Macon County GaArchives News.....Why the Band Didn't Play June 14 1894
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Harris Hill http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002514 July 14, 2004, 6:00 am

The Schley County News  
WHY THE BAND DIDN'T PLAY
As my refusal last Friday to grant permission to Mr. Lewis' campaign band to 
play at the polls in Oglethorpe on election day, has been misinterpreted and 
misconstrued, I deem it due to the people whom I have the honor to represent 
and to myself to state the facts in the case and leave the verdict to an 
unbiased public.

Partisan feeling was already running high and when it was announced on our 
streets late Thursday night that Mr. Lewis would march a band of music up to 
the polls in Oglethorpe early Friday morning there to remain and play until the 
polls closed, some spirited young men of the town without the knowledge of the 
older friends of Mr. Felton, rushed off and hired two brass bands to play for 
Felton.

This entended program for the day was reported to me as mayor of Oglethorpe.  I 
knew that it would not do to permit it to be carried out.  Both sides were 
wrought up to a high pitch and very little was then necessary to precipitate 
trouble.

Not only would the spectacle of three brass bands playing at the polls, where 
only intelligent white democrats were supposed to be voting, have been a 
reflection upon our little city, and a disgrace to the democratic party of 
Macon county, but it might have resulted in one of the bloodiest riots that 
this section has ever seen.

Viewing the situation from an official standpoint, without consulting the 
interest of either candidate, considering only my official duty, in preserving 
the peace and upholding the dignity of the city laws, I immediately ordered the 
marshall and police force to meet the band at the city limits, read to them the 
ordinance, which is an old one, prohibiting the banging of drums, the blowing 
of horns, etc. on the streets without the permission of the mayor, and kindly 
inform them that under the surrounding circumstances the mayor would not on 
this occasion grant that permission.

This order was obeyed, the band did not play and the election passed off 
orderly.  I have no apology to offer for enforcing the law, as it was my duty 
and in the interest of the public to do that, but I regret that this stern duty 
excluded from our city that day the Ellaville Band.

Ellaville fills a warm spot in my heart and every member of that Band I 
recommend(?) among my personal friends.

Under ordinary circumstances it then and will yet be a great pleasure not only 
to me but to most of the leading citizens of Oglethorpe to extend to the 
Ellaville Band all the privileges of our fine city and all the courtesies at my 
command.

R.Don McLeod, Mayor of Oglethorpe.



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