The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-10-19
WERE PACKED
AS SARDINES
AT C0RDELL
People Fill Every Hole and
Corner to Hear Mcclure.
RECORD BREAKING. EVENT
Democrats Vie With RepubIi-
cans in AppIauding Orator.

CordelI, o. T. Oct K.-Crowded to-
gether on seats: standing in every con-
ceivable place where it was possible TO
stand; packin the stairway and filling
windows, in the washita county district
court roomm, people listened for over two
hours to the speeches Of Bird s. MCGUIRE.
candidate fer delegate to congress, and
Judge Virgil H Brown, of Newkirk, both
men opponents Of the position Of the Re
publican party on matters that are OF
interest TO the people Of Oklahoma at
this time. II was conceded to be one Of
the largest political meetings in the his
tory of Washita county. Hundreds OF
persons were unable TO secure admission
10 the court room. 1t was impossible 10
even reach the top of the stairway, so
closely packed with people was it. The
people Of CordeIl and the residents of the
surrounding country united in giving the
two men a generous welcome The peo-
pie of Washita county were interested in
hearing the arguments Of the Republicans
n this campaign. They had heard the
Democratic side of the issues and were
determined to know what the other party
Is standing for. There were more Demo-
crats in the audience than is usually the
case in a Republican political meeting.
They were men who listened intenly, ev-
identity DESTROYS of going to the bottom Of
the statehood matter, as well as other
questions which are up before the voter
The entire meeting was characterized
by enthusiasm. At times the applause
was spontaneous. It was not confined to
the Republican SIDE OF the house, for
Democrats had no hesitancy in applaud
ing the Republican candidate for congress
when a point was made. Mr.. MCGUIRE
made q speech here that made friends
for HIM He was absolutely fair in every
respect. He produced arguments based
upon facts which were not to be refuted.
He censured no one for having differ
ence of political opinion. and this fact
alone was sufficient to make friends, for
the man who expected to be assailed was
doomed to disappointment. There were
q number of women present They were
interested in the remarks of the speaker.
Al times they assisted in the applause
which greeted him. Not only was the
main portion Of the court room packed.
but the speaker only had a small space
in which to stand while speaking. as
people were sitting around him. wherever
II was possible to secure q seat
Calvin T. Weeks. the candidate for rep
resentative who is making such a de-
termined canvass. introduced the speaker
TO the audience. He referred to the oapol-
og:es being offered from the stump and
by the press for the Democratic nominee.
He stated that the Republican party
this year had a man whom they were
anxious TO present without offering any
apologies for him. The reputation of Mr..
Mcclure as lawyer was mentioned and
fl this respect. his term Of Office as
county attorney Of Chautauqua county,
Kansas. and the record made at that
time was an indication to the audience
Of the splendid start the congressional
candidate had as young man.
When Mr.. Mcclure appeared before the
audience he was greeted with applause.
His voice was in a good condition and
reached every person in the court room.
Conceding every man the right to his
political opinion. and not criticsing him
because his opinion did not agree with
his. the speaker began lucid nd in
teresting discussion Of the statehood cues
things Oklahoma people have received at
the hands of q generous congress. Free
homes for every section Of the terri
tory. and that in securing free homes the
people Of Oklahoma had laid aside their
pTetudices and political affiliations to
vote for what they believed would con-
tribute the most good TO the entire peo-
PIE OF the territory. The case Of Greer
county people was referred to. The peo-
pie OF that county when il was part
OF Texas sent attorneys TO Washington
IN an effort to secure $40 acres of land
net TO cost more than one dollar per acre.
Later on. it was decided by the govern
ment of the United States chat Greer
county was part of Oklahoma. and the
work had 10 be done over again. Efforts
were made TO secure free homes. The
people of that county did not realize
what free homes meant. Finally. how
ever through the efforts of a Republican
delegate to congress ana Republican
congress. 500 acres Of land were secured
FOR those people. they paying 81 rer acre
for 16) acres Of the SD acres. the balance
o. the tract being Bift from the gov
eminent Of the United States.
Alr. Mcclure took up the statehood mat
ter. talidng Of the united efforts of peo-
PIE of all parties To secure immediate
statehood for Oklahoma. He stated that
for years they had been supphcating and
nlemorializiHS congress in the effort 10
secure statehood. That they had held
conventions In the leading cities of the
territory, attended 10y people affiliated
with every party. al meeting COR the pur-
pose of doing something to bring about
the desired condition OF statehood The
speaker then talked Of the Flynn bm
stating that after all had been done for
the people Of Oklahoma that could be
done. Ny Flynn. true 10 his promise. in
PRODUCED a bill in congress pro1l6ing for
immediate statehood for Oklahoma terri
tory. He stated ;aat Il was uot a po!it-
fcal measure, as the Democratic delegate
from New Mexico and The Democrats
delegate from Arizona were associated
with him in this matter. working together
for the bin known outside Of Oklahoma
q the Omnibus bin. and in Oklahoma as
the Flynn bill. lie told Of the work done
for the bill; how II went before TIE con-
ndmttee on territories IN the house of rep
resentatives and then took up the neht
that was made upon il by people from
Oklahoma and the Indian territory tx
tracts from the speeches made before that
committee by men opposing that bin were
read 10 the audience. These speeches
pictured conditions il the indian territory
and some OF the facts given IN them were
0Urprising revelations 10 the people Ct
Wsshita county.
NJ zr-r-,,ira referred ~ the v,-o-.- ~