The Washington herald., 1908-08-22

Hot Springs. Va, Aug. H--BefOre a
crowd OF 400 Virginians here this after
noon Mr. Taft answered Mr.. Bryaa-s
question, shall the people ruler
The candidates reply. was that the peo-
pie have ruled through the Republican
party, they ruled in 1856. when they re-
5ected Bryan and his free silver fslIacy;
they ruled IN 1900. when they again turned
down the Nebrasksn and his anti-impe-
rialism issue. and they ruled in 1864. when
they defeated the Democratic nominee
and ,his paramount issue OF Executive
usurpation.
Mr. Taft's speech also included an ap-
peal 10 Southern Republicans 70 lift the
party in the South above its present rep
utation Is a mere patronage-seeking Or
ganization; and he pointed out they could
Go this by nominating for Office men %
high cauber. who would command ths
support OF independent Democrats. re-
gardless Of party lines The present, II
NJ. Taft's opinion. IS an exceptional op-
portunity for the Republicans 70 break
into the solid South. and he believes !
change IS coming
Was Unique Gathering.
Tie meeting here to-day was UNIQUE in
the history OF the Tle,s-stsCaa party
Never before had the people of Virginia
had an opportunity 20 meet and greet q
Republican nominee for President on
their own soil. And the welcome which
they gave 20 M Taft was q caution
They had 20 contend. IN the drst place
with poor rajl-ead facilities The -=p-r
r-iunlng up q Hot Springs from c. sng-
ton. a distance z t--enty-fve ui.l-. u .
single track and there are scarcely any
siLiuEs.
Early in the morning the officers q tire
Chesapeake and Obio Railway sent OUT
word 10 their agents that s.cFs tickets had
been sold and that they could acco-uo-
date II more Represe1rarive SIe-p and
other state leaders estimated that Il the
meeting had been held on the main line
Of the road fully 110o5 would have turn
ID out As it was four special trains
were run into Hot Springs.
Many Came in Rigs.
Probably L1ll persons drove IN over ths
mountains and most Of them in rigs or
ancient vintage Not a few told M Taft
as they eripped Els hand that they had
footed 1t ten OF fifteen miles. When the
crowd arrived they were Up against a
pretty hard proposition IN the eating line
All Of the summer hotels threw their
dining rooms open an hour OF two before
the regular time Those who felt Ike
spending $50 for luncheon were cared
for pretty well at these places, but the
folks who came down from the mountains
with g whole lot Of respect for a dollar
bin had 10 depend on one OF two scaaty
sandwich counters
delegation from Stanton brought
with them the Stonewau Brigade Brass
Band This Is the best known band in
the South.
Played for Mckinley.
In 1895 it made q pilgrimage 70 Canton
TO play for Mckinley and later appeared
al his Inauguration Two Of the charter
members Of the band hobbled along to-
day footing as Justify as the spryest
yOungster in the lot But the most re-
markable thing about this Stonewau
Jackson Band IS that eight Of the twen-
ty-four players IN Il are going 10 vote
for Taft The band LED the way 10 the
baseball field, where 8 speakers stand
had been erected. about 3 o'clock in the
afternoon When Mr.. and !. = Taft ap-
peared It struck up Dixie I that vas
the beginning OF an afternoon which for
real enthusiasm has never yet been
equaled IN Mr. Taft's political exper-
fence.
The crowd was wedged IN around the
speakers stand. and when the candidate
and his wife. headed by the reception
committee. attempted TO make their way
through a narrow lane. they found them
selves surrounded by hundreds who in
sisted on shaking hands AIr- Taft tried
to assure the crowd that they would have
an opportunity later. but Dixie and the
cheering was too much for him and hs
yielded Il was several minutes before
he and Mrs. Taft could reach the stand
As. the candidate mounted the platform
he was greeted with calls OF Hello.
Biz and We are sbo' glad 70 see yo-,
Bnl.'
The Taft smile in acknowS Ssagment
brought another round Of cheers
Representative Sienp was the first
speaker. He mentioned that this was the
first time Virginians had ever had the
opportunity 10 greet a Republican nomi-
nee. and then added that Il was doubly
pleasing in this case because Ohio was
formerly a part OF the Old Dominion. and
her people are kindred This sympa-
thetic touch tickled the Virginians and
they whoOped it W again
Representative Slemp. in his address.
referred TO Bryan's slogan, Shall the
people ruler can IL be possible" said
he. that the Democratic candidate had
reference 10 the political situation in Vir-
giniaz Does he not know that under
existing laws 90 per cent Of the white and
Continued on Page ,, Column 1.