Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-27
MILITIA PROTECTS
SLATON AT CAPITOL
Crowd Surges In as Former Gov
ernor Is Leaving and Has
to Be Held Back.
HOME GUARDED BY TROOPS
In Address at Dinner to Sue
cessor, Defends Action
in Frank Case.


or artillery. fully equipped: a battery
or Infantry, and troop OF cavalry
stood guard tonight at the country
home OF John NJ. Slaton, who retired
at noon to-day from the office OF Gov
ernor OF Georgia. All was quiet dur
Ing the early evening, and there
seemed to be no indications OF further
demonstrations tonight by persons
who disapproved the former Governors
action in committing the death SEN
tence OF Leo NJ. Frank
Downtown. where the streets were
patrolled by a double watch of police.
conditions seemed TO be normal, the
usual Saturday night crowd being
swelled only by few inauguration
visitors still in the city. All tho near
beer saloons remained closed by police
orders throughout tho day and even
Ing. and every precaution was taken
to prevent trouble.
The former Governor spent the even
ing quietly at home with his family.
He said that he and his wife had
planned some time ago to leave this
evening on a long vacation trip to the
California exposition. but that he would
not leave under fire. and had postponed
his departure until next week
No further arrests had been made
by National Guardsmen in the vicinity
or the Slaton home. The twenty-sIs
men taken into custody early to-day
some OF whom are alleged TO have had
nrearms and explosives in their posses
sion. were still detained at the county
jail tonight under orders OF the ad-
5utant-gencral
The patrol at the Slaton home will
not be withdrawn. It was said tonight
as long as Adjutant General Nash re-
garded the presence Of Euardsrcn
there as necessary.
REFERS TO FRANK CASE IN
LUNCHEON TO SUCCESSOR
AT luncheon given this evening b..
the Rotary Club OF Macon, in honor of
Georgia's new Governor, Nat Harris.
inaugurated to-day, John NJ Slaton.
the retiring Governor. referred to the
case Of Leo NJ. Frank. his action in
which evoked hostile demonstration
against him in the closing days of his
administration.
Honcst people may disagree with
rne. an honest man." said the former
Governor. but we realize that We must
be measured by our conscience Two
thousand years ago another Governor
washed his hands OF a case, and turned
over Jew to a mob. For two thous-
and years that Governors name has
been aocursed. II to-day another Jew
were lying In his grave because I had
Tailed to do my duty, I would all
through life find his blood on my hands,
and would consider myself an assassin
through cowardice"
Governor Slaton indicated that he
intended going away next week for
an extended vacation
Those demonstrations n few days
ago do not represent the sentiment OF
Atlanta. Fulton County. or the State
OF Georgia" he added. and while on
my vacation TO no one will 1 say
aught except in exaltation of tho
State In public life we must be pre-
pared TO make any sacrifice in the full
hllment OF our duty"
No reference to the Frank case was
made by Governor Harris In the speech
OF thanks he made to his fellow -cItizens
or Macon He expressed hope, how
ever. that we Will have no more
trouble"
SEVERAL TENSE MOMENTS
DURING CEREMONIES
During inaugural ceremonies at the
Capitol there were several tense mo-
ments. When Governor Slaton ap-
into his hands the grand seal of the
State, a few Kisses were heard from
the crowded gallery. President G..
Ogden Persons. of the State Senate.
raped sharply with MS gavel The
Kisses continued, and Governor Slaton
paused. President Persons rappcd
again. and the Kissing ceased He
warned the spectators that unless they
were In order the galleries would be
cleared. Instantly there was n tumult
OF applause. After II subsidized. Gov
ernor Slaton turned to the new Gov
ernor and said, presenting the seal:
Governor Harris. l know that during
my term of office this great seal OF
State has not been dishonored" His
words we're greeted by another pro-
longed outburst of applause
Leaving the Capitol the crowd
surged IN on the former Governor. and
had to be held back by the militia.
Kisses and shouts greeted his ears.
Some one yelled traitor" and another
called him King OF the Jews" Gov
ernor Slaton hurried to his automobile.
accompanied by his successor. The
crowd followed the car, under the i'm
preston that 1t was on the way TO
the Terminal Station, where the police
had to dfsperse the throng that quick
ly gathered. The two Governors did
not go to the station. They were on
their way to the hotel where the
luncheon to Governor Harris was
given.
Senator Hoke Smith also spoke at
the luncheon. He confined his remarks
to n denunciation of Great Britain's
blockade policy as it affects the cotton
business Of the South.
RECOMMENDATIONS ny HARRIS
IN HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Governor Harris. in his inaugural
address. recommended strengthening