The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-21

ThomasVille, Ca, Marcn lo.-InorndS-
willie for the first time since the presi-
dents visit was rife with political gos-
sip today. Jekyl island, speculation
ran, was to be the scene of an impor-
tant political gathering where the fu-
ture course of the republican party
would be gone over and settled, far
from the public and the press, and
shielded from intrusion by strict en-
forcement of the mo trespassing' reg
ulations of the rich club which con-
trolls it's destines. The sudden appear
ance Of Speaker Reed at Jekyl island,
the authoritative announcement that
President Mckinley, Vice President
Hobart and Senator Hanna would make
their trip there on Monday and the visit
of Judge Day, formerly secretary of
state, to Thomasville, though absolute
Iy mere condolences, according to
those gentlemen named, who are here,
revived at once recollectiOns of the
important part in national history born
of the Thomasville conferences four
years ago. The conferences now, said
the gossip, were to be transferred to
Jekyl island. The scene chosen was
suggestive of the times when kings
met ON craft in mid-stream to settle
the destinies of empires.
1t is fair to say at the outset that
Senator Hanna, Vice President Hobart
and President Mckinley himself say
positively that there is no politics
whatever in their present visit south
and that it is undertaken solely for rest
and recuperation. AS to Speaker
Reeds presence at Jekyl, both Senator
Hanna and Vice President Hobart said
\
there until they saw the papers. The
latter, before the arrival of the papers,
was so positive the speaker was not
to be at Jekyl island, that when a news
paper man told him Mr.. Reed was to
be there he promptly bet him suit
of clothes that Speaker Reed was not
at Jekyl and would not be at Jekyl is
land. The news, it was evident, was
also surprising to others in the presi
dents party, Who ordinarily would
have heard of it had there been any
anticipatOry comment about the house
on the subject.
AS regards Judge Day, he is not going
to Jekyl and probably will be out of
Thomasville on the way home by the
time the president returns. There is,
nevertheless, a possibility that the Jekyl
island trip, though not so intended per-
haps by it's principals, may have an i'm
portant political bearing. 1t may prove
to be the reconciliation ground of Pres
ident Mckinley and Speaker Reed.
That their relations are strained and de-
velopment of party policy in legisla-
ton. hindered thereby, is a matter of
common report.
Judge Moore, whose guest Speaker
Reed is, and Cornelius N. Bliss, who
asked President Mckinley and party to
visit him, are common friends of all
parties personally and politically and
through them harmonious fellowship
may again prevail between the two
foremost republicans.
If the Jekyl island trip has any polit-
ical outcome it will be this. Should
this consummatlon come it is quite
likely that neither the speaker nor the
president would haYe been privy to it's
inception, for knowledge by them Of
such an ulterior hope by their hosts
would have prevented it's accomplish
ment. This view is entirely consistent
with the statements of the principal
persons who will be there, for they de-
clare absolutely that politics cut no
figure in the trip and their denials were
in no sense technical, but broad and
comprehensive.
Judge Day arrived in Thomasville at
2:40 o'clock this afternoon. He went at
once to the Piney Woods hotel and he
and Mrs. Day being tired retired for
an hour or so. His cheeks were tanned
and he seemed to have gained a little
flesh.
Late in the afternoon to an Asso-
ciated Press correspondent he said:
I'VE are working our way north from
Palm Beach and, hearing that Thorn
asville was fine place we decided to
stop here and pay our respects to the
president. H>wanted to see him, and
Mrs. Day wanted to see Mrs. Mckinley
Yes, you will be safe in saying positive
ly that neither politics or international
affairs are in any way connected with
our visit. We are only here to pay our
respects to the president and enjoy
ourselves.
Judge Day said that he was not going
to Jekyl island and would leave here
for the north the early part of next
week
Senator Hanna had learned of his ar
rival and called as the Associated Press
correspondent was talking to Judge
Day.
The senator when told of the reports
that there was to be a big political
pow-wow at Jekyl island with Speaker
Reed and others said: 1T is silly buSi-
ness talking about political confer
ences on this trip. 1t is for rest and
nothing else. l wish they would let
up talking about politics being in it.
The vice president had the grip and
is run down and / mean to keep him
here as long as 1 stay. Mr.. Mckinley s
nerves We're worn out with the strain.
He needed to brace up. These drives
about here and the quiet life are just
building him right up. You see how
much better he is No, no, no. the trip
to Jekyl island has nothing to do with
I politics. We would not come way down
here to talk politics. Yes. I see Speak
er Reed is at Jekyl, but is has nothing
to do with our trip"