The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-10-14
llyln AND TAFT N BANQUET
HuyAI.s FOR THE PRESIDENCY
DINE TOGETHER.
a3ns,quct Hall Of Auditorium Hotel
n Chlcago scene of Remarkable
Incident Last Evcning. when STAN
<narvl ncArcrs Of Two Leading Po-
1ieScal Parties Met and Discussed
! xrc~cus Day Problems.

Chicago. H.. Oct 7.--w. J. Bryan
ana w. II. TAFT. rival candidates for
ths Presidency OF the United States.
met tonight at the fouyth annual ban
qust OF the Chicago Association Of
Commerce. The meeting Is said to
have been the frat Of Its kind.
Mr.. Bryan having been In Chicago
ali day. wss the hrst to arrive at the
Banquet hall IN the Auditorium Hotel.
Mr. Taft having delivered a speech at
Ahe opening Of the Deep Waterways
Convsntion in the forenoon went to
0alssburg. M. TO- deliver another ad-
Aress during the afternoon and return
% 20 Chicago tonight after the ban
qust was well under way.
Intense interest In the meeting had
been manifested since II frst became
known that the two candidates were
% meet In public. and every seat In
the banquet hall was occupied when
thb FIRST course was served. save only
commodious chair reserved for Mr..
Tar.
AT the speakers table during the
~psech making were the following:
Lara stts McwillIams. ". II. His-
sfnbotham. John ". Fsrweli. Walter
n. wilson. representing Mayor
Bmse.) DR.. Emil q. Hirsch. David r.
Forgan. Mr.. Taft. President Richard
Q. HALL Of the Chicago Association Of
Cbmmerce: Mr. Bryan. A. c. Bartlett.
0overnos.p peheen. of Illinois; John q.
Bhcdd. Charles II. wacker. President
. Kavansugh. OF the Deep Waterways
AHociation. and Don Farnsworth..
An ear-spiitting shout gave warning
sf the arrival OF Mr.. Taft. Mr.. Bryan
On common with everyone else. rose
and looked toward the entrance. A
huge frame. moving like q ship
Amonsst . swarm Of tugs. was NOV
Inc slowly up the narrow aisle be-
kween two tables. l4..
Those ut a distance occasionally
could catch . glimpse OF a smiling
face acknowledging greetings. A po-
+, liccman IN uniform and officers In
plain clothes aided In the progress OF
the distinguished guests. ~
Mr.. Bryan. who had ceased In the
destruction OF some sort Of a chop
uuey. masquctading under a French
4 name. turned his head slowly as his
yoliticai rival drew near, smiling
slightly. The dramatic moment,
which had been anticipated with such
deep interest was soon over. Mr.. Bryan's
hand awaited that OF MT. Taft. A sin
gic. lingering pressure. word or 30
which mono could overhear because
Of the tumult and the Republican
ieadcr passed on to chair Mt the
right OF Mr.. HALL The cheering con-
sinued for minute or so after those
at the speakers table had taken their
seats. At the first moment the noise
subsided Mr. Bryan. leaning to one
aide and smiling broadly. asked Mr.
Taft " he had had good day.
This display OF friendiiness on the
part OF the two candidates stirred the
crowd to renewed cheering. and words
were useless In the din. Mr. Taft
stroked Shis throat for answer. Then
Mr.. Taft laughed and the applause in
CREASED.
whats the matter with Bili?"
cried someone In stentorian tone.
'He's all right"
"who's all right?"
~rnrs all right"
NJ took music by the orchestra and
n sons ty the guests TO restore q
semblance Of quiet. When talking In
ordinary tones became possible the
two ct,aidates entered into an anil
mated conversation, In which Presi-
dent Hall joined. The speeches of
both Mr. Taft and Mr.. Bryan were
non-partisan. This was In consonance
with the wishes OF the Chicago AS
soc,ation OF Commerce. which is a
nor. partisan Organization.
when the last course OF the dinner
had been served both Of the distin-
guished guests were kept busy sign
Ing menu cards. which were passed
over the mat OF orchids In front Of
tholr section OF the speakers table.
Meantime the banquet hall remained
In good-natured disorder. The or
ches,ra played necessarily. but tho
music was almost drowned In the
babel OF shoats and song. Through
a. nf the two candidates iab,red with