Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-10-02
Judge Taft in Dakota.

Taft. Eighty Cantonites were aboard
the train when it pulled out m by
the time it reached Mitchell every
coach was filed.
Mitchell was full Of people and the
decorations we're elaborate, every
window in the business part OF town
had a picture of Judge Taft. The
corn palace is handsomer than ever
and the city was in holiday attire to
greet the next president of the ma
| ton.
The Taft special arrived at 1.3O and
he with a distinguished escort were
taken to the speakers stand near the
northwestern depot where he was in
troduced by Governor Crawford.
Judge Taft's voice was not in good
shape but he spoke over an hour to
an immense crowd and thousands
we're unable to hear. He made a
speech that won the confidence or
the crowd and was cheered frequently.
At 2:3O the Taft party was taken
to the train in autos and o o after
the trip to Sioux City began. On the
special with Judge Taft were Gov.
Crawford, Senator Gamble, Ex-Con-
gresham Martin, Senator Wesley,
United States Attorney Wagner,
q S. Marshall Bullock, National
Committeeman Thomas Thorson,
State Chairman w. @. Cook, Ex-Gov.
Elrod, Speaker CLANCY, Hon. A. O.
Ringsrud, Hon. J. d. Elliot, Hon. S. G.
Policy, and the Editor Of the LEADER
formed part of the escort from Nit
chell to Sioux City. Besides these
Dakota hustlers there were the men,
bers Of the Taft party numbering
about 30, all under the immediate
charge of Col. Ransdell, Sergeant at
arms Of the United States Senate, a
one armed veteran of the civil war
and a very genial gentleman, with
whom we enjoyed a review OF war
times. Everything moved like clock
work and-the big crowds at Parkston,
Trip, Scotland, L~esterville and
Yankton gave the next president a
lScuulu hdhOuu "OiCollC'
A magnificent reception was ten
dered Judge Taft at Yankton, but
his voice was husky. Congressman
Bede of Minnesota closed the speech
making at Yankton, and Bede is a
hummer. He is the funniest man in
the present house Of representatives.
The first stop after leaving Yank-
ton was at Vermillion where a great
crowd assembled at the depot and
generously cheered Judge Taft.
After leaving Vermillion we all en-
joyed a splendid supper and finished
in time to hear a brief speech at Elk
Point, where Hon. e. G. Erikson
joined the party and with him came
the Taft reception committee from
Sioux City, a hustling happy bunch
of enthusiastic republicans.
The special reached Sioux City at
1870, and it seemed as if half the pop
~ulation of the western Iowa Metro
polls was out % hear Judge Taft's
great speech in the Union depot train
shed, but thousands were unable to
get within a block Of the speaker.
Editor Perkins of the Journal presid-
ed. Gov. Crawford was also accord
ed a magnificent reception at the
close of a great speech.
Judge Taft is the first republican
candidate for the presidency to visit
South Dakota, and to the writer he
said: "You have a beautiful state
full Of splendid men and handsome
women, overlooking with agricultural
wealth and a population full of ener-
Icy and PRIDE"
Judge Taft is a most genial gentle
man, and like President Roosevelt
feels pride in being one of the people
and likes to be called Bill. There is
not even an indication of ~aristocracy
In his make up. He was just as jovial
and genial as any man in the party,
and In manner and style and action
he is more democratic than the great
Commoner from Nebraska. He is a
vote winner wherever the people see
and hear him. That he will be the
next president there is no shadow of
doubt, and his administration will
measure up in every particular with
that Of the matchless Roosevelt.
South Dakota may we'll feel proud
Of Judge Taft because he stands for
national progress and his election
means a continuation of the glorious
prosperity that our people are now en-
joying.
National Committeeman Thorson
had a lively day Of it in looking after
the comfort and convenience of the
entire Taft party and he did it well.
He knows everybody from Aberdeen
to Sioux City and is a first class mixer
and his geniality makes him good
company in such a distinguished par
tty.
The South Dakota crowd returned
home Wednesday we'll pleased with
their trip through the state with
Judge Taft.