The Topeka state journal., 1909-02-23
FOLEY IS AT HEAD
Rice County Representative
President Kansas Democrats.
Last Nights Banquet One Of
Most Successful.
ALL BUBBLING OVER.
Cheers and Applause Breaks Out
at Least PrOVOcatiOn.
Congressman BOrland'S Speech
an Eloquent One.
ALL BUBBLING OVER

Two hundred and forty Democrats
gathered around the festive board of
the Masonic temple last night to do
honor to the party and to the natal
day of the Father of his Country"
It was undoubtedly the largest and best
spirited Democratic banquet ever held
in Topeka, with the exception of the
one of a year ago, at which William
Jennings Bryan was the guest of honor
and principal speaker.
That it was an enthusiastic gathering
was evident to all who attended. why
1t should be SO in the face OF the 1act
of repeated Democratic reverses at the
polls is hard to understand, buI II was
nevertheless. and every Democrat pres
ent swore increased allegiance to the
party of Thomas Jefferson. and express
ed the hope of success two years hence
when the party would again come pc
fore the people for endorsement.
The enthusiasm knew no bounds:
When the orchestra struck the tune Oh
Marching Through Georgia, the ap-
pIause was great, but when the STIR
ring strains of Dixie were sounded the
applause was tremendous. The name OF
the thrice defeated presidential candl-
date of the party, William jennings
Bryan, was the signal for prolonged
evidences of approval Nearly every
speaker took occasion to refer to the
great commoner. Should the NepraS-
kan again head the national ticket, 1t
is a certainty that he Will have the UNI
ted support of Kansas Democracy.
The banquet was notable one from
many standpoints- There was dearth
of the states Democratic leaders. Hugh
p FarreIly, w. H. Pepperell. Jerry Bot
kin. Taylor Riddle. Barney Sheridan
and a host of other shining lights of
the party could not attend. But their
absence was offset by the younger
crowd who made up in Oratory and en-
thusiasm for the absentees. Henderson
Martin, w. H. Kemper, Bill Sapp,
Frank FARRELL and a few others or the
staunch supporters of the party were
on hand, and helped to make the ban
Quet q success.
The younger crowd made a great hit
with the party veterans. ]. NJ. Sim
rlinger of Kansas university, John r.
Martin of the State Agricultural col
son of the State Normal were young
speakers who made good from the start.
Each of the trio represents college
organization for the promotion of De
mocracy which could augur naught but
good for the party
Kansas Democracy was fortunate last
night in discovering two new stars in
the persons of John H. Martin of Man
haitian, and z. Z. Haney of Fontana-
Both are young speakers and are pol
ished orators. Mr.. Martin especially
proved himself a great public speaker,
as we'll as an orator in the truest sense
of the word.
BorIand Made Hit.
The real hit of the evening. however,
was the address of Congressman Bor-
land of Kansas City, who talked on
'.Dominant Democracy" Mr.. Borland
proved himself a great orator and his
numberIess witticisms a the expense
of the Republican party were well re-
ceived He reviewed the public issues
of the day at length. showed the su-
periority of the principles of Democra-
cy, and the weaknesses of the Repub-
Ucan party. He was warmly applauded
at every stage of his address, and when
he had finished, the auditors were
forced to a realization of the fact that
they had heard a great speech.
Ladies were well represented at the
banquet, probably so being in attend
ance This was an innovation at the
Democratic banquet a year ago, and has
proven popular. The banquet was diff
terent from some banquets of a politi-