The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1903-10-09
CROWD CANE
/. THROUGH RAIN.
TO Hear Johnson at Piqua-- --Rousing
Meeting Under The Big
~ Canvas.
RESPECTS PAID SENATOR HARDING
Special Correspondence.

Lquo, OCC. Out -tHe seCOHu JlIne
since the campaign opened at Akron
Mayor Johnson Wednesday encount-
cred rain, a perfect deluge. Both tents
were in service, one at Celina, the home
of Chas Kloeb, Democratic candidate
for state auditor, the other at Piqua, at
night. Lowering clouds which threat
ened rain all the morning didn't keep
the farmers at home and by noon
Celina's main street was thronged with
farmers while their conveyances filed
up the side streets. They were on the
ground early to catch the first glimpse
oil the famous red devil as 1t came
tearing in over the broad pike. from
Wapakoneta, Mayor Tom L. at the
steering wheel as usual. All that could
be seen Of the mayor was his cap and
broad smiling face, down which the
water was running in little streams.
An immense tarpaulan covered the
whole machine and its occupants, ex-
cept their heads, which projected
through holes provided in the covering.
Nothing wet about me except my
face" exclaimed the mayor jovially III
response to an anxious query from
local committeeman. This is the spice
of Red Deviling," he added.
The Celina meeting had been sched-
uled for z o'clock and as the carminc
flyer had delayed the mayor by hesi-
tating at all the pools of water on the
road the party repaired to the tent
without any further waste Of time The
weather undoubtedly kept many of the
townspeople at home but the farmer
had come to hear Mayor Johnson and
they came out from the stores and
doorways and followed him through
the rain to the canvas auditorium
which was pitched about block from
the court house. When Mr.. Johnson
rose to speak he faced an audience O.
5000 people. In the overland trip
from Kenton stops were made at many
small places and brief talks made to
small crowds which had assembled,
word having been telephoned ahead
that tho Red DeviP' was headed their
waysh At Forest the mayor encountered
an amusing character who introduced
himself as James Fisher. better known
as Cyclone JIM" ''Tom," he cried,
elbowing his way through the crowd
to the auto, 'T want to shake your paw
and tell you that love Mark Hanna
better than hound loves sweet milk"
Good for you; he's lovabe man.
personally" laughed the mayor, shak
ing hands.
what" exclaimed Fisher starting
back in surprise, 81 didn't expect you'd
agree with me on that. suppose you
know him pretty well?"
known him for twenty years and
never agreed with him in politics. bust
ness or religion, except once. and then
! was wrong"
"And you're wrong this time" said
Fisher. What are you trying to de-
self, 'aint your"
torted the mayor, but don't complain
of Hannas wealth. / think he made
his money honestly"
"Well I'll say as much for you," re-
piled Fisher 81 guess you 'aint such
a bad feller."
Thanks" laughed the mayor, and
the crowd cheered Justify.
At Piqua, last night, where the tent
was packed as 1t is every night, Mr..
Johnson devoted the major part of his
time to two-cent railroad fare and Sen
ator Hanna's use Of his political power
to help his own private interests and
those Of his friends. "A few shots were
also taken at Senator Harding, the
Republican nominee for lieutenant
governor.
Senator Harding is now going about
the state defending the Cincinnati
steal" said the mayor, "and telling the
people that he is proud of his vote for
that measure, the most dastardly piece
of legislation that was ever lobbei
through a legislature. If he comes
down your way ask him how 1t hap
pened that he experienced such
change Of heart. I'd ask him If he
came into my meetings or IL he would
let me into his.
Senator Harding made speeches
against the Cincinnati steal when il
was pending before the senate. But
he suddenly made trip to Cleveland
and then he went to Columbus and
voted for the steal He Is now the
nominee on the Republican ticket for
lieutenant governor. don't know
whether there is any connection be-
tween his present position and his vote
for the Cincinnati steal. but | have a
right to be suspicious. Mr. Harding
should explain" '''n
Taking up Senator Hanna's com
plant that the Democratic party
wants to tax franchises Mayor John
son called attention to bit of history
that was made by Theodore Roosevelt
when he was governor OF New York.
The legislature of the Empire state
passed a bill taxing railroads accord
ing to their selling value---taxing their
franchises; in other cords making
them pay taxes on their valuable pub
lie irivileges.
''Wall street had spasms." said the
mayor, "and all the monopolistic in
terests Joined in long LOUD cry to
Roosevelt MT to sign tina. hill, But
Roosevelt sls',ed the Hi and It is now
a law. We a'r trying 10 do the same
tang In Ohio aid you hear the same