Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-05-30
1000 CITIZENS MEET TO
CONSIDER GA S PROGRESS
Governor 0gIethorpe Appears
in Periwig at Dinner in Au-
ditorium-Armory

one thousand citizens from various
parts OF the state met at a dinner Fri
day night at the auditorium for the pur-
pose OF encouraging and urging the de-
velopment OF Georgia. Gov.-elect Hoke
Smith. Governor Brown. other leading
men OF the state, and Governor ogle-
thorpe. who founded Georgia. were pres
emit 1t was really one of the most i'm
portant and significant gatherings that
has ever been held in this or any other
state In all probability II was the
largest dinner that has ever been given
in the south.
The Atlanta Chamber of Commerce pre-
pared for this conference of Georgia citi-
zens on the development of their state
and was host to the thousands that dined
at the auditorium.
The temperance OF Governor Ogle-
thorpe was a whimsical and appropriate
part of the dinner. Joe S. Davis, of Al
bany. was the medium through which
the governor was reincarnated. He ap-
peared dressed in the ruffies and periwig
OF past years and gave the gathering Of
citizens advice and commentator.
In addition to Governor Oglethorpe, ad-
dresses were made by p. A. Stovall, of
the Savannah Press; Nathaniel E. Har-
l.
Union Point. formerly attorney general.
and c. S. Barrett, president of the
Farmers union.
President Fred J. Paxon. Of the cham
Der of commerce, presided at the dinner
and introduced the speakers. The follow
ing were seated at the speakers table:
Walter C. Cooper. secretary of the
chamber of commerce; John N. Holder.
of jefferson; John NJ Slaton, w w. Orr,
State Geologist S. w. McCallie, C S.
Barrett. of Union city: Pleasant A.
Stovall. of Savannah; Nell r. Wilkinson,
J. S Davis. of Albany, alias Gen. James
Edward Oglethorpe; John E. Murphy,
Gov Joseph NJ. Brown. Frederic ].
Paxon, president of the chamber of COM
mercs; Gov.-eIect Hoke Smith. Wilmer l.
Moore. Judge John c. Hart, Harrison
NJ. Parker, V. H. Kriegshaber, Walter
McElreath. N. E. Harris, Of Macon;
Brooks Morgan. DIR. George Brown and
]. T. HoIleman.
AUDITORIUM FILLED.
The dinner was in the main auditorium
and the tables completely filed the are
ma The size of the gathering, in addi-
ton to its serious purpose was i'm
pressive. 1t was remindful of the South
ern Commercial congress. and, in a way,
was a miniature congress-
The speakers table faced the gathering
OF citizens. The other diners were
grouped 20 or so at table. The audi
torium was decorated.
After the dinner, which began shortly
after o'clock. the doors OF the main
auditorium were opened, and the club
women of Georgia took seats in the
boxes round the arena. Many men who
had not attended the dinner came to hear
the speeches.
The meeting really marked a definite
stage in Georgia's development. 1t was
the beginning, or one of the first evil
dences Of a cooperative effort by citi-
zens OF all parts of the state to de-
velOp Georgia as a whole. It probably
viii result in other meetings and GER
tainly In a continued effort to bring
citizens OF Georgia and Of other states
to realization Of the opportunities Of
fered m Georgia.
The dinner consisted of such Georgia
delicacies as fried chicken, corn bread
and butter milk The meeting consisted
In the dinner and the speeches that fol-
lowed No resolutions were passed.
The chamber of commerce conceived
and carried out the plan of a meeting
of loo citizens TO encourage the prog
ress OF Georgia. The list of those who
attended Friday nights dinner was so
arranged that IL included preachers. law
yers. doctors. editors. farmers, and men
Of all other professions. 1t represented
every part of Georgia. every industry in
Georgia, and every class in Georgia. 1t
was much as though each section and
each profession and class had appointed
a representative TO meet and discuss
Why and how their state should be de-
veloped. The state, as ii were. decided
to look into its resources. and adopt a
systematic means of progress.
GOVERNOR OGLETHORPE INTRO
DUCED.
President Paxon introduced the first
speaker. Governor Oglethorpe. In his in
PRODUCTION he said:
ssThe Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
has never stood for a purely local organ
/ ization. When the program committee
began to arrange for this dinner. It look
ed over the state and picked out fou
men, each representing one section OF
the state, who could speak for the gen
eraI development of Georgia.
Il know that most of you ladies and
gentlemen have come here to see Gov.
| ernor Oglethorpe, the founder Of this
state and it's first executive. Here. too
are Gov. ELECT Hoke Smith and Gov. Jos
eph NJ. Brown.
II take great pleasure in introducing
to you Governor Oglethorpe-not merely
an imitation. but Governor Oglethorpt
himself"
In his ruff1es and pig tail, looking a:
though he really had stepped out Of {
\ past century, the governor rose, bowed
/ and began:
1T is pleasant to note" he said. "tha.
many OF the triumphs OF mind over mat
ter have had their origin in Georgia
She can lay claim to many discoveries and
inventions that have placed humanity