Omaha daily bee., 1888-10-30
Gov. THAYER FIRES HOT SHOT
He Meets the Voters of Omaha and
Defends Himself. e;
YOUNG sMYrh CAME FORWARD.
The Embryo Politician This Morning
Wishes He Had Remained Back
ward-The speech and tho
Incidents Thereof
The Governors Meeting.

Thayer was 10 speak on the political issues
Of the present campaign was the means Of
drawing a large and representative body Of
citizens TO the council chamber last night.
Just rs the sombreness Of night began to
envelop the city, individuals imbued with
political patriotism might be seen propelling
themselves in the direction OF the exposition
building, and when the hour OF speechmak
ing arrived every inch Of standing room and
other available space in the hall was pre-
empted In fact, hundreds were compelled
TO retrace their steps or account of the
throngs that crowded the asles and door
ways.
At precisely O'Clock Major T. S. Clark
son and John l.. Webster, together with the
remaining members OF the escort committee,
entered the hall, followed by Governor
Thayer. AS soon as the audience caught
sight ofthe chief executive of the state, the
cheering and applause resoundcd throughout
the hallway and was almost deafening. Gov
ernor Thayer was escorted to the platform,
where he was seated 1The Omaha Guards
band rendered series of national airs, after
which q Mr.. Garrotte rendered vocal par
ody on the "Old Oaken Bucket"
At this point Major Clarkson, in brief
speech, reviewed the issues of the campaign
in Douglas county He stated that the citi-
listening to the voice Of Il man that came to
Omaha to speak in his own defense.
He reviewed the record of Governor
Thayer as soldier, and stated that
he (Thayer) was at a post OF duty in
defending the union when his antagonizcrs
were reaping rewards from his ifc-strained
efforts. He concluded by introducing Gov
ernOr Thayer, who spoke as follows:
This is a national issue, and one that calls
for the exercise of good judgment. an
here tonight Spon an issue that is well
known to most Of you. propose tonight to
unfold a gigantic conspiracy that found its
birth in Omaha and in the city of Washing
ton. / have been assailed by members of the
element giving birth to this conspiracy, and
intend to give you my views in return. l
propose to show up the record of John A.
McShane, my opponent but will not indulge
in personalities. | invited Mr.. McShanc to
meet me before the people, but he ignored
my personal letters in two different in
stances. The action of John A. McShane in
this respect bespeaks the most ignobe tenor
of cowardce. In the Herald. McShancs pa
per, have been assaed and hold McShane
responsible for its utteral OBS My fellow
citizens, am in the fight and propose to
stand at my post of duty. l have resided
here for thirty-fo years; and am willing
that my career my character and my official
record be held up before the most scrutinz
ing eye in the democratic ranks. l was here
protecting tiresides in years gone by from
the ravages of the Indians l carried our
cannOnade at Donaldson, and afterward at
Shiloh. Where my opposcrs were at that
time know not.
At this iuncture he held up piece Of
parchment upon which was printed series
Of implied questions and charges concerning
the manner in which the convict labor bill
was formulated and the indscreet way in
which it was approved by him as governor
Pointing out into the sea of faces he inquired,
ais Mr.. G. j. Smyth in the audenceW
''HG iS.' came a voice from the rear of the
chamber.
"Come forward"
c. j. Smyth made his way to the
stand and read series of questions
and charges while silence reigned through
out the spacious hall. AS soon as he com
pleted reading the charges the governor
said:
II will give Mr. Smyth the credit of being
versatile liar. These charges are false and
malicious"
Smyth--"Hod on, 1 can prove that they
are true"
Governor Thayer-By whom9
Smyth-By Senator Moore, Of Lancaster
county. can prove that you requested him
to vote for the bill.
Governor Thayer-You are a liar sir, and
you take the sacred right OF this opportunity
TO exercise your untruthfulness.
Smyth-With all due respect to your
position and your age, | cannot refrain iron
denouncing you as falsiter, and when yor
say that my statements are untrue you uttel
"a statement that to you, sir, is known to be 9
lie in its broadest sense.
The GovepAor-I reflect with an eye of pity
upon the attitude taken by this man Smyth
He ls here as an instrument OF John McShan'
and tool for a political clique l have toe
much respect for him to express myself OF
his record, for it would throw light upon Ger
tain matters connected with his career tina
would be lamcntable. A shyster in politics
and knave in Office you find in him. NJ,
advice to you, Mr.. Smyth, is to stand bacl
from the SrrntiniZinlr Of iuStipe which In
your case, sir, is suppressed.
The house was in an uproar and 1t was
difficult tor the chairman to restore order
Mr. Smyth then took seat and the governor
concluded, saying:
approved that bill for the reason that i
was the means of saving to this state nearly
100000. The obtaining of contract of thi
tenor necessitatcs vast expenditure o
money by the contractor, and for this reasol
the CONTRACT was awarded under the existing
system. Why did not Mr.. Smyth raise hi
voice against the men who voted for II, a
the timei He was a member of the legsla
ture that passed the bill; two Of his col
leagues-members of the Knights of Labor
voted for il; twenty-one democratic member
of the house voted for 1t, and still am hel,
up to public ridicule because approved o
the bill. | will say that MIR. Smyth may fee
somewhat disappointed in my no
stan as per his request, and in fac
know of no other reason why he shoul
SucU SthIClncHlS.
Smyth-Youpr promised me position on you
staff, provided l would throw my support il
direction dictated by you. But sir,
promptly refused TO countenance your en-
treaty, and stand here to prove it.
Governor ThayerThat is not so, and
care not under what roof l pronounce 1t
falsty. But / am not here TO quarrel witt
Mr.. Smyth or anybody else. l am here for
nobler purpose.
Continuing he said: The convict labor is
sue is one that has been magnified by tn
democrats Of this state since the present IL
sues came up. To tell the truth ] signed tn
bill to prevent the formation of ring
prison ring as McShane's paper would teri
1t. Had i vetoed the bill it would have RI
suited in the formation of ring, and tur
TO the condition of other states
bear me out in this statemen
You have ring in Omaha, and one of n
little magnitude How have some of thes
fellows, that now pose before YOU, mad
their millions of wealth How, ask yol
Does not the circumstance intimate yer
plainly that an element possessing Ion
fingers was ut work. Yes, the question
openly answered by the existing ring
Omaha to-day.
Now, let INC turn to the record of McShan
stated that would unearth a conspirac.
1t is this. plan has been formed to ca
ture the next democratic United States SEN
tor from Nebraska by the democrats. II
important TO them II would give them
close claim to a majority in the United STATE
senate, and should Cleveland be elected,
would have full sway and unlimited powe
politlcally: and shoula Harrison be elect A.