The Portland daily press., 1891-11-26
GOV. M'cREARY's STORY.
How He Captured a Circus During
Campaign in kentucky.

There are more funny incidents In Ken
tucky campaigns than In those of any other
State In the Union. The political meeting
Is an index OF the popularity of the candi-
date and the reputation of slim gathering
or a poor speech Is apt to cause the defeat
Of candidate. Gov. McCreary tells a
number Of interesting stories of bis cam
paign, and he related the other night how
he made speech In a town wnere Robin
so1's circus was holding Its show, and cap
tured the crowd. Said he: II heard nothing
OF the circus. and as l drove on towards
the town where was to speak, was sur
prlsed at the number Of people saw going
into the city. was much elated. thought
that there was going to be political meet
Ing and Imagined that every one had heard
Of Gov McCreary and was going in to
hear him speak. As l neared town the
crowd became greater 1t contained negroes
and whites. IL was made up OF the young
and the old. and thought 1t very strange,
At last passed an old black aunty with a
little black girl running beside her. and /
stopped her and said:
Good day, auntie. Going into speak
Ing"
dat you say?"
Are you going into town to hear the
speaking, auntie?"
.''Speakinl' said the old woman as a look
OF Dlank amazement spread over her black
lace. II didn't know there was any speak,
ing. Use going into the circus"
AT last my feelings fell, and l Thought of
turning back. 1t Is no use to speak against
circus 10 Kentucky. You are sure to be
beaten. Still, was advertised to speak In
tne COURTHOUSE that morning, and knew
IL didn't do something with the circus.I
would talk to empty benches. Now, / had
several newspaper men with me, and / sent
one Uf them to see Mr.. Robinson, the man
ger Of the circus, and ask him IL he
wouldn't divide his tim with me. rhis
newspaper man was nice fellow. but he
mad no idea how to manage a diplomatic Hf-
lair like that. be went and came back and
told me he had seen Robinson and Robin
son told him he didn't care a blankety
blank for McCreary, and that McCreary
could speak when he pleased and what he
pleased. That Re was here to manage his
show and was going to manage 1t.
what did you tell him?" said l.
Il told him that MIR. MeCreary was In
town and was advertised TO speak, and
That ne would like to divide time with
Ibid you tell him that was candidate
for Governor and thatI was Democrat? ?''
| mo did not" replied the newspaper
man.
"Well, you come with me-" said /. "and
will show you how to get along with the
| CIRCUS. we then went out, and the news
paper man pointed out Robinson. He was
standing with number of circus EN-.
ployees around him. l stepped up to him
took off my hat and bowed very low and
asked IL had the honor Of addressing Mr.
Robinson, the influential ard distinguished
citizen Of New York, who had done SC
much for the Democratic party. He re-
piled that he was the man. l then went
on: "Mr. Robinson, am glad to have the
honor OF meeting you. have been sent by
Gov. McCTeary, the candidate OF the Dem
ocratic party for Governor In this State, Il
give youshis regards and to request that II
as-much as he knows Of your service to the
party, and as he Is to speak here to-day, Il
ask that you will arrange II possible to lei
him know at what time he can hold bi:
met ting so as not to conflict with your cele
brated show. Gov. McCreary, Mr., Robin
son has very high opinion Of you, and ht
wishes to oblige YOU"
Mr.. Robinson, the circus man was hiqhl,
| hattered at this address. l could see ht
| was dumfouHded when he said:
Il thank Gov. McCreary very much. and
| would like TO see him. Take me- and in.
troduce me to him."
wei, continued Gov. McCreary, 81
couidn' introduce myself after that haran,
| que IN the presence Of those circus men,
l said: ~
| him.
win that took him to my room, and
~ ~ soon as We got inside 1 shut the door.
hop,nson looked all around and said;
but wnere Is the GovenorP"
irose 70 my full height, put one hand on