Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1895-06-21
REFORM EDITORS MEET.

According to previous arrangement, mum
Der of members of the Kansas Reform Pres
Association met at Girard last Monday.
Upon their arrival in the city, they foun'
carriages awaiting to take them about the city
and they found many items of interest, among
these items being smelters, stove works, foun
dries, Touring mills, etc. Indeed, we found il
Girard one of the prettiest little cities in Kan
sas. It's homes are especially beautiful, ane
these homes are inhabited by warm-hearted
hospitable people. The writer hereof was very
pleasantly located at the home of Judge A.
Finger and wife, who know just how to Cen
terrain the stranger within thy gates"
The first meeting was reception, or welcome,
at the court house. The attendance was very
large and the program excellent.
Mayor Haldenan called the meeting to order
at o'clock, and prayer was offered by Rev.
Hatfield, which was followed by beautiful music
by sixteen sweet singers.
The mayor delivered a well-worded address
of welcome, and his manner was sincere. The
response to this address was delivered by J. c.
Bradshaw, of the Winfield Free Press.
The response to "Our City," by L. Phillips,
was timely, appropriate and to the point
Rev. Hatfield handled the subject of "Our
Churches" in very entertaining manner.
James Browns response to "Our Ladies'
was good humored but not over-brilliant
Then came Mrs. Mary E. Lease who respond
ed to the toast, "Our Country" in manner
characteristic Of the speaker. The address was
an earnest, interesting and very instructive ef-
fort, and elected frequent rounds of applause.
The exercises were interspersed with excel.
lent music.
Tuesday morning, the editors met in the
court house and proceeded to discuss various
topics of interest to themselves and to the Peo-
ple's party and the people at large. This meet
ing lasted until noon, and adjourned to 1890
D. M, when the members of the association
met in executive session.
1t having been previously announced that
Rev. ]. D. Botkin and Mrs. Lease would speak
in the afternoon, the audience room at the court
house, and the Railways leading thereto, were
crowded almost to sufocation long before the
time designated for the meeting.
Rev. Botkin spoke upon ''The Problem of
the Unemployed" The speaker showed mark
ed familiarity with his subject. He gave the
Capitalization of wealth as the principal cause
of the present condition of affairs. He paid
due attention to the silver question. Many and
vocifetous were the rounds of applause.
Mrs. Lease was then introduced to the audi
ence, and she made brief but fotceful speech,
reitefating some Of Rev. Botkin's statements
and adding arguments in support thereof. She
also made strong plea for the Acknowledgement
Of woman, and struck the liquor monster some
vigorous blows.
Jerry Simpson followed Mrs. Lease, but made
only few remarks. 1t was Announced that
Jerry would speak at night, and the meeting
adjourned
In the evening, the house was again crowded
with people anxious to hear the "sockless
statesman" Jerry's speech was well received,
and members of all parties expressed themselves
as we'll pleased. Jerry did not arrive until late,
and the time was taken up with short talks by
B. E. Kies, of the Kansas Comnoner, and ].
P. Easterly, of the Manhattan Republic.
After Jerry's speech, Mrs. Lease was again
called, but as the hour was late, she arose and
excused herself to the audience.
After adjournment, the editors again met iii
executive session, adjourning about a. in.
This was the last session of the meeting.
While we have grouped these meetings all
together, for convenience, the editorial meeting
and the meetings addressed by the speakers
mentioned had no connection except by bond
of sympathy. Abe Steinberger Of the Girard