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THE NEW YORK TIMES

Saturday, June 26, 1915

Page 4

VIOLENCE FEARED IN ATLANTA TODAY

Militia Ready to Put Down Anti-Slaton Outbreaks as the Governor Retires.

LEAVES GEORGIA FOR REST

Great Crowds Expected at Inauguration—Many Mass Meetings Cause Apprehension.

Special to The New York Times.

ATLANTA, June 25 [1915].—Governor John M. Slaton will retire from office at noon tomorrow and a few hours thereafter will leave Georgia for some place not yet announced.

It is said that Governor Slaton will be out of the State for some time recuperating. He has worked hard during recent months, and this, together with the strain incident to the Frank case and the events that have followed the commutation, has caused the Governor to decide to take a long rest. He will be accompanied by Mrs. Slaton, and it is possible they will spend the next few months on the Great Lakes, in Canada, and in New York.

The hour at which Governor Slaton will leave has not been definitely stated. It is said that he will leave on Sunday afternoon, but there are rumors tonight that he plans to depart on Saturday afternoon, soon after he has turned over the Executive office to his successor, Judge Harris of Macon.

If the retirement of Governor Slaton and the inauguration of Judge Harris tomorrow pass without incident a bountiful crop of rumors will have come to naught.

Atlanta has been remarkably quiet since the attack on Governor Slaton’s home on last Monday night. The feeling has shown no signs of diminishing, although it has been restrained. It is generally believed that it has been the calm that precedes the storm and that preparations have been made for a great anti-Slaton demonstration at the capital tomorrow. Railroad men report that unusually large crowds are coming to the inauguration from the country towns and rural districts, and the prophets assert that the crowds will be here for the purpose of showing their disapproval of Governor Slaton’s action in saving Leo Frank from the gallows.

The authorities have taken unusual precautions to handle an outbreak should one occur. The entire Fifth Regiment of Atlanta has been mobilized and will be on duty during the inaugural exercises. There will also be a regiment here from Macon, the home of Judge Harris, and companies from other places. It is an open secret, however, that many of the troops do not approve of Governor Slaton’s action, and while they will do their duty as soldiers, they are not in love with it.

Governor Slaton was at the Capitol today winding up executive business. He seemed in better spirits and was apparently glad he was about to be rid of official duties. He was accompanied by an officer on the trip to and from the Capitol. A detachment of troops is still on duty at the Governor’s country home.

While the sentiment of Georgia at large undoubtedly strongly disapproves of Governor Slaton’s action, there is a minority which believes that he did right and that time will vindicate his action in commuting the death sentence of Frank.

It is certain that the pardoning and commuting power of Georgia Governors will be greatly curtailed for the future. Two measures for that purpose are already pending, and they will be merged into one and promptly passed.

One thing that makes the authorities apprehensive for tomorrow is the number of secret mass meetings that have been held nightly in Atlanta and the adjoining towns. These meetings have been held at Marietta, Hapeville, Jonesboro, and several other towns, and it is said that at these mass meetings plans were formed for a demonstration against Governor Slaton tomorrow. Atlanta newspapers have had reports of mass meetings all over the State.

One of the strangest of these meetings is reported to have been held at Marietta, where Mary Phagan is buried. One hundred and fifty citizens are said to have met at Mary Phagan’s grave and formed an oath-bound organization to avenge her death. This body is to be known as the “Knights of Mary Phagan,” and it is the purpose of the organizers to form lodges over Georgia, the members being pledged never to rest until the murder of the girl has been avenged. There seems to be little doubt that such a body has been formed.

Reception to Friends of Frank.

The Woman’s Peace Society will hold a reception in the Assembly Room of Cosmopolitan Garden, 32 West Twenty-third Street, this afternoon to those who signed the petition to Governor Slaton of Georgia, asking for a commutation of the death sentence of Leo Frank, and to those who worked to obtain the signatures.

REFERENCE

1. The New York Times. (1915, June 26). “Violence Feared in Atlanta Today.” p. 4. The New York Times (1851–2008).