The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-10-18
COL. ST. JOHN.
Five Hundred People Hear Him in a
Mastery Speech
The Fiat HumBgg Handled withou

next November, could have been given
than was shown by the large and enthusi-
astic assemblage gathered at Bancroft
Hall to hear Col. st. John last Tuesday
evening. The hall was packed so that
there was scarcely standing-roOm,
and both in numbers and enthusi-
asm this grand rally was in striking con-
trast with the meetings at the court
house that have been addressed by the
Greenback and Democratic gubernato-
rial candidates. Quite large number of
ladies graced the occasion by their pres
ence, and various points of the county,
outside of Emporia, were well represented
by delegations of citizens The music
for the evening was supplied by the
Americas martial band, in manner that
was very creditable to their skill as per
formers, and we have heard many express
siOns appreciative of their efforts in that
direction.
Judge Cunningham introduced Col.
st. John in a neat and graceful little
speech as candidate peculiarly fitted to
voice the principles of the Republican
party, and the next Governor of Kansas
by 10000 majority. As to Col. st. Johns
address, it was simply unreportable, and
it would be an injustice to the speaker to
attempt anything more than a synopsis
that would indicate the general line of
his arguments. The speech should have
been heard to appreciate in any degree
the aptness of its illustrations, the force
of its logic, and the effect of its delivery,
for none of these can be shown in pub
lished report like this. It is sufficient
for US to say that his illustrations were
most happy and appropriate, his argu-
ments were supported by indisputable
facts, and his whole speech abounded in
strong, clear points, expressed in most
forcible and effective manner Though
having suffered lately from hemorrhage
and the exhaustion incident to the labors
of the campaign, his remarks were char
acterized by an earnestness and eloquence
that made for him many friends, and will
enable the Republicans of Lyon county
to point with pride to their standard bear
er in this state.
He began by saying that what he should
say would be from a Republican stand
point. He would refer not to individual
Democrats, but to that party as politi-
cal OrganiZation-and in his remarks
having excepted certain elements of that
party-viz., all rebels, rebel sympathiz-
ers and political soreheads-to what
there is left in the party he would make
no reference. [Laughter.l He referred
to the progress of Kansas-to our pride
as citizens in her history-from the days
of historic Osawatomie to the present
and speaking of journey made by him
across these prairies-then the great
American describe years ago, he showed
how Kansas, like the stone in the ancient
temple, which, though the builders reject
ed, became the chief stone of the corner,
had become the grand keystone which
holds together and cements the union
of the states. [Applause.l Everywhere
throughout the state we observe evil
dence ofwonderful growth. This change
and improvement we determine by com
parison with the past; and in like manner
we may review the history of the country,
and determine by comparison of it's
condition in various states and at differ
ent times what political party is most en-
titled to support. The speaker then COM
pared Republican Kansas with Demo-
cratic Missouri. We have. our asylums
for the insane, the deaf and dumb. and
the blind, our splendid capitol at Topeka,
our agricultural college at Manhattan,
the university at Lawrence, and our Nor
NAL school at Emporia, which should be
an honor to the state, last but not least
the penitentiary at Leavenworth-
whelmingly Democratic The speaker
alluded to all these at length, and showed
what magnificent provision had been
made for every interest of the people.
Kansas has made a wonderful progress.
Notwithstanding the fact that her borders
were laid waste during four years of Dem
Ocratic war. Since the war thrifty and
growing cities have sprung up like mag
ic, her praries are covered with well-im-
proved farms, and her population has in
creased at the rate of 100000 per year
since 1866, greater gain than has been
made by any other state. We have $500
miles of railroad built and paid for by
the people-and the speaker said in pass
ing that while he would not favor any
legislation to cripple and impair their
usefulness, he believed the time had
come when fares and freights should be
regulated in the interest of the people of
the state. We have the best school sys-
tenn in the nation, school fund of ST.
100000, greater in proportion to popula-
ton than that of any other state; and at
the present ratio of its increase we shall
be exempt from school taxation in fif-
teen years. Local taxation for local i'm
provement of all kinds cannot be charged
to any political party, and the entire
state tax we find to be mills on the dol
lar. We have 1911, 900 of the peoples
money in the treasury, where the law re-
quires it to be kept; while poor Demo
cratic Missouri, three times as old as Kan
sas, with three times the population, and
immense natural resources, with large
and thrifty cities, has a school fund less
than one-third that of Kansas, and bv a
Democratic state treasury ring has been
absolutely robbed of the last penny in
her treasury. Treasurer Hayes, in Kan
sas, was compelled to resign to escape
impeachment on account of a technical
violation of the law, when he held $40,
600 in checks and drafts for the accom-
mediation of county treasurers, notwith-
standing the fact that before the articles
of impeachment were presented he had
converted every dollar into money. Lap
pin stole $4,000. To-day one-half of
that is recovered, the other half secured.
Uuder Missouri Democratic rule over
$3.50, 900 has been stolen, and not even an
Indictment has been brought against the
treasurer until within the last few DAYS
they were driven to it by Republican out
cry. The books of the Mastin bank show
that Mr.. Crisp has been DRAWING go 0On