The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1908-10-01
St, Louis, Mo, Sept, rs, 1908

81, LOUIS, MO, sept. IS, l9oo'
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-
vidcd 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 ad-
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 ISo largest cities in the
union.
Mayor Wells also stated that while
he had not voted for Bryan either
i'll the election of 1896 or 1000 be-
cause his conscience directed other
wise, he wotiid this year enthusiastic
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
crty 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-
ieated, but after viewing eastern con-
s'itions and talking with all classes
he was convinced that Bryan would
he triumphantly elected in Novcm-
Der.
Democratic Banquet.
The climax and principal feature OF
the meeting in St. Louis today was
lie enormous banquet at the Plan
tcrS Hotel. This. the largest dining
hall in St. Louis, was filled with six
hundred editors and Democratic
leaders. Eloquent and stirring
speeches were made by Hon. John
Il. Atwood, head of the speakers
bureau of the National Committee;
l!0n. Charles w. Knapp, editor of
tie St. Louis Republic, and Mayor
hern OF Beleville, Illinois. The au-
aicncc was enthused from beginning
to 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
oied Herbert S. Hadley, the Republi-
can nominee, in a speech fiat 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 as those employed
by Mr.. Hadley in his opening speech,
hut he left no possible excuse for any
Democrat to vote for Hadley, who he
said boosted as trust buster and the
criorcer of the liquor laws, with Wal
ter s. Dickey, head of the sewer pipe
trust. his personally selected manager
from Kansas City, and Otto +. Site
fel. the famous brewer, who pledged
A part of the wine cellar slush fund
of 1904. his leader in the city of St
Louis.
The text of Mr.. Cowherd's sneech
follows, and after that will be found
the speech by Hon. Charles W.
Knapp; also, statement about the
proven forgery of the Cleveland ar
ticle on Taft, which the Republican
National Committee has circulated
throughout the United States with
Bryan's speech at Topeka on Guaran
tced Banks, which speech is said te
be in more demand than any othel
document of-the campaign.