The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-09-23
RiddIed Bill Cross Speech TO
Surprise of Democrats.
GIVEN A GREAT OVATION
Hobart Band Escorted Him
Into the City.

| pa4sn- The congressional candidate ar
rived in the city at o'clock from Roose-
velt, where he had spoken IN the morn
ing. He was accompanied from Roose-
velt to this city by a number Of the coun-
y candidates and the territorial COM
nitteeman from kiowa county. Omer X.
Benedict = short distance from town.
the Hobart band met the party and es-
corted il into the city. The party. headed
by the band. drove around the square
and then 20 the Silver Moon hotel. After
rest Of "a few minutes Mr. Mcclure
was driven 10 the speakers stand. The
audience was composed principally Of the
men who are making kiowa county one
OF the most important and prosperous
counties in the territory. There were sew
eral women present but the men who
have the welfare CT the territory at heart
irrespective OF politics, were present to
get the Republican side Of the campaign
issues
Mr.. Mcguire IS not a stranger in Ho-
bart At the big celebration here on the
4th OF July he was one OF the principal
speakers and met many people on that
day. When he appeared on the platform
before the audience he was given an ova-
tion and this was repeated when he was
introduced 10 the audience. In spite Of
the fact that he had made one speech al
ready Mr. Mcclure was in excellent
spirits and made one OF the most telling
speeches that he has delivered so far dur
ing the campaign. He took up the state
hood question as the important issue OF
the year. lie referred 10 the Flynn bill
and of the present condition OF that i'm
portant piece of legislation. He told of
the hard work OF Democrats in opposing
this bill. when the party in Oklahoma
had been protesting for statehood and
resoluting at every opportunity. demand
ing immediate statehood for Oklahoma.
He referred TO the condition OF the In
dian Territory and spoke of the division
of the school fund which would be nee
essary, If the Indian Territory is admit
ted at this time. There was intense in
terest in this matter and Mr.. Mcclure
was frequeHtIy applauded for his utter
ances on this question.
Mr.. Mcclure took special pains TO show
up some of the arguments made BY BIZ
Cross when he appeared here. Cross made
his usual speech using strong language
in condemning the negroes. He told +he
people that the mixed school question was
an issue and that II the matter was
taken 20 the supreme court it would be
ascertaincd that there is no law provid-
ing for separate schools. In referring 10
this matter. Mr. Mcclure read the law
as 1t was printed in the session laws of
1901 and told the history of the case taken
TO Chief Justice Burford and thu opinion
rendered by him in the matter The read
ing Of sketches from speeches made By
Cross in various sections Of Oklahoma Ia
reference 10 the negroes created much
merriment and caused some wonderment
among the Democrats present whether
Cross was sincere in the statements made
i'm his speech here.
The free homes plank in the Republi-
can platform was discussed by the con-
gressional candidate and in evidence Of
what the party had declared for and
meant TO secure IL possible. the audience
was cited 10 the fact that through the
efforts of Dennis T. Flynn and the Re-
publican party the people OF the Cherokee
Strip received free homes. when it was
repeatedly said by members OF the op-
position party that the Republicans could
never secure such legislation. Free homes
is an interesting thing 70 the settler IN
the new country. There are many per
sons here who are well TO do and who
will prove up IN the near future There
are others however. who came here prac-
tically without means. TO secure homes
They are now on their claims. toiling To
make the most out Of every acre Of land
in their possession. These are the pco-
pie who build UP any country or Commun-
ity and these are the residents OF the new (
who are so interested IN the plank
in the Republican party referring 70 free 4
homes. Mr. Mcclure was loudly cheered 4
when he said that ne could not prom
se free homes. nor that he did not be- (
ieve il good policy for any candidate 70 F.
20 so. bat that he would promise 90 do 4
everything IN his power. # elected 10 con /
gress. to secure free homes for the pe0- /
pie in the three new counties recently 4
add TO Oklahoma.
The discussion Of the free text book 4
plank was an intere sting thing - Hobart f
people The new settler understands what 4
{ means 20 buy school hooks and FOR
his reason lie was especially interested .
2 what was said along this line. and as
sisted in cheering the speaker when a
eiling point vas made. SIR. Mcclure
aIked at some length here and instead a
lin lnlshing. as night time came og. his
audience steadily grew larger. men stand
~ iu the court house yard intenfiy lis
enirs 20 what was being sad hy Air.
IcGusre.
At the conclusion 4 the meeting, be
ras introduced 10 many persons IL the
udience-aws kept busy for sore tirae
a meeting people who had heard his
peerh aCd who desired 70 congratulate
iu on the sentiments expressed.