government OF a great city"
THE CITY SIGHTED.
In reply TO question asking II he
ould explain why he was not invited.
layor Taylor said: Let me repeat that !
do not feel that the slight is TO me. but
D the city Of Richmond. Really. l thought {
tile about the matter until friends be- {
an TO ask me for an explanation. Mr..
orman V. Randolph, the chief of stan /
,r the chief marshal. who had charge !
affairs. has not | am quite sure, had !
ny love for me since | did what / con- o
lived TO be my duty as a member Of n
he Board OF Aldermen. and fought g
ith all the vigor l possessed pro- Z
,sed appropriation for the Virginia p
gricutural and Mechanical Society. r
e has put himself 10 no trouble to speak i
me since that time, a fact which does y
,t bother me at all ! cannot, with the a
ght before me- see how the Mayor OF
edmond could have been overlooked by
,cident."