The San Francisco call., 1898-10-13
HANDSHAKING AND SPEECHES
STANDARD BEARER GAINING
 NEW FRIENDS.
He and Colonel Preston Address I'm mense Gatherings, and the En- thusiasm of the People
 Runs High.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

HANFORD. Oct 12.-The tour ot Henry T. Gage and Colonel E- F. Fres- ton brought the distinguished RepuDn- can campaigners to Hanford at o'clock this morning.
 The. success of the great mass-meet- ing at Visalia last night was the topic of comment among all classes to-day. Never in the history of Tulare County was a Republican meeting marked by such a display of enthusiasm and con- fidence as that exhibited at the Nlsaha demonstration Every hour adds to the strength of Henry T. Gage in this productive region of California To- day the people of Kings County are cheering for the Republican standard bearer.
 At the Hanford depot this morning MT. Gage and MT. Preston were met by a large throng of Republicans and es- Corted to the Aborn House. The ar rival of the next Governor was made known by the blowing of steam whistles and the firing Of anvil salutes. At the hotel MT. Gage received the people, while the band played inspiring music. Voters came from the stores, shops, vineyards and orchards of Kings Coun- ty to clasp the honest hand of the peO- ple's champion. The citizens of Han ford and the surrounding country con- tinUed to come in until MT. Cages strength was taxed. The one hours rest which he had planned to obtain before starting on the side journey to visit Lemoore and address the people there had to be deferred in order to meet the pressure of those who desired to see him.
 The Republican State Central Com mittee in arranging for the tour of the great San Joaquin Valley did not take into account the full measure of the burden which Messrs. Gage and Preston are obliged to sustain. It is the standard bearers pleasure to meet the people at these informal daylight re- captions, but the local committees ar range additional features so the speak CTS get less than five hours of the twenty-fOur for rest
 Escorted by leading Republicans of Kings County MT. Gage and Colonel Preston were taken in carriages to Iemoore. At the delightful country home of MT. Downing, near Armona, the party was entertained at luncheon The drive to LemOOre vas then re- sumed.
 Again music and anvil firing heralded the arrival of the popular nominee. Another reception was organized and hundreds of the citizens of Lemoore grasped the hand Of their candidate. At o'clock Bank Hall at LemOore was crowded to its utmost capacity by an earnest and intelligent audience. The meeting was called to order bv Jules Fox, ! prominent merchant, in a short intro Iuctory speech. He predicted that when the ballots were counted MT. Gage would be elected Governor of CaIifor- mia. The prediction was applauded and a storm of applause came when Mir Gage arose in response to the intro ductory words.
 The standard bearer deemed 1t pru- dent to reserve his strength for the greater Kings County mass meeting at Hanford Opera House tonight, so he did not discuss political issues at length. The address was in the style of man-to-man talk, and all who heard him were impressed by his man. Illness and sincerity. In closing he told the people that if they elected him Gov ernor no railroad or other corporation should dominate him, and that he would administer the affairs of the office hon. estly and efficiently, according to the best Judgment that God had given him
 E. F. Preston followed in a brief and rOusing speech. His denial of the in situation that the Valley road was ir danger of passing into the possession Ot the monopoly was received with tre- mendOuS applause. He paid a tribute to the public spirit of the men who planned and constructed the competing road to Bakersfield. He scored the agi- tators who had given nothing to Cali fornia but "jawbone," and mentioned in passing comment that Mcguire haG not given a dollar of the $65 000 drawr from the public treasury in aid of z competing railroad. Shouts of applause in quick succession greeted the bril- liant and straightforward talk o- Colonel Preston to the people of King: County. He gained the respect of tht audience at once and held the earnes attention of his hearers to the finish.
 J. C. Needham, Republican nominee for Congress in the Seventh District followed Colonel Preston. MT. Needhan made a convincing speech and as usua gained the earnest favor of his au diarca He Is ma king a highlY credit