Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1894-10-31
A GRAND SUCCESS.
The Spooner Meeting Last Evening Very
Large and Enthusiastic.


Large and Enthusiastic.
Never before in her history has Wa
tertown seen as large Republican de-
monstration as that of last evening,
when ex-senator John G. Spooner paid
us his first visit, and there has only
been one of any party that was near its
equal the Watterson meeting in 1888.
Mr.. Suooner's coming had been thor
oughly advertised and'prepared for and
there were large delegations attracted
from the ding towns and coun-
try, Oconomowoc leading with al ex-
cursion numbering 400 from her i'm
mediate vicinity, including the Repub-
iican marching club with 250 torches
and numerous transparencies, who on
their arrival at O'Clock paraded the
principal streets, headed by an escort
of local Republicans, the band and the
drum corps, all under the marshalship
of w. G.. Raue The Oconomowoc boys
made an excellent showing and fairly
painted the town with Republican en-
lacking. If the impression made by
them is to be taken as Il criterion the
Republican party has a fattering
chance for success in Waukesha coun-
ty this fall The boys say there are
but three Democrats in OcOnomowoc
and these may be converted before
election DR.. w. A. Jones, central com
mitteeman, and E. E. Gray, president
of the Oconomowoc Republican club,
had charge of their delegation. After
the meeting the visitors were given
luncheon in the lower hall by the local
club.
At an early hour the people filled
the spacious Turner Opera house, and
by the time the marchers had gathered
inside the hall was iammed with an
immense audience numbering some
800 people, with a generous sprink
ling of ladies. 1t was an extremely
orderly gathering and listened with
eager attention for nearly three hours
to Mr.. Spooner's brilliant remarks ut
tered with an earnestness that betok-
ened we'll his true Republicanism The
meeting was opened by the Oconomo-
voc Campaign Glee club with humor-
Gus selection that caught the audience.
DIR. W. F. Whyte, president of the local
Republican club, was chairman of the
evening and briefly introduced Mr.
Spooner, who, after expressing his sin
cere regrets over cancelling his former
date, proceeded to deliver one of his
characteristic speeches, marked by
convincing logic, fiery brilliancy and
intermittent wit. He said he came as
a Republican to give Republican talk,
and he was not ashamed Of it. Ere
quent applause interrupted the speak
er, and when he made some telling
point the enthusiasm of the audience
knew no bounds. He dwelt mainly
upon the tariff and financial questions,
but also paid due attention to state af
fairs. He took up the arguments ad-
vanced by Democratic speakers here
and laid them all thread bare and hol-
low beyond the possible question Of
doubt. He thoroughly explained the
position of the Republican party on all
the questions of vital interest to the
people and completely captivated his
hearers. A glowing and just tribute
was paid to Maj Upham that met
pronounced responsive chord and Mr..
Spooner also remembered the other
candidates of the party and urged
cheerful support Of them and of Re-
publican principles.
We have not time to go into details
over Mr.. Spooner's commendable
speech or to recount the triumphs he
achieved as shown by the demonstra-
tons of his hearers. Su flee it to say
that a more satisfactory effort has
never been produced in our midst and
it was the general opinion that Mr.
Spooner totally eclipsed any campaign
orator heretofore heard here. The
complete success and magnitude Of the
meeting astonished our Demo
cratic friends, and no little alarm has
been occasioned in their camp as to
the results shat are sure to follow.
A word Of credit in closing should be
given the ladies who had charge of the
decorations. With flags, bunting and
flower they had appropriately embeI-
lished the stage and ball and made the
scene a most acceptable one