The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1908-09-29

AZ OAuSA luoL luC dSSSluUlSU
sands might hear Judge Taft, Republic
candidate for president discuss the
various issues OF the campaign, three
monster meetings were held in Grand
Forks Monday afternoon. The first of
these was held in front OF the Y. M.
G. A. on North Fifth street, where
probably the largest gathering Of
people ever seen in North Dakota,
greeted the speaker on his arrival.
At the Jack auditorium, another i'm
mense crowd heard the candidate dis
cuss tariff revision, while at the Met
ropolitan opera house a few minutes
later, he spoke to an audience which
filled the theater to it's utmost capa-
city, many being unable to gain ad-
mtttance. So dense were the crowds
during the afternoon that the great
est difficulty was experienced in handl-
ing them without trouble, the police
department, however, caring for this
work in splendid shape.
The visit of Judge Taft to Grand
Forks will be one long to be remem-
bered. 1t was, the first time he had
been in North Dakota and as he STEP
ped out on the rear platform of his
special train at the Great Northern
depot, thousands of people cheered
him to the echo. Cheer after cheer
rent the air as the candidate for the
nations highest gift was escorted
through the crowd to the Y. M. C. A.
building, where his appearance was
awaited by another monster gather
ing. The enthusiasm was remarkable,
the speaker being given tremendous
ovation. - r.. p.s4 ...> r- ~
With the thousands of people anx-
ious to hear Judge Taft talk on the
campaign issues it was decided to
hold three meetings. The first at thSs
Y. M. G. A., the second at the rink and
the third at the opera house. The
Jack auditorium was filled t. capacity
on the arrival OF the Taft party from
the Y. M. G. A., while the opera house
had been filled even before the Jack
rink.
Judge Taft was escorted directly
from the train to the Y. M. c. A. build
ing and as he stepped onto the plat
form. the mighty crowd gage cheer
after cheer. When Mayor J.YD. Tay-
lor stepped to the front of the plat
form to introduce the candidate, he
was unable to begin speaking for sew
eral minutes because Of the enthus-
iasm. Finally he was given an open
Ing, and in introducing Judge Taft, he
said:
Taylor's Introduction
Ladies' and Gentlemen; Fellow Cit
izens: We have come to welcome and
do honor to one in whose hands the
people of this nation are about to
place the reins of government for
the next four years. (Applause) He
comes for the purpose Of advancing a
principle. 1t is the principle that has
governed this nation, almost without
interruption, for the past forty-eight
years. 1t is the principle that has
given to the people of this nation
more happy homes than can be found
in any other civilized nation on the
face of the earth. 1t Is the principle
that has brought this nation from the
depths of disorganization and placed
it upon pinnacle Of prosperity; and
1t is our wish. as 1t is his wish, that
this princple be continued. Our hon
ored guest needs no Introduction. We
all know him, and I will therefore
simply announce that you are about
to have the honor of hearing the next
president of the United States discuss
the problems of the day. Honorable
William Howard Taft"
Taft's Masterful Speech
Judge Taft then arose and with the
crowd still cheering, commenced his
first address. speaking as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen: am GO
ing to ask you to permit me to keep
my hat on. My hair is quite thin and
I have got cold, and my voice is not
as clear as would Like to have it,
and do not want to make it any more
hoarse. This is tremendous crowd.
I knew you raised crops by the acre.
in North Dakota, but didn't know, you
would raise people that way. A voice:
"And they are all Republicans, too.:"
Well, hope there will be enough in
November, and that the frost will not
take the milk out Of the corn.
(Laughter.) A voice: You're all
right; Bill" I have had some doubts,
but am glad to be assured by you.
Ladies and Gentlemen: In five
minutes 1t is a little hard to state