Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-10-01
St. Louis. No, Sept. IS. 1908

~. AONAos nv SNPts 30 ASeSe I
The meeting of the Democratic State
Press Association in St. Louis today
was the largest and most enthusiastic
in its history. Editors were present
from all sections of the State, and
the room in which the meeting was
held was crowded until the seats pro-
vided were not sufficient for those
present. The address Of welcome
was delivered by Mayor Wells of ST.
Louis, who gave to the newspaper
men the record of the Democratic adj
ministration in that city, showing
that it had, according to the record OF
the Census Bureau at Washington,
placed St. Louis in the front rank
among the 1850 largest cities in the
union.
Mayor Wells also stated that while
he had not voted for Bryan either
in the election of 1896 or 1900 be-
cause his conscience directed other
wise, he would this year enthusiast
cally cast his vote for the Nebraskan.
Joseph B. Shannon of Kansas City
briefly addressed the newspaper men
concerning his recent visit to Pitts
burg, Rochester and other eastern
cities. He produced facts to show
that the business depression and pow
erty in those cities has never before
been equaled, far exceeding as It does
the worst condition experienced in
the central and western states. He
said that when his trip began he
feared that Bryan would again be de-
feated, but after viewing eastern con-
ditions and talking with all classes
he was convinced that Bryan would
be triumphantly elected in Novem-
Der.
Democratic Banquet.
The climax and principal feature OF
the meeting in St. Louis today was
the enormous banquet at the Plan
tiers Hotel. This, the largest dining
hall in St. Louis, was filed with six
hundred editors and Democratic
leaders. Eloquent and stirring
speeches were made by Hon. John
II. Atwood, head of the speakers
bureau Of the National Committee;
Hon. Charles w. Knapp, editor Of
the St. Louis Republic, and Mayor
Kern OF Belleville, Illinois. The au-
dience was enthused from beginning
20 end. A like spirit OF confidence
has never before been exhibited in a
Democratic campaign.
Hon. w. S. cowherd, Democratic
nominee for Governor, literally rid
died Herbert S. Hadley, the Republic
can nominee, in a speech that will be-
come historic as one OF the finest
specimens of oratory, convincing
logic and high minded dissection OF
the barren record and claims Of his
opponent. Mr.. cowherd never for a
moment descended TO such base Ian
guage or method a. those employed
by Mr.. Hadley in his opening speech,
but he left no possible excuse for any
Democrat 10 vote for Hsdley. who he
said boasted as q trust buster and the
enforcer OF the liquor laws. with Wal
Ter S. Dickey. head Of the sewer pipe
trust, his personally selected manager
from Kansas City, and Otto F. Site
fel, the famous brewer, who pledged
part Of the wine cellar slush fund
Of 1904, his leader in the city Of 81
Louis.
The text Of Mr.. cowherd's speech
follows, and after that win be found
the speech BY Hon. Charles w,
Knapp; also, statemsnt about the
proven forgery Of the Cleveland ar
iiele on Taft, which the Republican
National Committee has circulated
throughout the United States viii,
Brsans speech at Topeka on Guaran.
iced Banks, which speech y aaid %
to II more demAnd than any other
documtrt Of the campaign