The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-23
CITIZENS CLUBS BIG RALLY.
1T TURNED OUT WITH TORCHES,
BRASS BANDS AND RED LIGHTS.


Mayor Myers .Spcech-The Torch
light Parade After the Speeches.
Last night was a Citizens Club night.
The Citizens had full swing and nobody
disputed their right of way. After hold
ing the largest meeting at odd Fellows
han which the club has had since the
campaign began, the club, with its col
ored allies Of the Citizens League paraded
the principal streets for an hour and a
half.
A spectator not accustomed to guaging
crowds would have said there were thous-
ands in line. Including everything,
voters and non-voters, men and boys, the
actual number in line was in the neigh
borhood of 1900. There were fully 1000
white men at the meeting and of this num-
Der between GOO and 500 men joined in the
parade. There were evidently more ne
groes in line than white men. As there
are only about 1,10O registered negro vot-
ers it would look as if the Citizens Club
had captured the whole business. AS a
large percentage of those in line were I'M
der age, however, and as many more were
undoubtedly non-voters it is fair to esti-
mate that towards half the number Of
registered colored voters were in line.
The Citizens Club leaders were jubilant
over the showing made by the parade and
asserted that it would have a big effect
upon the wavering voters, and especially
those who were inclined their way, but
have hesitated to declare themselves.
AS features of the night the meeting and
the parade were rivals. BY o'clock all
the seats were taken and many people
were standing up. When the meeting be-
gan. half an hour later, standing room
was at a premium, and many people
were waiting on the outside.
President Cam made his way to the
stage with difficulty. He was enthusiast
ticauy received When he arose to call
the meeting to order a few minutes later
it was before the largest crowd which he
had addressed since his election as presi-
dent.
Mayor Myers reached the stage amidst
the widest kind of a demonstration This
was followed by cheers for the aldeTmanic
candidates, who followed Mayor Myers.
There were no seats to be had for the al
dermen at first, and they had to squeeze
in around the stage.
dent Cam requested the crowd to be quiet
in order that those in the supper room
and 1.-THE $500 voters outside could hear
what was said by the speakers. He then
introduced Mayor Myers as 'the next
mayor of Savannah"
Mayor Myers had prepared his address,
and read 1t from manuscript. He said he
was not unmindful of the honor conferred
in nominating him for a second term as
mayor. mo one can appreciate more than
], he said, 1.-The trust and confidence you
have displayed in making me your stand
ard bearer for the second time. With the
support OF all lovers of an honest and pro-
gressive government for Savannah. l have
no fear but that the American flag, our
standard, will wave victorious on next
Tuesday night"
Mayor Myers said that he had hoped to
be permitted to retire to the ranks at the
close of his term. He understood full well
the responsibility of the position, the i'm
portance of it's duties and the labor entitled
for proper performance of these duties.
Had you selected some other man TO
lead you" said he, Il would have given
him my heartiest support. / am for good
government and not for the individual
The welfare of the people rises superior to
the ambition or desires of any man, But,
i am not indifferent to the wishes of my
friends, and the many who have stood by
a more progressive, for a more business
like administration of the citys affairs. 1
cannot be Indifferent to their wishes and
true to myself. / deem it my duty to dc-
cept your nomination. If for no other rea-
son than to defend the reform policies in
augurated by this administration. Those
policies have been for the interests of
Savannah; for its advancement in busi-
ness; for its up-building along all lines
The interests of our citizens demand that
those policies should be continued Public
improvements, progress, and prosperity,
all depend upon their continuance.
I'm my letter of acceptance of your NOM
ination for mayor two years ago, l made
certain promises / feel sure that you, and
all honorable opponents VIII do me the JUS
tice to say, that during my term of office,
! have faithfully striven to execute and
carry into effect every measure then ad-
vocated by me- ] have had no reason to
change my views since that time. l can,
therefore, only reiterate the promises then
made, and pledge myself, that If my fell
low citizens again honor me by reelection,
TO use every endeavor TO carry out the POI
icies and recommendations set forth in
my recent annual address to the city coun-
ell. 1t will be my purpose not only to do
that, but to inaugurate such other reforms
and measures as the efficient board of al
dermen associated with me may deem for
the best interests of all people of this city.
Il wish il to be distinctly understood
that IL reelected l would not be a par
tisan executive, and every individual will
receive impartial and courteous consider
alton. / cannot refrain from expressing
my sincere regrets that there should be
two political factions in our city. / have
used my utmost endeavors TO conciliate
and remove these differences, but have
not met with the success ! had hoped for
j feel that those differences are injurious
10 our progress and prosperity. What
do they consist OF when you throw the
search light of truth upon them? Tn,
Liberal or Tammany faction are opposed
10 the commissions, but have yet TO SEE
in print, or hear from their orators, on'
word of explanation of their position
except that they object to the personne
of these commissionS. In appointing th'
commissioners, / consulted a number o
citizens as well as the board of alder
men, it being my desire to appoint mer
from all classes OF citizens, making then
representative bodies. / sought to appoin
gentlemen who would give their time
and who had the qualifications to re
spectively fiji these positions. l leave /
10 every intelligent man to judge by tn
work accomplished during the first year.
existence Of these commissions, whethe