The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-23
LYONS MAY YET GET LEFT.
REPRESENTATIVE FLEMING Ar
PEALs TO THE PRESIDENT.

lie Exchanges the Grip of the Sigma
Alpha Epsilon Society with Him.
The President Notified That the
White Ladies' Now Employed I'M
the Augusta PostofRce WIN Resign
II Lyons Is ApPOinted-The Presi-
dent Admits Tint He Is In n Di-
Iemmn.
Washington, April Representative
Fleming visited the white house to-day
and pleaded with President Mckinley not
to appoint Judson Lyons postmaster at
Augusta. Mr.. Fleming said he had no in
tention of forcing his advice upon the
present administration or attempting to
influence the distribution OF the federal
patronage in Georgia. He reminded the
President that Augusta Is his (Fleming'sl
home pQstofIlce, and the patrons of that
office earnestly and respectfully protest
against the selection of a colored man to
preside over that office. The President
replied that he is greatly troubled over
the Augusta case. and has not fully de-
cided what course to pursue without
committing himself to Lyons, the Presl-
dent intimated that he is backed by in-
fiuence that Is difficult to ignore.
Mr.. Fleming said he appreciated the
circumstances surrounding the Lyons
case, and is familiar with the political
conditions urged IN support Of Lyons Re-
alizing that Lyons has earned political
recognition, Mr. Fleming suggested that
he be provided for In some otheH capacity,
en- tlof .
sided over by white man. Mr. fleming
said there are several white ladies employ
ed In the Augusta office, who would be
compelled to resign their much-needed po-
sitons because they cannot bring them
selves to serve under a colored superior
officer
This suggestion seemed to make a strong
impression upon the President and he
asked MIR. Fleming If he really believed
the ladies' referred to would resign il
Lyons is appointed. MIR. Fleming replied
that he was certain that such action would
follow in view of the sentiment prevailing
in Augusta.
MIR. Fleming recalled the Presidents vis-
It to Georgia several years ago, and stated
that he was authorized by a number of
Sigma Alpha Epsilon men IN Georgia to
exchange the grip Of that fraternity and
extend their cordial greetings to the Pres
ident. Mr.. Fleming and the President ex-
changed the mystic sign Of the Sigma.
Alpha Epsilon, and drifted away from the
subject of the Augusta postoffice contro-
versy TO a discussion of college fraterni-
~ matters Mr.. Fleming Informed the
President that there are Sigma, Alpha Ep-
silon chapters at Savannah, Atlanta.
Athens, Macon, Emory and Augusta.
Just what course the President intends
to pursue IN view Of the conversation he
had this morning with Mr. Fleming Is a
matter OF conjecture. The President UNDER
stands that he owes his nomination at ST.
Louis TO the timely action of the Georgia
delegation under the direction and guid-
ance OF Col Buck aud Judson Lyons The
colored republicans of Georgia are maxi
ing test case Of the Lyons matter, and
they insist that they shall know Just what
they are to expect at the hands OF ths
administration they helped to create
Col. Buck has been appealed to by the
opponents of Lyons. but he says the mat
ter has passed beyond his Jurisdiction He
says he has tried 70 have Mr.. Stallings APP
pointed al Augusta, because he Is one Of
the few white republicans who had the
courage to stand up and make the fight
against the democratic hosts. The organi-
cation, however, oyerruled him and in
sisted upon making an Issue on Lyons,
hence he bowed to the will of the party
organization