The Portland daily press., 1896-09-01
ESPECIAL TO THE pREss.l

~~S-~>-> ~ ~---- -----~~'S
Saoo. August 3l-The Hon. George
Fred Williams the vaoillating statesman
from Dedham made his first entry into
Maine since he became full hedged
free coinage silverite tonight where he
dressed large Audience in City hall,
Saoo.
The last time Mr.. Williams was In
Maine was when he spoke at Mr.. Llew-
e llyn Barton's Democratic love feast in
Portland. At that time Mr.. Williams
was engaged in paving the way for the
political flop, he was about to make and
with the subsequent evolution of the
said flop the public in entirely familiar.
Mr.. Williams is now past master of
silver plated oratory and no one would
recognize in the free silver oratory OF
money in Congress.
The Massachusetts orator was late
in getting down to business. He did
not arrive from Boston till z. 80 p m.
and then he had to COLLECT his thoughts
and his supper and this used up better
Uuuu an Acur eo ~ Wos olooI o-oV WnoA
he began his speech.
Mr.. Williams was met at the station
by the Bryan and Sewall Cadets a fine
appearing Compaign company..who es-
corted him with the 1st regiment band to
the hotel and hall.
The Massachusetts, orator could have
no reason to ind fault with the audi.
ence in points of numbers and applause.
The City hall was packed to repletion
and when he came onto the stage he was
greeted by fusilade of cheers.
Dr. Samuel Lord the mayor of Saco
presided. On the stage with the speak
er were DR.. G. N. Weymouth, Ferguson
Hawes, B. j. Smith, W. A. Roberts,
George ". Perry, Albert L. Hooper,
Johu T. Cooper, ". j. Kirkpatrick, E.
i. Staples, Col John N. Goodwin of
Saco and Biddeford and Chas. Fl. Chase,
f. S. Osgood and George T. Means of
Portland.
DR.. Lord got right down to business
and introduced the speaker of the even
ing. He received q genuine ovation.
He was in fine form and excellent voice
and his spesch was characterized by a
great delivery.
There was evidently large crowd of
Reed enthusiasts in the hall mixed up
in the crowd. This was evident when
MI. Williams read portion of one of Mr.
Reeds speeches. The speaker had bean
alluding to Mr.. Reeds frequent refer.
enoe in his speeches 30 the need of conf
dence in the country. AS he read a part
of the speech referred to he made the
point that Mr.. Reed offered no solution
and did not say who OF what to have
confidence in.
"Read the rest Of the speech and you'll
I tiud out" cried somebody in the body
of the hall and the Reed men sent NJ
one of the biggest cheers of the evening.
| II havs read it )" Tetcrted Mr. viii.
liams, flushing, ''and there is not the
slightest suggestion Of a solution" ana
then the Williams contingent howled.
Among other things the orator said In
substance:
| 1 certainly am deeply sensible OF
your kind greeting.
1t was in the city of Portland after
many months OF doubt and much an
exiety, mental and moral, that COM
men ced to change in my opinion upon
the financial policy of this country. My
study of the question was forced upon
me suddenly in Congress by my appoint
ment on the coinage committee. doubt
not that a majority of men i'll this audi
ence have approached their present views
change in opinion.
The sentiment of New England has sc
long been expressed upon one side by the
press that men are just waking up to the
real state of affairs.
This is a contest by the people against