The herald., 1896-09-20
STAND IN DRILLING RAIN
Listening 10 Dreary Platidudes aad
Cheering 0bedl emily
The Candidate Recognizes Q Remafkatls
Phase Of Politics
Strange How Far q Man Will TravQa
How Long He Will Shiver ana
How Loud He Will Cheer to
Avoid the G. B.
Associated Press Special wire

CANTON, O., Sept. 19-Scarcely had
the echoes of yesterdays big demonstra-
tion at the home of Major Mckinley died
away, ere the distant rumblings Of
today's doings were heard. Barring the
local campaign opened yesterday, this
has been the biggest demonstration
since nomination day. There were ten
visiting delegations utilizing twenty-six
special trains and estimated from 10000
to $1,000 people. There was a cold, driz-
zling rain all the forenoon and when IL
ceased the temperature fell rapidly and
overcoats were in demand. After the
two receptions in the opera house in
the forenoon, one to the visitors from
Hutton, Verona, Oakmount and other
boroughs of Allegheny county and the
other to the employees Of the Carnegie
city mills of Pittsburg, the speech maxi
ing was transferred to the Mckinley
lawn, part Of it being done in the rain.
1t was the big delegation of railroad
men, too large for any hall. which set
the example Of defying the elements.
They, with the three or four hundred tel
egraphers who came with them, sur
rounded the little receiving stand on
cheered the assurances Of hearty sup
port delivered by their spokesman, J.
w. Dodge of the Illinois Central and
w. ]. Burke on behalf Of the telegraph
erS.
Major Mckinley responded to the Chi
cago and Fort Wayne railroad men and
telegraphers as follows:
My Fellow Citizens: It would be
hard heart indeed which would not be
moved by this splendid demonstration.
bid you each and every one of you
sincere welcome to my home. (Cheers)
I count 1t among the greatest honors
of my life to hive 5000 representative
men from the great railroad lines of the
country. centered in Chicago. come to
this city to give me their assurance that
in the year 1896 they stand by protec-
tion, reciprocity and sound money. (Great
applause.) These delegations coming
long distances present remarkable
phase of our political life and evidence
of the deep solicitude they have for the
welfare Of our country. Such a demon
stration as this would not be possible
if the people Of the country were not
profoundly sensible Of the dangerous
menace which is presented in the ma
tional contest Of this year. (Cheers.)
You are here today-men of all parties
and creeds-because you want to de-
feat the effort which is now being asside
uously made to destroy the credit ana
currency Of the country, and also be-
cause, loving law and order, you want -
stamp out the spirit of lawlessness ana
repudiation which is now threatening It.
Your active interest in this contest for
good politics. good government, good
morals and good money will be helpful
in every part of the country and inspir-
ing to the friends Of good government
everywhere. The railway is the mighti-
est factor of modern civilization. If one
proof above any other had been asked,
for the superiority of the United States
above any other country Of equal or
approaching territory. I know OF no
better evidence than the fact that of the
427 900 miles of railroad in the world we
have nearly 200,000 miles in this coun-
try. (Applause.)
To trace their history during the past
twenty years would be to write the pro-
gress of the country itself. so Intimately
are they associated. To say that they
one million of men, with 10000 locomo-
tives, $1,000 passenger coaches and over
100000 other cars, that the capital
stock is $3.50, 900, 900, with funded debts
of 4.S00, 100000 yearly traffic earnings Of
one billon,net earnings $31S,00 900, and
dividends sS4,0oo,oo0 annually. conveys
but faint idea of how fully they enter
into every line of business and affect di-
rectly or indirectly the great masses ol
our people. Not only are lives CONSTANT
ly in their keeping, but every year they
more and more are essential to our sub
sistence, convenience and comfort.
The major paid a glowing compliment
to the bravery and fidelity OF railroad
employees. Continuing. he said: have
said that railroad men are cool and coll
lected. brave and vigilant in the dis
charge of their duties, and surely great
er praise could not be given them than
this. Faithful unto DEATH has been
truly written Of many brave engineer,
conductor or brakeman who perished
rather than abandon his train, when ho
might, at the the expense Of others.
In the great state Of Illinois and the
great Chicago are nearly 1000 miles o.
railroad. have read the official state
ment of your railroad commissioners
and In the year ending July %. I'M, n