The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1908-10-14
BRYAN AND TAFT
Fellow Guests at the Chicago
Association Dinner
EXCHANGE GREETINGS
In Friendly Fashion and Engage in
Mutually Animated Conversation
as Two Gentlemen Would Who had
Met to Discuss Present Day Prob
lens With Mutual Friends.

lens With Mutual Friends.
William J. Bryan and William II
Taft, rival candidates for the presi
dency of the United States me
Wednesday night at the fourth an
nual banquet Of the Chicago AS
sociation Of Commerce. The meetins
is said to have been the first of it;
kind.
Mr.. Bryan, having been in Chicago
all day, was the first to arrive al
the banquet hall in the Auditorium
hotel. Mr.. Taft having delivered 4
speech at the opening of the Deer
Waterway convention in the fore.
noon, went to Galesburg, ILL.,, to de
liver another address during tbs
afternoon, and returned to Chicago
tonight after the banquet was wei!
under way.
Intense interest in the meeting had
been manifested since it FIRST be-
came known that the two candidates
were to meet in public, and evecy
seat in the banquet hall was occu-
pied when the first course was served
save only a commodious chair reserv-
ed for Mr.. Taft,
At the speakers table during the
speech-making were the following:
Lafayette McWilliams, H. n. Higgin-
botham, John V. Farwell, Walter H
Wilson representing Mayor Busse?,
DR.. Emil G. Hirsch, David R. Forgan.
Mr.. Taft, President Reinhardt C.
Hall Of the chamber of commerce,
Mr.. Bryan, A. c Bartlett, Governor
Deneen Of IlliEcis. Jorn G. Shedd,
Charles H. Wacker, President Kav-
anaugh Of the Deep Waterways as
sociation and Don Farnsworth.
An ear-splitting shout gave. warn
ing of the arrival Of Mr.. Taft. Mr.
Bryan, in common with every one
else. rose and looked toward the en-
trance. A huge frame, moving like
ship amongst swarm of tugs, was
moving slowly up the narrow aisle
between two tables. Those at dis
tance occasionally could catch 6
glimpse of smiling face acknowledg-
ing greetings. A policeman in uni
iorm and assistants in plain clothes
aided in the progress of the distin-
guished guest. Mr. Bryan, who had
ceased on the destruction OF some
sort Of chop suey masqueradins
'nder a French name, turned his
head slowly as his political rival
drew near, smiling slightly. The
dramatic moment which had been an
ticipated with such deep interest was
soon over. Mr.. Bryan's hand await
e6 that of Mr.. Taft. A-slngle ling
ering pressure, word or so which
none could overhear because Of the
tumult, and the Republican leader
passed on to a chair at the right
Of Mr.. Hall. The cheering continued
for minute or so after those 81
the speakers table had taken their
seats. At the first moment the noise
subsided Mr.. Bryan, leaning to one
side and smiling broadly, asked Mr..
Taft If he had had good day.
This display Of friendly feeling on
the part Of the two candidates stirred
the crowd to renew cheering an /
words were useless in the din. M.
Taft stroked his throat for an answer.
Then Taft laughed and the applause
increased.
what is the matter with Bill?
cried some in stentorian tones.
Hes all right.
who's all right?'
"Bill's all right.
It took music by the orchestra AMI
a song by the guests to restore .
semblance Of quiet. When talking
in ordinary tones became possible the
two candidates entered into an ami
mated conversation. in which Prest-
dent Hall joined. The speeches OF
both Mr.. Taft and Mr.. Bryan were
nonpartizan. This was in conform!-
ty with the wishes Of the Chicago
Association Of Commerce, which i:
nonpartizan organization.
Besides Mr.. Taft and Mr.. Bryan
the speakers Of the evening were
a. C. Bartlett and David r. Eorgan,
Mr. Bartlett was the. first speaker
and Mr.. Forgan was sandwichcc De-
tween Mr.. Bryan and Mr.. Taft. IL
introducing Mr. Bryan, President
Hall said: .
GAS I look upon my distinguished
associates I am forced to resort tc
the familiar provestation OF the per
picked lover. How happy could
be with either, were t'other deal
cnarmer away The evolution OF
politics has brought TO command
ling place in the eyes and regard G!
his countrymen a citizen of Ne
braska. His life has been an honor
able progress from the day he re