The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-31


 Jackson, Miss, May S0-Among those officially invited by Governor Noel, chair man of the battleship commission, to witness the presentation of the silver service at Horn Island pass on June 1 were the governors of all the states. Of course 1t was not expected that all of sthe governors would or could come, but 1t was hoped that those nearby would be present. However, only one has ac- cepted, that being Gov. J. Y Sanders of Louisiana, who writes as follows:
 My Dear Governor:-I have made ar engagements dor the United States steam ship Alvarado to be present at the silver service presentation at Horn Island on June 1. I have also decided to come on the Alvarado and bring with me a few of my staff, and a few of the state officials. Including the officers of the naval reserve, there will probably be some IS or 20 in our party.
 We will leave New Orleans at o'clock on the morning of May 31, and will go direct to Horn Island, where I will have the pleasure of seeing you.
 T will appreciate it if, immediately upon receipt of this. you wire me the necessary permission to enter Mississippi waters
 From among the letters from those who sent their regrets the following from Gov Judson Harmon of Ohio is of in- terest:
 My dear Governor:1I am very sorry you sent me the invitation to witness the presentation of the silver service to the Mississippi on June 1, because, as I cannot go, 1t makes me unhappy. When ever l have gone south I have had such a cordial reception and have been made to feel so glad I went that I hate to miss chance to go again, but my public duties here are such that it is impossible for me to go so far away this spring, so I can only thank you for your kind re- membrance and express my good wishes for the occasion.''
 The letters from the governors of the several states will be preserved along with other records of the commission that had charge of the raising of funds for the purchase and preparing for the pre- sentation of the silver service to the great battleship that bears the name of the state.
 Governor Noel has inspected the silver service which is to be presented to the battleship Mississippi and promptly rat flied Mrs. Lockwood's approval of same on the occasion of her visit to the es- tablishment of the contractors at Phila- delphia two weeks since, and later on the governor drew a check on the Merchants Bank and Trust company in favor of Caldwell & Co.,, for $72O0 and forwarded same by first mail
 The governor declares the service is all that it should be--all that could have been expected for the money, and con- siders that the state has received its moneys worth. That is the opinion of nearly every person who has inspected the service and there have been thou sands to see 1t.
 In this connection it is Interesting to note that Mrs. Eunice Lockwood, the representative of the silver service com- mission who toured the state for funds, has never received one cent for her serv- ices. Fortunately. she was able to pay her own way and she did so declining to accept one cent till the service was purchased and paid for. Her travelling expenses, stationery, printing, telegrams, telephones etc, remain unpaid but sim ply because she would not accept the offer of the commission until all other expenses were paid-and even now she will not accept anything in the way of recompense or reward for her services. There is. however, sufficient on hand to settle all claims, it is said.
 Quite party will accompany Governor Noel to the coast Monday, Mrs. Lock- wood being Of the number and 1t is great tribute to her energy and pa- triotism in making the silver service pos sible that she is to make the presenta- ton speech on the battleship at 10:3O a. m. June 1. Another distinguished lady member of the governors party will be Mrs. Daisy McLaurin Stevens of Brandon. president of the United Daughters of the Confederacy of the state.
 The silver service was boxed up yes- terday and shipped to Scranton. where 1t Is to be placed on exhibition-provided 1t ever gets there. The intention had been to ship the service south over the Gulf and Ship Island, but that road be- ing under water and traffic suspended, it became necessary to route 1t over the Illinois Central via New Orleans, and 1t is supposed it will reach Scranton about as advertised