The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-09-16


Were Marked By a Plentiful Lack
of Enthusiasm.
1t was not expected that the rally of
the Women's Mckinley club at the
theater last night would be either a
very enthus.stic or a very numerously
attended function. it being an acknowl-
edged fact that the great multitudes
OF the people IN this city and state have
discernment enough to see that the
election of Mckinley would be little
less than a calamity to the people OF
the west, but few anticipated that the
meeting would prove the pitiful frost
that it did There was fair audience
present, the body of the theater being
probably three-qurters filled and a
sprinkling in the first circle. The hear
ing of those present, however, showed
that a great many of them were not in
81 npathy with the Mckinley movement
and had come out Of curiosity more
than anything else. Some remained
passive when they were expected to
applaud, while others openly expressed
their disapproval and even the applause
which was rendered occasionally was
FAINT and devoid OF genuine enthusiasm.
The stage presented a very pretty APP
pearance and was occupied by the ia
dies of the club very Handsomely
gowned, while the young lady usners
very sweetiy welcomed the people as
they came in and presented each with
a leafiet of the platform of the organi-
za1ioa as they showed them TO their
seats.
The managers of the rally were not
fortunate in tna selection Of their speaA-
ers. the big guns of the little party
being conspicuous by their absence, and
the crude amateurish efforts of Mr..
Cosigan who was the first speaker,
fell very fiat. lie wes followed by Mrs.
Fannie E. Stewart Of Pleasant Grove,
whose address was-well, she is a lady
and not expected to know much about
politics yet. Ex-Governor Thomas talk
ed protection and statistics all very
well in their way. but awfully dry in
the hands of a dry ralker.
Judge Bennett said few words ana
John Henry Smith closed with one OF
his fearfully and wonderfully construct
ed-orations, they may be called for
want of a better name.
The music by the glee club and the
band was the only either instructive or
GnICL IcA4l1A4S pal u LIZ e------~'
THE DECORATIONS.
The decorations were elaborate and
showed the influence Of feminine taste.
A large flag hung from the arch of the
stage. Red, white and blue draped
the second and third balconies, and on
the upper boxes on either side steel en-
cravings of Mckinley and Hobart were
displayed. TIE stage was alternately
yellow with sunfowers and green with
potted plants and palms. To either end
of the central flag were attached pic
lures of the leaders of the gold forces.
The sunfiower cleaned in front OF the
lower boxes, and the national colors
were Haunted from all sides of the
stage. Mrs Annie Adams presided
during the evening and did her part
with grace and tact, under somewhat
trying circumstances.
PROCEEDINGS OPEN.
Mrs. Sarah Smith was the first one
introduced TO the expectant audience.
After a brief Introductory flourish she
read the platform of the women OF
Utah who believe in McKinleyism.
THE CHIEF HEARD FROM.
The secretary then read letter from
the gold chief himself, in which he
thanked the Republican women for heir
work they were doing.
FORGOT TO APPLAUD.
George p. Costigan was the first
gold orator brought forward He made
a. very remarkable speech which SO
electrified the audience that it entirely
forgot to applaud About the only
thing that he proved conclusively and
to the entire satisfaction of the aud
fence was that George Washington was
the first president OF the United States.
Mr.. Costigan's speech was a linguistic
treat ana the gestures with which he
reinforced his plea for high tariff and
gold were according to the exact Tor
Tnulas of the text books. The audience
had heard similar things when flushed
and buoyant youth delivered his vale
dictory. and every one was struggling
with doubt as to whether it was Y.
M. c. A. debate or a high school COM
mencement.
MRS. FANNIE E. STEWART.
Mrs. Fannie Z. Stewart, of Pleasant
Grove, thought that this was an aus
picious occasion, because women were
now recognized as the political equals
of men and were thus in q position 10
exert their soothing influence on the
warning political factions at the pres
ent time The speaker said she was a
Republican. proud of Lincoln and the
achievements of the Republican party.
She was a free silver advocate, she
said. and strange as it may appear. de-
clared she stood on a free silver plat
form and didn't know of amy party
which stood on a gold platform except
the pure Jeffersonian Democrats. Free
silver and free trade, as enunciated by
Mr.. Bryan, would not work, in fact
most OF the promises of Mr.. Bryan
could only be fulfilled by the advent of
the millennium, they were too good to
be true.
PROTECTION AND STATISTICS.
Ex-Governor Thomas next took the
floor and remarked that we had heard
the news from Maine and nobody with
any Judgment could doubt that William
NICK inley would be the next president
of the United States
Women were generally Republicans,
cat this point about half of the audi
ence rose and left the theatre, making
considerable noise as they made their
exit The speaker waited patiently
while the people were retiring and then
proceeded to address those who were
leftD
JOHN STUBBS SEEKS INFoRMA-
TION.
John Stubs here wanted to know
why the Republicans had not adopted
reciprocity with Canada.
The speaker said he didn't know and
referred the seeker for information to