The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-04-05

pated in one of those old-fasnioned
Hoosier squirrel feats, of which he is so
fond. The Major is a speaker of great
humor, and can arouse as much enthusi-
asm as any audience can stand and save
its buttons He told of the quick action
OF the band wagon at Great Bend with
the felicity OF James Whitcomb Riley,
and his estimate of Victor Murdoch
character, as observed from apparently
little things. was true. in reality, as
photograph. The Major made a splendid
speech. and has left an impression on
Wichita that will not be forgotten soon-
The brilliant Dumont Smith, he who long
ago predicted a red-headed congressman,
and did so much towards fulfilling his
prophecy, came next. Senator Smith is
not only one of the ablest men in Kansas,
but has very few superiors anywhere for
brilliancy of mind HIS speech was d
beautiful one ana while the audience fol-
lowed his fights of rhetoric the silence at
times fas such that the proverbial pir
could have been heard drop. Mr.. Smith
paid tribute TO Mr.. Murdoch thai was
one of the finest pieces of English ever
heard in the Auditorium.
Honest, sincere, loveable, self-made
Charlie Branine was the next He likened
the JOY of Wichita people over their red
top congressman to that of the boy over
his red top boots. Mr. Branine is a state
senator and Victor Murdoch says of his
convincing ways that if the Missouri Pa
cific road was four miles longer. he would
have convinced him two or three weeks
ago that the next congressman should
Victor the story of his life during a rail-
read journey in March and Victor was
SC touched by it that he actually almost
decided TO gel out of the race in his
favor.
David Blaine of Pratt followed Senator
Branine. Mr. Blaine is one of the best
business men and business rustlers in the
state, besides being a man of great public
usefulness. He was the originator of the
plan of inducing men to come to Kansas
for harvest work and if he entered poll
tics with the beginning Of the last decade
nothing could stop him from going to
congress. Although Mr.. Blaine is fond Of
fun he is a man of rare common sense
and has heart in him as big as an
oxen's. He made nice captivating speech
last night and won the audience. His
approaching Victor Murdoch with hand
shake as a token of his honest and earn
est support, was one CT the dramatic in
cidents of the ratification.
Although defeated Mr.. Sam Forsha still
looks like a congressman. He followed
Mr.. Blaine, and although not practiced in
the art of oratory, he made very happy
little speech. He pledged the loyalty of
Reno county to Victor Murdoch and pre-
dicted the largest majority in the his
tory of that county for him. Mr.. Forsha
is one of the most elegant gentlemen in
the Seventh district and although he and
Victor Murdoch were rivals, the COM
partnership and friendship that existed
between them during the preliminary
campaign were the companionship and
friendship of brothers.
Judge Dan Banta. the man who actually
started the most wonderful landslide in
the history of Kansas politics at Great
Bend Thursday. was the next speaker.
Judge Banta is one OF the most earnest
men on earth as well as being one of the
most unselfish. He made speech of
great force and eloquence and left an i'm
preston upon a Wichita audience that will
not be forgotten soon. The partnership
OF head and heart spoken OF by Vice~
Murdoch began in Judge Banta probably
fifty years ago and is so prosperous today
that there is not a nook or corner in the
Seventh district that he has not friends in.
His tribute TO Victor Murdoch and his
avowal of loyalty to his standard was
a very pretty and touching incident of
the ratification meeting.
w. c. Edwards of this city, our own
RiIly" as he Is called, secretary or
state, and one of the promoters OF a great
project. the Orient railway, was the next
speaker He announced that he would
give a silk flag with Victor Murdoch 8
name in gold letters in it, and costing not
| less than 800, to the county that would
| give the candidate the greatest increase
| over the majority given last fall. Mr..
Edwards has taken great interest In the
success of Victor Murdoch and was one
o fthe brainiest workers in his plan Of
campaign.
Mr.. Marry Holloway of Larned, was the
! next speaker He spoke briefly, but said
some very nice things. Mr.. Holloway is
a merchant who is well believed by the
people of Larned for his splendid personal
qualities.
hon. Frank Grattan. like that great
namesake of his whose genius fills the
pages of Irish history. is name OF great
eloauence He is intensely in earnest in
everything he says and when he followed
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