The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1906-07-12
HOCH MADE GOOD
AS A LECTURER
Governor Of Kansas Avoided Politics
In His Speech at the Chautau-
qua Yesterday

Governor Hoch's lecture yesterday
afternoon on nThis Country Of Ours
was, according to the testimony Of
most Of those who heard ii, the best
feature Of the Chautauqua thus far.
That is saying a great deal, Of course,
for there have been many rnost excel
lent attractions. However, certain it
is that the governor had the audience
with him from the time he got warmed
up until the end Of his speech.
That is great compliment to his
ability as speaker, too, for no man
who will appear before the Chautau-
qua viii come with such prejudice
against him as existed here against
Governor Hocn on account Of his ac-
tion in bringing the Katy suit. He
was wise enough, however, not TO at
tempt to touch upon this subject In
his speech.
He was introduced by Q. B. Rogers
in shoyo but forceful speech. Mr..
Rogers said that the governor would
not make a political speech, not hav-
ing come for that purpose. Besides,
he continued, the Republicans need
make no answer to Champ Clark Is
speech; it is sufficient for them tc
stand on their record Mr.. Rogers
paid high tribute to Kansas for hei
leadership in the fight for economic
and political progress, and to Governor
Hoch for being the leader In that
movement.
The governor put the people in a
sympathetic mood by the 6rst few
stories he told. In the language OF
the small boy, he's q crackerjack at
telling stories. He said he brought
from Kansas a message of state pride,
and the hope that Oklahomans will be
as proud Of their state as the Kansans
are Of theirs, and with as good reason
But there is, said the governor, a
greater and grander pride than state
pride, there is national pride. He
went on to point out how great this
country Of ours is geographically,
economically and politically, but in
sisted that true greatness consists not
in these things, but in the character
of a nations institutions and people.
Here he digressed from his subject,
as he had warned his hearers he would
do, long enough to explain that, in his
opinion, modern science, instead OF
destroying is making faith In the
Bible easy lie paid glowing
tribute to the old Book.
Coming back to his subject, lie
pointed out that American iustitu-
tions permit a man to make the best
that there is in him. Any man here,
who has the gift, can become rich.
The ability to amass a fortune, he de-
clared, is as much gift as the ability
to write poem; but it is not the lest
gift, but rather the poorest, that man
can have
Ii was along in this part Of his
speech that he explained why Secre-
tary Taft is the politest man in Amer
lea. One time while riding in a Wash
ington street car he got up and gave
his seat to three ladies.
tNo man" he said, "has right to
live in government unless he con
tributes something Of character to
that government. The perpetuity Of
our free institutions depends upon the
character Of the average American
citizen, and the character Of the aver
age American citizen depends upon /
shurch and school and home.
He declared, though this was un-
for his whole speech and
manner proclaimed it, that he is an