The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-19
PRESIDENT SURE TO COME.
ANOTHER CONFERENCE CONFIRMS
HIS INTENTION.

December 10 ana l1-hayoF hei-
drIm Confers With Citizens As 10
AdvIsnbilIty of Denying Newspa-
per Reports About Councils Al
legged Refusal TO Extend Invita-
ton - Mayor MeIdrim's Telegram
to the President.
There is no longer any doubt that Presi-
dent Mckinley will visit Savannah next
month. This positive information is con-
tanned In a Washington dispatch to the
Morning News this morning and In pri-
vate te.egrams received last night
president more cordial this afternoon,
and deeply moved by petition" wired Capt
D. G. Purse Can positively expect him
10th and 18th December" Capt Purse
stated in his telegram that he will return
to Savannah tomorrow.
Now that there is no doubt about the
Presidents coming. the people are begin
ming TO consider what celebration will be
most fitting to mark the occasion. 1t
seems to be a settled fact that the busl-
ness men will unite, as indicated in the
Morning News yesterday and will con-
tribute literally to any programme that
may be decided upon. The movement for
a jubilee, which will probably be launched
within the coming week, is expected to
bring many visitors to Savannah, and give
a swift spin to business. Various opinions
are expressed In regard to the entertain
ment, but it remains for the citizens to
get together appoint the necessary com
mi 10 Gh no aft foil bao oh
up whatever is undertaken.
Much will depend in, arranging the pro-
gramme on the military situation. In the
event the Seventh Army Corps is ordered
away before the President comes to Sa-
vannah the review as a feature of the fes-
tvities win be greatly missed. Such be-
ing the case, it is possible the programme
will be curtailed, otherwise it may ex-
tend over two or three days 1t is i'm
possible In the absence of concerted action
to predict any features of the entertain
ment, but it Is certain the general inter-
est already aroused will be such as to re-
fleet credit on the city.
One suggestion that one day be given to
a review of the fire, police and other city
departments, has been heartily seconded
the city could make in this way, without
either trouble or expense, it is believed it
could be made one of the most interesting
spectacles of the event. THE departments
are all in excellent trim" said a city Off
cial yesterday, land it seems to me emf
nently proper that a display by them
should be a feature of one day. There
would be very little difficulty In arranging
it, and as demonstrations of this character
fai 10 f.Ia i'll IA
a novel and appropriate feature"
Mayor Meldrim is considerably exercised
about the reports which have gone out as
to the feeling of the City Council in regard
to inviting the President. The reports have
found their way to a number of newspa-
pers in the larger cities, and as their eff
feet is to put the city in an unenviable
position in the eyes of the outside world,
which probably credits the report to some
extent for the reason ii has not been Off
clally denied. Mayor MeldrIm does NOT
express himself as to the views of the
aldermen, who may not feel inclined to
invite the President, but he denies posi-
lively that Council took any official ac-
ton.
With a view to discussing the advisa-
bility of officially denying the report, May
or Meldrim invited number of prominent
citizens to confer with him at the May
afternoon. Those present were Col. John
Scroyen, Mr.. H. NJ. Conner, Capt. John
Flannery Col J. II. Estill, Mr.. H. T.
Williams, MIR. p. A. Stovan, Mr.. James
NJ. Dixon. Mr.. B. H. Levy, Mr. E. A.
Well. Aldermen Charlton, Owens and
Krouskoff, City Attorney Adams and 9TH
ers.
Col. Screven was one of the committee
who called on President Mckinley to ex-
10 10
vlted TO give an account of his visit, and
in doing so, told of the manner in which
the committee was received. President
Mckinley said he would be delighted to
come to Savannah, and did not hesitate in
accepting the invitation. Since the com
miitee has successfully performed its mis-
sion, Col. Screven thought 1t the proper
thing for the people to prepare for the
Presidents visit
There was an informal talk by the com
mittee over the reports that have gone
abroad in regard to the al
legged refusal of the Council
to invite the President, and while
some seemed TO think it not worth while
to deny them, for the reason they would
probably not be seen by the President. and,
if so, probably not believed, there were
others who strongly urged the Mayor to
send out an official denial. This was to so
sured that the reported action was not
taken. and that he would be welcomed to
gavaunah by the whole city
AS the committee was only called to
advise with the Mayor, no action was
taken. 1t is understood, however, ma
jority favored either denying the re-
ports through the newspapers, or tele
graphing the President of the warm re-
ception he might expect Mayor Meldrim
sent last night the following telegram TO
President Mckinley, which is in accord
with the expressed views of a majority of
the committee:
Hon. William Mckinley. President of
the United State, Washington, d. c.:
The newspaper rumors in reference to ac-
ton of Council touching your visit to this
city. are incorrect. Yourself, your cabi-
net and families, will be cordially well
coined by all classes of our citizens
"P. w. Meldrm, Mayor"
THE CORPS TEAM CAPTAIN