Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1904-09-09
LABOR DAY IN KANSAS CITY.

We wish every voter in Anderson county
could have heard the trio Of grand men that
it was OUT pleasure to listen TO last Monday, in
Kansas City. Thomas E. Watson, Populist
nominee for president; Joseph w. Folk, enemy
of Missouri boodlers and Democracy's candi-
date for governor of that state, and E. T.
Bearen, Socialist candidate for the same Office,
addressed an audience of some 1880 laboring
men in Electric park. We could not help feel
ing some surprise that three such men as
these should be invited to address an army OF
laboring men upon such an suspicious occa-
sion--Labor day. The fact seemed significant
to us. In years gone by, such thing Was un-
heard of as "howl,ng Pop" being permitted
to take part in such a celebrations 1t is but
another indication of the trend of public opin-
ion.
The speaking was advertised to begin at 2
O'Clock, and at IL, the crowd began to assemble
in the great tent erected for the purpose. Ow-
ing to breakdown on the street-car line, the
speakers and great crowds were delayed, and it
was nearly O'Clock when the distinguished
speakers took their place upon the platform.
The speakers wee introduced by Frank P.
Walsh, who made short initial address, eulo-
giving Mr. Watson and Mr. Folk for their fear
les and aggressive campaigns and their un-
swerving honesty. Mr.. Walsh begun his talk
by saying that he was one who believed that
such place ard at such time were the place
and time to talk politics. He said: "To learn
how to live is my religion, and politics is the
means of learning, as nation, how to live.
Therefore, politics is my. religion" He then
praised union labor for the concessions 1t has
obtained through organization. In conclusion,
he introduced Mr. Watson with such laudation
as few men ever receive, and as that eminent
champion of the cause of labor took the plat
form, amid the cheering could be heard such
remarks as, "Now, something's going to DROP"
"Watson is grand" etc.
Mr.. Watson looks worn, for he has been
speaking constantly, carrying on strenuous
campaign, although, unlike other strenuous
men in prominence, as he said, 81 believe, not
in the brotherhood of Cain and Abel, but in
the brotherhood of man." He then talked for
nearly an hour to the laboring men, as a labor
ing man, and when he again took his seat, his
fatigue bespoke his physical condition. Mr..
Watson would scarcely do for drawing-room
ornament He is tall and angular; hair that
would have been red had it had sufficient op-
portunity but stopped, satisfied with being
tawny; Jaw hat sets like steel.trap. His
whole face bears stern expression, tempered
with pair of the kindest eyes that ever looked
from soulzeyes, while kind, yet seemingly
reading your most secret thoughts; and with
these eyes he talks equally as mudh as with
his tongue.
After Mr.. Watson concluded, Mr.. Bearen
was introduced. He is member OF the Amerl-
can Federation of Labor; small man, phys
ically, but with mentality by no means small.
Bitter, sarcastic, vituperative, he handled the
question of Labor and Politics without gloves,
and the ovation he received at the conclusion
clinched the fact that the minds of his hearers
were in sympathy with himr
Joseph w. Folk was saved until the last.
When Mr.. Folk came forward, he received
wonderful ovation. He looked pleased. He
always looks pleased He always smiles, be-
cause his mouth is built that way-eleva'ed at
the corners. Unlike Mr.. Watson, he is a
handsome mana strong man; but when he
opeus his mouth, he is not so handsome. He
has one of those telescope mouths that folds
I'D when in repose, but, when in use, could
spread over quarter section of pie (not polit-
ical pie) without any trouble.
If Charley Wilmington would flesh up Bit
he would look 10. like Folk. BY the way,
after Charley is elected county attorney, this
f.ll he will show that he is built of the same
kind of stuff. =,
Mr. Folk is of pleasing address-not at all
progressing, but quite modest His ADDRESS
only occupied few moments, and II ala not
create the applause that his mere appearance
did. Once duling his address, he was jeered-
when he stated that "the working man of to-
dav enjovs more material luxuries OF lite than
did Henry VIII. "He owns his home"
Cries of "Where? Where?" But the address,
other than this, was quite pleasing, and merely
the notification of the straightforward business
man that he is.
Next week, we shall give few extracts
from Tom Watson's speech.