The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-07-14
Lakeland's Big, Jolly
Delegation, Carrying
Its Own Band, Is "the
Life of the Party" and
Secures Next Years
Celebration for This
City

City
At the big Georgia Day celebra-
tion at Kissengen Springs, Thursday,
the permanent organization of the
Polk County Georgia Club was eff
fected
l.. A. Morgan of Fort Meade, general
chairman, presided at the organiza-
ton meeting held in the afternoon
around the speakers platform in a
group of ancient. moss-hung oaks.
Geo. p. Brantley, secretary of the
Lakeland club. was appointed tenn
porary secretary.
In addition to the list of officers
reported in Thursdays Telegram, a
vice-president was elected from each
town represented at the celebration.
The complete lineup of officers,
therefore, is as follows: President.
L. A. Morgan, Fort Meade; first vice
president, W. S. Myrick, Lakeland;
land; treasurer, J. J. Johnston, Bar
tow; district vice presidents, j. l..
Moore, Haines City; J. Pope Bass,
Pierce; B. H. Alexander, Lake Wales;
J. A. Dasher, Barlow; l.. n. Pipkin.
Mulberry; J. T. Stallings, Winter Ha-
ven; j. II. Wilson. Homeland; JOS. +.
johnson, Lakeland; Ben f. Williams,
Haskell; o. A. Mathews. Frostproof;
\. T. Peacock, Fort Meade.
BartOW'S Mayor Extends Welcome
The meeting was first called to or
der shortly before noon by l.. A.
Morgan. chairman. Hon. K. B. Huff
aker, yor-commissioner of Barlow,
was the first speaker Kissingen
Springs being suburb of Barlow.
Mayor Huffakers assigned duty was
the delivery of an address of welcome,
which he gave in his usual pleasing
manner.
In extending a cordial welcome to
the Crackers assembled before him.
Mr.. Huffaker made some interesting
comparisons between Georgia and
Florida. showing that Florida is
bit the larger, has only one-fourth
the population of Georgia, but eXcels
that state in the amount expended for
good roads and for schools and in
per capita bank deposits.
"On an average said the speak
er, every person in Florida has
$S0.15 more in the bank than a per-
son i'll Georgia
Rev. ]. A. Parker OF Fort Meade
was the next speaker Taking
that Florida is not part of
up a statement he had read
the old South, Reverend Parker
built an eloquent address around the
thought that so long as the Georgia
Crackers are here, there lis u part of
the old South in Florida. He dwelt
tenderly on the old days in Georgia,
emphasizing the true democratic
spirit that prevailed when the broad
cloth suit sat next to the jeans in
church and the imported fan waved
in unison with the old turkey tail
He referred TO the aristocracy of
Georgia as an aristocracy of merit,
and went on to say that, although
those days are past, they have served
their purpose in instilling the prin-
ciples of true democracy into the
Georgia Crackers, many of whom
have now come to give themselves to
Florida, "the land of enchantment.'
Big Picnic Dinner
The bountiful basket dinner was
spread on the long picnic tables out
of doors and Florida products handled
by Georgia recipes proved the acme
Of deliciousness. while Georgia
peaches, Georgia watermelons, Geor-
gia ham aand other delicacies from
the old home state were there in all
their glory. Fried chicken had lead
ing place on the menu, but every 9th
er good thing that was ever thought
of was there too.
Business Meeting and Addresses
The meeting was continued after
dinner, and was held at the speakers
platform until the rain drove the
crowd into the pavilion, where the
program was completed.
The business session was held first,
during which the organization was
made permanent, officers were elect
ed, the third Thursday in. June de-
cided upon as the regular date of the
annual meeting, and Lakeland chosen
as the next meeting place.
L. N. Pipkin of Mulberry was then
introduced. Mr.. Pipkin, who is one
of the trustees Of Southern College,
spoke of the cause that is nearest
his heart, that of education, urging
his hearers to aid humanity and
Florida by building up educational
facilities.
Col. w. J. Touchton of Winter Ha-
ven gave an able address on the
Georgia spirit in Florida. and the re-
markable progress It has helped lo