The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-23
LYoEums PROSPECTS DOUBTFUL.
An Effort to BE Made This Week to
Organize.


Organize.
Considerable difficulty is being found
In getting up the necessary number Of
subscriptions for the Savannah Lyceum,
and 1t is doubtful whether the board Of
managers will undertake its conduct this
year. The managers want to see their
way clear to making it a complete sue
cess, and II they cannot, they do not in
tend going into 1t at all.
AT Meeting of the board some time
ago 1t was decided to have a number Of
circulars printed TO be mailed to last
years subscribers, and any whom the
secretary, Mr.. H. w. Johnson, might re-
gard as likely to become subscribers.
These circulars conveyed information Of
just exactly what the board intended to
do and requested that the recipients notify
the secretary If they desired to subscribe.
number of responses were received,
but nothing like as many as are necessary.
IL go names could be secured as sub
scribers, there would be no difficulty in
carrying on the lyceum as last year. The
same number and class OF lectures and
other entertainments could be given and
the cost would be the same, So for the
season, with the tickets admitting two.
This is the plan that seems in a fair way
to fall through on account Of insufficient
display of interest by those TO whom the
circulars were mailed. A personal can
vass might secure more subscribers, but
the managers do not feel inclined TO. make
it, as they get nothing more than an or
binary subscriber from the lyceum. Notn-
ing Is made by anybody in it. The officers
do the work, but they do it merely on ac-
count of the interest they feel in secur-
ing good course Of lectures, musicales
and other means Of educational pleasure
for the subscribers. They would like per-
sonally to see a Lyceum maintained in
the city, but they have no other motive
to induce them TO work for 1t.
Mr.. Hugh c. Middleton, secretary ard
treasurer of the Southern Lyceum As
sociation. whose headquarters are Au
susta, was in the city yesterday talking
Lyceum to number of those interested
in the matter here. He is
anxious to see Savannah remain
on the list of cities that the Southern As
ISOLATION can furnish lecturers. Mr.. Mid
dleton is an enthusiast in lyceum work
ahG nc thinks Savannah made too good a
show last year for interest TO die out so
soon. He wants to see Il continue, and ne
spent some time with Mr.. Johnson in the
discussion of plan he thinks will have
the effect of renewing Interest. This is to
increase the number of lectures and other
attractions to ten, though without any
additional individual cost to subscribers.
To do so will cost more, but the addi-
tional funds are TO be raised by getting
an even larger number Of subscribers. 1t
is figured out that $50 VIII be necessary at
s. ticket, each ticket being good for two
persons, in order to make the lyceum a
success. As there are to be ten attractions,
this would mean that the cost of seeing
each would be % cents.
IL is further proposed to secure the the
ater for the attractions. 1t has been as
certained that this can be done, and that at
a cost far below what has formerly been
demanded The leaders in the movement
think having the lectures at the theater
win be an advantage and that 1t will
cause many more to subscribe. The idea
is to reserve all the first floor of the build
ing and three rows of seats in The balcony
for the holders of tickets. Those buying
tickets at the door could only get seats less
desirable
If the plan considered by Mr.. johnson
and Mr.. Middleton is adopted and the Ly-
ceum becomes an assured thing, the sea-
son, according 10 programme that has
been suggested win open Nov. u, with Dr.
ID. j. Stafford on Hamlet" Other attrac-
tions that can be secured and that are
spoken of in the event the board of man
ayers see their way clear to undertaking
the work, are Prof ]. b. Denote, with
his lecture, Harp of the Senses; N. d.
Hills, "Ruskin"; Prof. Edwin S. Morse,
"Glimpses of Insect Life" Russell H. Con-
neil, Acres of Diamonds" Leland T.
Powers; Schalci Company, Fadetts Wo-
mans Orchestra, f. r. Robson, 1.-THE
Philippines" and DR.. George c. Lorimer,
THE French Revolution" the last number
being on April Z. Messrs. johnson and Mid
dleton regard this as one of the best
courses that could be secured, and they
think it one that would please Savannah
subscribers.
A meeting Of the board of managers will
be held tomorrow afternoon at Chatham
Academy for the consideration of this plan
and it win probably then be decided wheth-
er or not 1t VIII be worth while to continue
the effort TO secure a Lyceum course this
year. Subscribers can secure tickets by
applying 10 the secretary.