The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-16
MAY LEAD TO LEGISLATION
1uING MEMORIAL AND DECORA-
TION DAYS TOGETHER.

Presidents Fraternal Suggestion
wov Bring Forth a Bill for Nation
nj Aid in Caring for Southern
heroes Graves - Congressman
warmly Applaud McKinIey's At
7outa Speech-BrantIcy Tempers
Ills Approval with Criticism of 1"
Negro Appointment.
washington. Dec. 15.-Southern con-
oressmen with one accord commend in
t1e most friendly terms the suggestion
-,,do bv the President at Atlanta yester-
5av relative to national aid in caring for
tho graves of the Southern heroes who
oave ND their lives in the war between
the states.
II is probable that bill to carry out the
Presidents suggestion will be introduced
in the House at an early day. 1t is gener-
ellv conceded that such measure should
emanate from the Republican side of the
11ouse. It Is also proposed to amend the
oct which designates the S0th of May as
the national Decoration day, so that Union
and Confederate graves may be strewn
with flowers, accompanied by appropriate
ceremonies, on the same day.
Georgia and South Carolina congress
men were especially friendly in alluding
to what they termed a magnanimous act
on the part of the President. Judge Mad
dox remarked, with a display of enthusi-
asm not often indulged in by him:
president Mckinley is the best Repub-
Ucan l know. 1t was a gracious act on
his part. and 1 am not surprised that the
sentiments he expressed in Atlanta yester-
day touched the hearts of the Southerh
people. l can well understand the military
natriotism which fills the President and
he was exceedingly happy in selecting the
right time and place to give voice TO such
expressions as he gave utterance to.
Col. Lester applauded the Presidents ac-
ton by saying:
president Mckinley has such nice
way of doing nice things, that l am not
surprised at the sentiments he expressed
yesterday concerning the Confederate
dead"
Col Livingston, Representatives Tate,
Bartlett, Griggs, Lewis, Brantley and
Fleming. also Senators Bacon and Clay,
expressed their warm approval of the sug-
eeston made by the President. Repre-
sentative Brantley, however. tempered his
words of praise of the Presidents magma
nimlty, by recalling the fact that to-day
in the list of presidential nominations sent
to the Senate was the name of B. Coffee,
to be collector of customs at St. Mary S,
in Camden county, Georgia. Coffee is q
colored politician, and his complexion is
appropriate to his name. A fellow men,
ber suggested that while the. President
was looking after the interests of the Con-
federate dead, he might have some re-
gard for the feelings of the living.
Representatives Stokes of South Carolina
said:
IN my opinion, the speech Of President
Mckinley at Atlanta yesterday was one
which thoroughly proves TO the people OF
the South the good will and fellowship
of our brothers in the North. 1 think II
was a very appropriate thing for the oc-
casion, and that it will be highly COM
mended by the people throughout the
Southern states.
IF this matter be brought to the notice
of the House for approval and an appro-
priation, as it most assuredly will, it will
undoubtedly be done by a member from
the North, either a Republican or Demo
crat, though it would be preferable for a
Republican to propose the matter, Re
publican President having been the origi-
nator and introducer of it. For the same
reason he should be a member from the
North, and it would be especially appro-
pirate if this member were an old sol
der. 1 for one win give my hearty con-
sideration and help to the matter, and
do not think that the patriotic sons and
daughters of the South viii be far be-
hind"