The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-09-14

HAVE 225 MEMBERS
Old Soldiers Organize McKin-
ley and Roosevelt Club.
OFFICERS ARE SELECTED
Rousing Speeches Made
Enthusiasm Runs High.

In one Of the most enthusiastic meet
ings Of the campaign. the old soldiers o.
the city organized a Mckinley and Roose
welt club Of 225 members at the city
building last night.
The men who saw the hard service II
the war of the rebellion were at the meet
ing and they were just as much in earn
est about the organization formed as ever
they were in the battles of their earlier
years. This movement on the part of the
old soldiers has been contemplated for
some time and the enthusiasm and num-
bers exceeded the expectations Of even
the most sanguine. This organization " Ill
be strong factor in the campaign in
this county and the number of the organ
ization on the first night Of its existence
is enough evidence to show where the old
soldier stands in the political field.
The officers selected TO take charge of
the organization are competent men and
have the respect and confidence of every
one of the members. The men elected
are: ]. NJ. Knapp, president; w. F.
Walker, first vice president; j. F. Beuew,
second vice president; L. F. Harson, sec
rotary; DR.. c. c. Furley, treasurer. The
executive committee appointed consisted
of Comrades ]. f. Bellew, chairman; E.
w. White, ]. H. Brown. R. c. Jackman,
II. T. Kramer. After the election of Of
ficers President Knapp was called upon to
address the club. which he did in
most effective manner.
Mr.. Knapp said in part:
Comrades of Wichita: I must thank
you for the great honor you have con-
ferred upon me by electing me president
Of the Mckinley and Roosevelt club of
this city I have been reading in the
Democratic press lately that all the old
soldiers were going to vote for Bryan
next November, but I believe the splen-
did gathering here tonight and the 225
that have already Joined the club is the
best evidence that the old soldiers are
going to stand by the party of Abraham
Lincoln and VIM. Mckinley We know
full well how Major Mckinley won his
place in the hearts OF the comrades.
I'm the dark days Of 1861 he shouldered
his musket, and at the call of his coun-
try he went out with US, endured the
hardships of camp life on the battlefield
and won his place among the illustrious
soldiers Of this country. In 1896, when
there were several million Of laboring
men out of employment, Comrade Nc
Kinley said, If I am elected president Of
the United States I vii rekindle the fires
n the furnaces and the large manufac-
ories of the country and give the labor |
ng men something to do and he has
lone that. And while Grover Cleveland /
otr years ago was selling bonds to pay /
he running expenses of the government. /
dr. Mckinley has not only carried on a I
var with Spain and has freed Cuba and /
'un up our flag in Porto Rico and the /
Philippine Islands, and he now has $780, /
10000 in the treasury, and the best of all /
he flag is respected the world over.
When Kansas boy first put the old flag
N the top Of that old Chinese wall and /
Minister Conger came out free man, it |
vas the climax of the greatest admins
ration since Abraham Lincoln Now my /
omrades, let us be diligent and do every
hing in our power from now until cleo
ion day to elect VIM Mckinley president
f the United States, and Governor
Roosevelt of New York vice president of
he United States
Mr.. Knapp was followed in close success
ion with lively remarks from nearly
evry member present. Everything start
d out with e vim and proved its old
oval colors from start to finish
Mr.. W. G. Jones, an old comrade Of the
rar from New York, graciously and 10y
ily responded to the request for a few
emarks By saying: Il am not a speak
r. but when leaving my home In New
ork for the encampment at Chicago and
Wichita, my Democratic friends told me
ley hoped I would know enough when 1
o. out here to keep my mouth smut. for
-ansas was to be for Bryan. had al
avs talked my politics whenever I was
Chicago. Kansas or New York. Sunday. I
-onday Tuesday, or any other day in I
.e week, and supposed 1 would have |
Y own way, which 1 assure you have" .
Mr.. Jones told Of his pleasure in see
6 such an enthusiastic gathering and
ada many remarks on the political az
Irs OF his state. He said the old SOL
ers were in line and that they would I
their duty this fall Every many pres a
II was interested in Mr.. Jones' remarks
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