The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1910-10-21
DEMOCRATIC RALLY
LAST SATURDAY NIGHT
Col. John |. Martin of Missouri
AstoniShes Natives.
Spell Binder of National Reputa-
tion" Suddenly Called Home at
Suggestion of Local COMMITTEES
--Relic OF Ante BeiIum Days.

The democrats OF Colfax announced a
big rally to take place at the court house
Saturday night. About 150-that is q
fair estimate, not over half the seats in
the court room being occupied-~ere
present, many republicans being noted
in the audience. William Goodyear pre-
sided. Henry D. Merritt OF Spokane,
democratic candidate for congress from
this district, was first introduced, but
spoke briefly, not attempting to make
set speech. He was followed by Charles
G. Heifner Of Seattle, chairman OF the
democratic state central committee, who
also spoke briefly, evidently leaving the
Oratory for Colonel John |. Martin of
Washington, d. c., and st. Louis, Mis-
souri,, which big posters announced was
a spell binder Of national reputation"
sent out to tell the benighted denizens OF
the Pacific Northwest how to vote.
Colonel Martins official position is
sergeant-at arms of the democratic ma
tiOnal committee, it not being made
clear what need the committee, presum-
ably composed of law abiding citizens,
needs of such an officer. From the
cOlonefs combative appearance and bel
lgerent talk it is apparent that the
democratic committee stands more in
fear of it's sergeant alarms than it
does of disturbance from among it's
membership. The colonel was intro
duced as an orator of national reputa-
tion," albeit the people of this part of
the Palouse never heard of him before
and probably will never see him again.
Everybody was anxious to hear the dis
tingushed citizen from the land of hog
and hominy, but his talk soon revealed
the fact that he was more of a vote
getter for the republicans than for the
democrats. The fact is. Colonel Martin
is 40 years behind the times. The re-
construction period following the civil
war was dilated on at length, and Union
generals and the statesmen of that period
were touched up in way familiar to
those who lived at that period of our
history, but which have nothing to do
with present day conditions. He ham
mered Roosevelt and other republican
leaders, including several raps at William
l. La Toilette, republican candidate for
congress, but the audience was good
natured, republicans and democrats
alike laughing heartily at the eccentrici-
ties OF the eccentric gentleman from
Missouri. Candidate Merritt buried his
face in his hands, while State Committee
man Heifner and Chairman Goodyear
squirmed in their seats, but each smole
smile that was pleasing to behold.
Colfax was selected as the place for the
opening speech of Colonel Martin, he to
follow Monday night at Spokane and
continue his speech making until the
states of Washington, Oregon, and Cali
fornia had been covered. An innocent
looking item appeared in the Spokane
Chronicle Tuesday evening announcing
that Colonel Martin could not appear at
the rally in Spokane Monday night owing
to the fact that he had suddenly been
called east TO attend to important busi-
ness matters.
The next time the democrats have an
orator of national reputation" to offer
the Palousers they will be sure of their
man before they advertise him.