The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-17
M'KINLEY WILL BE WELCOME.
CITIZENS SECOND BOARD OF
TRADES INVITATION.

ment I'm Washington Papers Con-
corning City Councils Action.
Why the Invitation TO the Presi-
dent Did not Come From the Coun-
ciI-The Mayor Waited for Gen.
Lees Return Before Calling a Cfti-
zens' Meeting-Savannahi Flat
ed over the Presidents Promised
| Visit.
President Purse of the Board OF Trade,
who is still in Washington, having
succeeded, with others, in securing
President McKinley's acceptance of their
invitation to visit Savannah. to review the
Seventh Army Corps, telegraphed yester-
day that Savannah dispatches in Wash
ington papers. stated that the City Council
had refused to invite the President here.
Fearing the report might influence the
President TO change his mind, Capt. Purse
wired asking that petition be circulated
the President to come.
When seen about the matter, Mayor Mel
drlm expressed some surprise. He said he
thought the Invitation to the President
should properly proceed from the citizens
generally.
Council is a business corporation, and
has no right to make an appropriation
for any demonstration" said May
or Neldrim. Had Gen. Lees
invitation reached the Presi-
dent first, and been accepted, a citizens
meeting would have been called for the
purpose of extending the invitation. Coun-
Gil is not the proper body TO take this in
hand"
Mayor Meldrlm explained that when the
matter of inviting the President was first
considered. Gen. Lee was in Richmond.
Through courtesy to him 1t was decided
10 take no steps until he returned.
AS soon as he returned Gen. Lee
at the same time informed Mayor Meldrim
of the fact.
1T was my intention to call a citizens
meeting as soon as Gen. Lees invitation
was accepted" said Mayor Meldrim, for
the purpose of sending an invitation from
the whole city. The delay was out of
courtesy 20 Gen. Lee"
Vice President James NJ Dixon of the
Board of Trade, took prompt action upon
the receipt of Capt. Purses telegram.
He telegraphed President Purse that the
citizens of Savannah are anxious for the
President to come
Mr. Dixon at once set to work to get
the proper backing for the action of the
committee of the Board of Trade in ex-
tending the invitation to the President.
Last night he telegraphed Capt. Purse
that he had approval of the action of the
committee signed by over seventy
business firms and prominent citi-
gems with as many more in prospect who
can be reached by noon to-day. Impress
| upon the President that he win be heartily
welcomed and royalty entertained" said
Mr.. Dixon. Insist upon his acceptance"
AS soon as the situation was understood
| here a paper was prepared by Mr.. A. L.
Stokes, secretary of the freight bureau
with whom Capt. Purse was in cores
pondenee during the day, under the di-
rection Of Mr.. Dixon, setting forth the
real sentiments of the business men and
leading citizens of Savannah in this mat
ter. The paper was put in circulation at
Gncee and was rapidly signed by leading
business men and prominent citizens gen.
orally. 1t is brief but to the point, as fol-
| lows:
other citizens of Savannah, beg, hereby,
to confirm our hearty approval of, and CO.
operation in, The action of the Savannah
Board OF Trade in appointing a committee
| of three, TO wit, President d. G. Purse, on
| the part Of the Board of Trade, and ex-
| Mayors John ScIeven and Herman Myers,
! on the part of the merchants and citizens
of Savannah not members of the Board of
| Trade, to proceed to Washington and pre-
! -, > H. ID.se-
| ident of the United States, his cabinet and
his and their families to visit the city of
! Savannah, as the guests, on the occasion
| of the Board of Trade and the merchants
and citizens of Savannah generally, and
review the Seventh Army Corps, now en-
camped here, before their departure for
| the island Of Cuba
| The list of signers last night to the
above numbered eighty-three, including
practically al of the leading business
houses and many prominent citizens Many
| who could not be gotten at will be given
an opportunity to sign this morning, and
the list will be forwarded to Capt Purse
| al Washington by the noon mail. Capt
| Purse will remain in Washington to pre-
sent the petition to the President and as
sure of the real sentiments of the people
| of Savannah on the subject of his visit.
| The following resolutions were adopted
to consider the advisability of inviting the
| President TO visit Savannah:
Responding TO the general sentiment of
the community, and in accordance with
the unanimous wish of its own member
| ship, be 1t
Resolved, by the board of directors of
the Savannah Board of Trade, That our
| president be directed, as the unanimous
action of this board. to extend an invita-
ton to the President of the United States
| and the members of his cabinet and his
and their families to visit the city of Sa-
vannah and review the Seventh Army
Corps now eneamped here under the com
mand of Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, as the
guests, on the occasion, of the Savannah
Board of Trade and the merchants and
citizens of Savannah generally; and, sec
ondly,
Resolved. That President Purse. on the
part of this board, and ex-Mayors John
Screven and Herman Myers, on the part
of the merchants and citizens not mem
bers OF the Board of Trade, be requested