The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-29
BIG PARADE IS HELD
 IN DOWNPOUR OF RAIN
Taft Speaks Only Few Minutes On Account of His Voice-Many Meet ines Are Held During
 the Day.

K. October 2S.-William H. Taft and Charles E. Hughes were the attractions at great republican mass meeting at Madison Square Garden tonight.
 The meeting was remarkable in more ways than one. At every mention of the name of Governor Hughes the hall re- sounded with cheering and when he en- tered the hall the crowd, which filled every available space in the auditorium cheered him for 16 minutes without stop ping. Governor Hughes made a char acteristic address which was received en- thusiastically
 But it remained for MT. Taft to inspire the great demonstration. For 1s minutes Madison Square Garden trembled from the stamping of thousands of feet and the roar of voices.
 MT. Taft tried to quell the racket, but was powerless to do so.
 When the noise ceased MT. Taft began his address His voice was hoarse but the crowd was satisfied merely to look at him and his every word was cheered.
 There were number of other speakers before Judge Taft and Governor Hughes arrived, but the throng was impatient to hear the presidential and state nom- inee
 Many Speeches Made.
 During the day MT. Taft spoke at 14 meetings, and Governor Hughes at 15. Then tonight. while the Madison Square meeting was in progress, a giant parade was vending its way in downpour of rain down through the heart of the city
 At o'clock a heavy rain set in. but this did not interfere with the crowd pesieging the entrance to the garden. By o'clock. the police had to bar all except reserved seat ticket holders
 The galleries were girdled with Amer iean flags, the dome was hidden by a mammoth American flag, and over the main entrance hung a big blue Yale banner with portraits of Taft and Sher- man on it, and in the center Yale 7S'
 band of 100 pieces kept the crowd from becoming impatient during the hour or more that elapsed before Gen. Horace Porter, who presided, called the meeting to order Stirring airs were played amid the greatest enthusiasm.
 Much Enthusiasm.
 When Senator Henry Cabot Lodge Sen ator Chauncey M. Depew, Senator William Alden Smith and State Chairman Timothy l.. Woodruff appeared the platform they were given an enthusiastic reception.
 General Porter began by saying that he had never attended such enthusiastic meeting. Then he attacked w. J. Bryan saying that he was suffering from politi- cal and financial deusions. We like to see practical man these days" he said and MT. Bryan is the personification of impracticability.
 Taking up the issue of the guaranteeing of national bank deposits, he said that MT Bryans political economy was like trying to make the government smoke 5-cent cigars when it took 10 cents worth of matches to light them.
 General Porter prophesied the election of MT. Taft. At the mention of the candi- dates name there was prolonged cheer ing, and when moment later the speak CT mentioned the name of Governor Hughes there was an outburst of cheer ing that lasted more than two minutes
 Tribute to Hughes.
 General Porter then introduced Sena- tor Lodge, who began his speech by paying a tribute to Governor Hughes and his platform, and by attacking MT. Chanler, his democratic opponent. He made a strong plea for the reelection of Governor Hughes. Taking up na- tional issues he said.
 The democratic party objects to talking about the past near or remote. They would have us judge them solely by their future which Is unknown, and which, as an assurance of conduct is unsa tisfactory. We do know that the republican party is committed to the gold standard and that under no pos sible condition would the free coinage of silver be recommended or permitted hx I,a sI, in our banking system. MT. Bryan's only contribution to this topic is to propose the guarantee of bank deposits, to make the careful honest banker re- sponsible for the doings of the banker who is careless, speculative and dis honest"
 On the tariff, Senator Lodge said the democrats themselves did not know how far they would go, and their vic tory would throw an uncertainty across the pathway of business which would hang like pail over all business en- terprises. Which of MT. Bryan's poli- cies in regard to corporations he would pursue, if elected, no one knows. and he might easily devise two or three moro between now and March A
 The senator spoke highly of Mir. Bryans personal character and elo- quence.
 He concluded with an eulogy of the republican candidate
 Mr. Lodge received a round of cheers when he foretold the election of Taft.
 Straus Speaks.
 Oscar Straus was introduced and he invited a burst of applause by alluding to President Roosevelt as the greatest President since, Lincoln. At this june ture Governor Hughes appeared in the hall. The crowd sprang to fts feet
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