The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-19
CLASH OVER CELEBRATION.
THE TWO ATLANTA LEE SOCIETIES
ARE WIDE APART.

Trouble started with RivnI Re
quests for the Use of the Hall OF
v the House of RepresentatiVes-Th e
~ II. r. Lee society Got Its Request
in First-Maj. Otey of Virginia
VIII Address the Virginia society
in the Grand Opera House.
Atlanta. Jan. lS.-There is a pretty warm
clash between the Virginia Society and
the r.. E. Lee order of this city in the
celebration of Gen. Lees birthday to-mor-
row.
The fight began during the last session
of the Legislature, when there were pre-
scented rival requests for the use OF the
han of the House Of Representatives on
the occasion of Gen. Lees birthday. 1t
appears that the two societies started
out in the friendliest manner possible %
celebrate the day. but it soon developed
that neither was content 20 share the
honors equally, and each demanded prece-
dence over the other. ana failing to agree
determined to have two separate celebra-
lions.
The r e Lee order stole a march on
the Virginia Society and had Mr.. Slaton
TO introduce a resolution in the House ten
derng the use of the han 10 that order
on the occasion of the Gen. Lees ami
Versary, which was promptly passed.
The next day Representative Brandon
introduced a resolution rendering the hall
TO the Virginia society. which was as
promptly passed. Illustrating how utterly
inattentve the members usually are
20 the business transacted, and the
dav following the House had to rescind
its action in the latter instance, when It's
attention was directed to the conflict OF
tenders.
Both societies have prepared very elab-
crate programmes for tomorrow s eXer-
eises. the Virginia Society having secured
the Grand Opera House for its celebration
tomorrow night. the festivities to END
with a banquet, while the r. r. Lee order
will celebrate tomorrow morning at the
state capitol.
Mai. Otey of Virginia will deliver the
address to the Virginia Society and capt
w. D. Ellis of Atlanta TO the k. Il. Lee
order.
The distinction made between the two
societies il is said, in the Observance OF
the day is that the former pays tribute
10 the Southern chieftain more as a as
tinguished citizen of the state than as
martial hero, while the latter order en-
phasize his military Tenown. This distinc-
lion is said to have arisen from the fact
that the membership of the X. Il. Lee or
der is not confined to Nirginians, but re
stricted only to those who can trace their
lineage back to those enlisted in the Con-
federate service. while the Virginia So
ciety embraces lineal descendants from
both civic and military sons of the state,
the only requirement being that they must
be native born Nirginians.
To-day at the Capitol.
The Governor issued no formal order
closing the capitol tomorrow, leaving it
discretionary with the heads of the differ
ent departments to close or keep open as
they see fit The Governor said tonight
that the capitol would be kept open, but
did not give any intimation whether he
would be at the executive office or not.
He did say that any official act he might
perform would be legal, no doubt relying
on the decision of the Supreme Court that
Sunday is the only dies non in the strict
contemplation of the law. The Governor
gave it as his opinion that more than half
of the banks would be kept open in Geor-
ga tomorrow.
I Notwithstanding the absence of for
NAL order from the Governor to close their
several departments, the heads of the de-
partments will close then, anyway. In
fact, some of the state officials left the
city this afternoon and others announc-
ed that they would close their offices, and
no business of a public nature will be
transacted, unless by the Governor, which
will hardly be probable unless an emery
ency arises.
The capitol scrubbing brigade has been
instructed, it is said. to report for duty
tomorrow and will continue its work
though no holiday was being observed.
On other holidays it has been customary
for an executive order to be issued clos
ing the capitol.