The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-05-31
FOR THE TOPEKA.
$3.50 Raised by the Benefit En-
tertainment at Garfield Park.

The fund for the purchase of a gift
for the cruiser Topeka is better off by
$500 paid admissions at 10 cents per
admission as a result of the benefit at
Garfield park yesterday afternoon.
That number of people heard the con-
cert by Marshall's band and the pro-
gramme of speeches and songs by the
Modocs prepared by the Citizens COM
mittee in charge of the benefit They
enjoyed the concert and the speeches
and the Modocs' songs and felt glad
that the United States government had
named one of it's cruisers in honor of
the capital city of Kansas.
THE best city on the face of the
earth is what Brigadier General Hud-
son called it in the course of his address
and the audience echoed his sentiment
in generous applause. 1t was one of
the many patriotic expressions made
use of by General Hudson and the fact
that 1t was local patriotism made it
but dearer to the hundreds who heard
it. 1t made them feel that General
Hudson was thoroughly worthy of the
ovation rendered him by fellow citizens
when he made his appearance on the
platform.
And such an ovation. The Modocs
started 1T with a ringing cheer as Chair
man Strauss introduced him as a man
never yet whipped by sword or pen,"
and then the people scattered about the
band stand and among the trees of the
park took it up and kept it ringing for
several minutes. 1t was an ovation Of
which General Hudson might we'll feel
proud.
The Modocs followed General Hud-
sons address with a song, and then
Governor Leedy was introduced to
make the closing speech. He did it in
his characteristic style, and that means
that he pleased the audience. Few
speakers in the state understand the art
of keeping an audience in good humor
better than Governor Leedy.
Il didn't come here prepared to make
a speech" he commenced, but I came
here to have a good time and get away
from the fellows that are bounding me
to death to let them go to war But
still L don't mind that very much, for
it shows me that draft will never be
necessary in Kansas"
The audience laughed at his first re-
mark and applauded at his conclusion,
and when he could be heard again he
remarked:
But it does get a little tiresome once
in a while.
kansas people," he continued, flight
so much among themselves that they
are always ready for war. One of the
government officers told me when I was
raising the first troops that no old sold
iers were wanted because they couldn't
fight. Why he didn't know anything
about US out here. Just look at the
man we put up brigadier general
Shouts and laughter followed the gov
ernor's hit" and when once more his
voice could be heard he followed his
first sally with the remark, delivered
with strong accent on the second pro-
noun:
Il know he can fight; I've been up
against him myself
Again Governor Leedy was interrupt
ed with shouts and laughter, and when
the noise died away he concluded.
And the old man has several good
campaigns in him yet"
Mr.. w. F. Schoeh and Mr.. James A
Troutman preceded General Hudson
and Governor Leedy with appropriate
addresses. The exercises concluded with
a song by the Modoc club.
The success of the benefit was large
1y due to the efforts of Mr.. I. A Strauss
chairman of the Citizens committee
who worked hard to make it what it
was.