The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-07-04
AN OLD TIME FOURTH OF JULY.
SAVANNAH WILL CELEBRATE THE
DAY IN THE GOOD OLD STYLE.

The Day TO BE More Generally OBJ
served Than During Any Year
since the War-Pretty Much Every
thing VIII He Closed Up and Near
Iy Everybody WIFI Go Out of
,Town-Chathams VIII Open the
Day with salute at the Parade
Ground-Mr. Rourke VIII Hold His
Usual ExerciScs-The Isle of Hope
Regatta viii Attract Large
Crowds-Special Schedules for the
Day Arranged ny Both steam and
Electric Ltues-Hussars Will Prnc-
tice at AvOndale.
Like the Democratic party, Savannah
will mark the last Fourth of July In the
nineteenth century by specially commem-
ora ting the day. In the ante-belum days
the Fourth OF July was always the chief
midsummer holiday of the South. After
the war it was neglected, but for the last
ten years its observance has been grad
ually becoming more popular until now, il
may be said to be once more re-estab-
hshed.
As evidence of this fact to-days OBJ
servance of the nations birthday prom
Uses to be more general in Savannah than
any similar observance in the memory OF
the present generation. Everybody seems
willing and anxious to observe the day
motives of personal comfort and pleasure
being the chief considerations, and it is
safe to assert that fewer people will work
and more will play to-day than for many
a month past Street railway employees
and others whose duty it is to contrib
ate to the enjoyment of the rest of the
population. will have hard day of it,
but 1t is necessary that some must WORK
In order that others may enjoy their play.
The banks exchanges and public build
ings will be closed. TIE leading business
houses will close for the entire day, as
well as many of the smaller ones, and
those who do not close for the entire day,
will take half holiday. The railroad en-
ployes at shops offices and warehouses
will get an entire holiday except those
who will be on duty for a few hours In
the freight departments TO deliver perish
able freight. The Postoffice win
observe holiday hours, and in fact
pretty much the whole town will be run
on the holiday schedule.
The Chatham Artillery will start the.
day off in the good old way. by burning
considerable amount of powder in firing
a national salute This is an old custom
of the Chathams, but one which had
been allowed to fall into neglect. 1t has
been decided to renew it and in proof of
their patriotism the Chathams will as
semble at their armory at o'clock this
morning and will proceed at once to the
parade ground where the regulation sa-
1xsa ha he old Va ebi
ton guns. The residents in the neighbor-
hood of the parade ground, whose early
morning slumbers will be disturbed by
the firing of cannon, may not altogether
appreciate this display of patriotism on
the part of the Chathams but they will
hardly make any complaint.
A little later in the day Mr.. John
Rourke will hold his annual Fourth of
July celebration. Mr.. Rourke said last
night that the programme will be the
same as on former occasions, exceps that
George Washington. the famous old
eagle will not be on hand to flap his
wings and scream 70 the plaudits Of the
crowd. Mr.. Rourke has not been able
to secure another eagle to take the place
of George, but hopes 10 do so before an
other year rolls around.
Mr.. Rourke will array himself in his
Uncle Sam costume, in which he comes
nearer to being an exact reproduction of
the national cartoon than any other man
living and will read the Declaration of
Independence to his employees. as he has
done for years past Then his cannon,
some of them trophies from the recent
Spanish war and othres from former
wars will give the national salute. The
exercises will conclude with the tapping
OF several kegs OF beer in which the en-
ployes will drink the health of Mr. Rourke
and Uncle Sam.
The city is likely to be almost depopu-
lated during the Afternoon. Large crowds
will go out of the city TO Tybee, Thunder
bolt, Isle of Hope and other resorts Spe-
cial schedules have been arranged for oil
of these places which will make them easy
of access to the crowd. The regatta at
Isle of Hope will be a big attraction end
is expected to draw large crowds. For
the people who remain in the city the
Southern Bell Telephone Company offers
an attraction in the shape of long dis
tance telephone reports from the Kansas
City Convention, and those who are spe-
cially interested may learn of Bryan's
unanimous nomination during the day,
The reports will be furnished 10 the clubs,
hotels and other places desiring them.
The Georgia Hussars will spend the
morning at the Avondale rife range. The
troop will meet at the armory at Bull and
Liberty streets at o'clock this morning
dismounted. and will take the $50 o'clock
car for the range. The shooting will be
with carbines and pistols for the company
medals. Capt. McAlpin hopes to get
through with the practice by noon in or
der that the men may be free to partici-
pate in the festivities elsewhere
Several of the labor unions have arrang-
ed for picnic at Wilmington The steam
er Santee has been engaged and will make
three trips one from the city and two
from Thunderbolt