New-York tribune., 1908-10-08
TAFT AND BRYAN
MEET In CHICAGO
RTT4L CANDIDATES On
FRIENDLY TERMS.
Both Guests at Dinner of Association
of Commerce-Pohtics AUoided
in Speeches.
in Speeches.
nv telegraph to The Tribune ]

o.
j. Bryan, rival candidates for President met
and shook hands at the dinner OF the ChicaSo
Association of Commerce tonight. MIR Bryan
having been in Chicago all day. was the first to
arrive at the hall in the Auditorium Hotel Mr
Taft having delivered speech at the opening
of the Deep Waterways Convention in the fore
noon, went to Galesburg to deliver another al
dress in the afternoon. and returned to chicago
tonight after the dinner was well under way
Intense interest in the meeting had been mani
tested since it first became known that the two
candidates were to meet In public, and every
seat in the three halls. thrown together for the
occasion was occupied when the first course
was served save only commodious chair re-
served for Mr.. Taft
An ear splitting shout gave warning Of the
arrival of Mr.. Taft. Mr.. Bryan. in common
with every one else. rose and looked toward the
entrance. huge frame, moving like snip
among a Of tugs, was advancing slowly
up the narrow aisle between two tables Those
at a distance occasionally could catch glimpse
of a smiling face acknowledging greetings A
policeman in uniform and assistants In plain
clothes aided in the progress Of the guest Mr.
Bryan turned his head slowly as his pollt1cal
rival drew near smiling slightly.
The dramatic moment which had been awaited
with such deep interest was soon over. Mr. Bry-
ans hand awaited that of Mr. Taft. single In
gering pressure word or so which none could
overhear because of the tumut, and the Repuo-
lican leader passed to chair at the right OF
MI Hall, the president of the association. The
cheering continued for a minute or so after
those at the speakers table had taken their
seats AS soon as the noise subsided Mr.. Bryan,
leaning to side and smiling broadly asked
Mr. Taft if he had had good day.
This display Of frendliness on the part Of the
two candidates stirred the diners to renewed
cheering and words were useless in the din
Mr. Taft stroked his throat for answer. Then
he laughed and the applause increased
What's the matter with Bin?" cried some one
in stentorian tones.
Hes all right"
who's all right?"
'Bilrs all right
II took music by the orchestra and a song by
the guests to restore 2 semblance of quiet
When talking in ordinary tones became posi-
Bile the two candidates entered into an animated
conversation in which President Hall joined
The speeches of both Mr.. Taft and Mr.. Bryan
were non-partisan. This was in consonance with
the wishes Of the Chicago Association of Com
merce which is a non-paTtisan organization
At the speakers table besides Mr.. Taft and
Mr. Bryan were Lafayette McWilliams, Theo-
dore p Shonts. H. H. Higginbotham. John ".
Farweu Walter H. Wilson representing Mayor
Busse) DR. Emil G. Hirsch. David r. Forgan.
President Richard c. Hall of the Chicago Asso-
citation of Commerce, A. c. Bartlett, Governor
Deneen of Illinois. John G. Shedd Charles H
Wacker, President Kavanaugh of the Deep
Waterways Association and Don Farnsworth
MR. BRYAN's SPEECH
Mr. Bryan was cheered as he rose to speak
He said in part: .
I think that it is a good omen when we can
lay aside partisan feeling on an occasion like
this. and, forgetting the things that separate US
remember the things that numerous
and more important that unite us in the bonds
of common citizenship.
I think can see signs of progress in politics.
When | first began to run for President there
were no occasions of this kind | think note
a larger charity, broader liberality and a more
kindly feeling than has sometimes prevailed in
the past Here the chairmen of the representa-
tive committees meet, willing, even in the heat
of the campaign to pause for moment IN the
giving out of estimates. Here the treasurers OF
the respective committees suspend for moment
the investigation of the business conditions Of
those who send in CHICKS And here two dis
tingushed citizens at large meet. both uncertain
as to which will be confirmed We shall carry
away delightful recOllectrons of this occasion,
for whatever the election may show, we may
remember one occasion when we were treated
with equal consideration.
I am glad to meet at this board one who has
been honored by his party with leadership in a
great campaign. l am glad TO testify TO my
appreciation of his abilities and his virtues II
I am successful the victory will be the greater
to have won from SUCH and if 1 am defeated
the sorrow will be less to have been defeated by
such
Mr. Taft whose rising was greeted with
cheers. prefaced his prepared speech with a few
impromptu remarks, which caused laughter. He
said:
I have only begun to run for the Presidency,
and l am glad to begin when the political
amenities of the campaign are better under
stood.
| I am exceedingly glad to meet my distin-
! guiShed opponent and fellow guest. and to for
get the rivalry and disputes of the campaign in
/ cate in every way and to the full his kindly
and courteous words of respect and good Will
| With him. l have recently been subjected to
| considerable strain. But the experiences of to-
! day have been almost more than ] could bear
| One bipartisan speech is a good deal Of a
| burden when you are in other kind of prac-
| tice. And to have to make three inside of nine
| hours, l submit to my distinguished fellow
guest and opponent, is cruelty to animals.
! On behalf of distinguished fellow guest
| and myself, in view of the fact that follow
| him. I tender thanks to the citizens of Chicago
| for relieving of us in the selection of a
| Cabinet And this with entire Difference to
those other candidates for the presidency whose
engagements prevented their attendance.
MR.. TAFT ON LAWS DEFECTS.
| Mr.. Taft taking up his set speech. spoke in
/ part as follows:
In a republic like ours. under popular control,
| with the dual form of government between the
| states and the United States. there are many
politiCo-legal questions concerning the distribu
| tion of power under the federal Constitution
! between the national government and the states,
| concerning the division between the executive,
| legislative and judicial branches Of the govern
| ment and concerning the limitations upon gov
ernmental action in respect to the rights of in
| dividuals, which il undecided by some tribunal
might asiIv lead TO domestic turbulence. Under
| our Constitution as early interpreted, not. how
ever, without bitter criticism and opposition.