The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-10-09
IS FOR EXPANSION
Smiths Eloquent Speech at
the Auditorium.
HITS YELLOW JOURNALS
Shows Need of EIecting Men
to Support President.

bubbl!ng enthusiasm. the keen, fervent ap-
probation that Charles Emory Smith did.
yesterday.
since the day Kansas became a close
state, and a national committeeman. sIhci-
tous, proffered assistance Kansas has had
many eastern speakers.
Some of them have tried in the pas 20
quicken the Kansas heart and have failed
Others have even refused TO make the at
tempt and failed. But from The opening
sentence of General Smiths speech Until
his Overwhelming climax every man il his
audience felt that here was western MAN
in the cabinet at last-and from Phila-
delphia.
There never was another speech made in
Wichita-and this VIII not find contradlc-
ton anywhere-when the audience left the
hall with voice SO single in commenda-
tion.
The Republican left the hall re-asserting
the glory of the Republican party.
The Populist left the hail complimenting
the speakers good sense, moderation and
splendid patriotism.
And the Democrat left the hall reaffirmed
in his belief that Mckinley, Joe Wheeler
and Fitzhugh Lee can thrash the world.
The noticeable feature Of the meeting
yesterday was the very close attention Mr..
Smith received from the big audience, OF
not less than 1900 people. the surprising
eagerness the people made evident TO have
the speaker discuss the question Of ex-
pansion and incidents pertaining to the
Spanish war and its results. The moment
he spoke OF Dewey at Manila or of San
tiago and its heroes, or of Mckinley, the
crowd plunged into a storm of cheers. Not
once during the hour and half talk was
there a suspicion of Incidence, except
very slight uneasiness when he alluded TO
the tariff question and reciprocity. That
feeling didn't last, for Mr.. Smiths unique,
plain and vigorous way of handling the
topic unarmed the crowd at once of the
general prejudice against a tedious dis
cussion of commercial aspects loaded down
with statistics.
The audience was disappointed slightly
in one particular. MI Smith didn't wade
into the expansion problem with such
definite and exhaustive statements of the
intended policy of the administration as
the people were anxious for. Yet he
handled the matter in way that left no
one dissatisfied.
As to the crowd. there IS only one esti-
mate. The Auditorium was full. There
were probably fifty people on the stage
and probably less than half that many
vacant seats in the southwest part Of the
ROOM The Auditorium holds $500 people
1t wifi be giving over the margin of every
question of numbers TO say that there
were 2300 people there, or 1900 more than
Attorney General Boyle had when he spoke
here There were probably hat dozen
in all that audience who left the hall be-
fore the speech was over; something never
equaled here before.
Mr. Smith is in a special car, accom-
panied by his wife and children, Postal
Superintendent Troy of the sixth division.
Chicago, Superintendent Morton of the
seventh division. St. Louis. and mes
senger. Fourth Assistant Bristow and a
number Of others accompanied the party
here from Topeka, but will not go to Col
orado. The party left here last night over
the Santa Fe for Colorado to visit Denver
and Colorado Springs, putting in the time
to October u. which is Mckinley Day at
Omaha. where Mr.. Smith is to meetlthe
presidents party from Washinton. Wich-
ita is his last pace to speak.
Mr.. Smith has never been further west
before than Topeka, and he says he ex-
pected to be surprised and say the same
things that other people say who come here
and are surprised at Wichita, but he was
surprised beyond what he anticipated.
Il am enjoying the trip immensely" he
said It's an education. It's a duty the
fastener owes 10 the west. think, and
the westerner should reciprocate."
He went to the federal building at 1:SO
with Colonel Murdoch and was introduced
to the clerks and carriers by Jugde Jewett.
The Citizens band furnished the street
music.
The crowd gathered early at the Audi
forum. There were 1900 people there at
O'Clock. Chairman Scheu announced that
the colored quartet and band would fur
nsh some entertainment until 2:So, at
which hour the speaking was advertised to
begin
The hau was decorated by pictures OF
Mckinley and Hobart, Grant, Logan, Fitz-
hugh Lee, Dewey and Sampson. Mr..
Smith made number Of hits in referring
to the arrangement Of the decorations.
The singing Of the quartet was good
While the band was playing. Mr.. Long. &C
companed by Chairman Harlow and Com
mtteeulan M!nick. came into the hail and
were greeted with roar OF cheers.
At 30 Mr. Scheu introduced James Ali
son as chairman Of the meeting. Mr.. ALI
son prefaced his introduction Of Mr.. Smith
by saying the Republican party was not
an accident; that it's long continuance in
power by the people was due 70 q cause
When MI Smith stepped 10 the edge OF the
platform he stood for two minutes before
the crowd would allow him 10 proceed.
He talked for one hour and twenty-five
minutes in one OF the most convincing.
logical and eloquent speeches ever heard
in Kansas He began:
Mr.. SMITHS SPEECH.
Mr.. Chairman. Ladies and Gentlemen
I thank you from the bottom OF my heart
for the very earnest and cordial reception
and greeting you have given me this
afternoon accept your presence here IN
such large numbers, on this busiest day
OF the week. not as a personal tribute 20
myself but as an evidence OF your devo-
ton TO the president; Of the United States.
whose representative am and who has
selected me as al humble member OF his
administration. ! accept your presence
here also as an evidence OF the action you
have determined upon FOR November s I
am glad 20 come TO this busy oiiy ot the
great state OF Kansas Charles Dickens
once said tina; the average American citi-
zen would not De satisfied TO go 10 heaven
unless ne was reasonably assured that he
could go further west ] am glad 20 come
west I appreciate and admire The enter