Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-10-26
Republicans ':''|
Presented,
Refuse

What will be remembered as the
most notable rally of the present cam
paign in Fergus county was held ii
the opera house last evening. It was
a magnificent audience that greeted
the present congressman from Mon
tana and the man who will succeed
him and Judge Henry G. Smith, who
will be elected next month as asso-
ciate justice of the supreme court.
The crowds commenced to gather as
soon as the doors were opened, and
by the time Judge e. K. Cheadle cal
led the meeting to order, the hall was
packed and there was not even stand
ing room except in the hallway lead
ing to the stage. The rally was pre-
ceded by torchlight procession, and
in spite of the heavy rain storm a
crowd of enthusiastic Republicans
gathered and the supply of torches
was quickly exhausted. Fully so men
who intended to carry the fiambeaux
could not obtain torches at all and
were left on the sidewalk, while a
hind the torch bearers and marched
through the mud with the Cottonwood
brass band at the head playing inspir-
ing airs.
Seated on the stage at the opera
house with Judge Cheadle and the
speakers Oftheevening were most of tn {
Republican candidates on the county
ticket, Chairman ]. G. Huntoon, Sec
retary J. M. Croft and others promi-
nent in the party. The meeting from
beginning to end was in striking con-
trast to the last Democratic rally at
the same place, and the enthusiasm
of the audience was shown all the
way through. While Mr.. Walsh wore
his audience out by $3.50, the crowd
remained last night until after II
o'clock, and was not anxious to ..a.e
then.
Judge Cheadle made some fitting in
trOductory remarks, and then introduc.
ed as the first speaker Montana's next
congressman, Charles N. Pray, of Fort
Benton. The candidate was cheered
as he arose, and he carried his audi.
ence with him from the start. It was
his first appearance in this city as a
political speaker, and he proved him
self not only to be an orator of great
power, but a man thoroughly equipped
for his task and with a vast store OF
information upon all the questions OF
the day. His presentation of the is.
sues of this campaign was mastery
and the sophistries of "the great logic
ian," Mr.. Walsh, were torn to tatters
Addressing himself specially to Mr.
Walsh's peculiar argument that the
way to support Roosevelt was to elect
Democratic congressman and sena
tor, Mr.. Pray showed the attitude OF
the Democratic leaders toward the
president, and made it perfectly clear
that the design of the Democrats IN
this campaign was to secure control
Of congress for the sole purpose Of ty
ing the presidents hands, and paving
the way for the election of a Demo
cratic president to succeed him. Mr.
Pray's fine peroration was as finished
a bit of oratory as has ever been heard
in this city-a classic delivered with
all the fervor Of man whose hear
is in his work. The cheers that fol
lowed the conclusion Of Mr.. Pray's
mastery address showed plainly tn.
impression he had made upon his au
ditors.
Judge Henry G. Smith was next in
troduced and made a very brief bu
witty address. The Judge made scarce
ly a reference to politics. holding tina
candidates for judicial position
should keep aloof from partisan dis
cussions, but he produced very IA
vorable impression on his audience
He was followed by Frank e. Smith
candidate for county attorney, who di!
cussed very briefly the local issue!
and pledged himself, If elected, to er
force all the laws in all parts of tn
county.
Henry M. Rae was the next speaker
and he, too, was brief, but in the fe'
minutes occupied by him crowded HON
a great truth and showed the folly c
making any change from Republica
to Democratic policies at this time. NJ
Rae made decided hit with his aud
encc.
Miss Mabel Baker, daughter of R.
Baker, Republican candidate for she
if, then favored the audience wit
a cornet solo, her performance bein
artistic, and winning hearty applause
Miss Lena Newell, Republican cand
date for superintendent Of schools, wa
introduced by Judge Cheadle in
witty speech, and Miss Newell mad
good" Her remarks were brief, b,