The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-10-27

few words, contrasting present local
conditions with the past.
Spoke Briefly in Rain.
The president then came forward.
His vast smile again lighted up his
face. He said that he thanked the
mayor of Mankato, the governor OF
the state and the people of this
city for the cordial welcome he had
been given.
Before proceeding further with
his speech he told short anecdote.
He said in part: II feel like the
little girl who gave party. The
day she gave this little party it
rained, and when the guests were
assembled in the house she felt
too ashamed to show herself, and SO
I feel today. / am sorry that we
had this inclement weather here to-
day as the cordial reception makes
me want to talk.
had intended to speak to you
about tariff on the veto of the
wooden and cotton bill and farmers
free list and some of Tie issues
that come up before us in Wash
ington but because of the inclement
weather, / must make my speech
very short"
Tribute to State and People.
He then paid a great tribute to
the state of Minnesota. Its people
are the strongest, sturdiest kind of
manhood that he has seen in all
his thirty-nine days of the forty-six
day trip.
81 am now on the thirty-ninth
day of this forty-six day trip and
live to tell the tale. In my travels
I have found out a lot about local
government and the issues that
come up locally before the people.
So I have pretty good idea of what
they want.
eve are most homogeneous
people" was his emphatic statement.
He reiterated this at the opera
plain that he had received the same
cordial reception that he Odd two
years ago on his western trip and
the same as he did in California a
week ago.
After saying good bye to the
audience at the court house he was
whisked away to the Elks club
rooms. But when he arrived there
he heard that the opera house was
full, annd he was prevailed upon to
come to the Mankato theatre to
give ten minute speech.
Spoke in the Theatre.
Upon his arrival at the theatre he
found the house packed. On the
stage were a large number of the
invited guests. He was introduced
by Governor Eberhart who stated
that the president had kindly con-
sented to make ten minute speech
since the people were expecting him
The president again spoke of the
comfort it was to speak inside in
stead of out in the rainy weather.
He paid a tribute to the governor of
Minnesota and stated that he had
found just as hearty reception
here as he did in the state Of
California
He further went on to say II
each state takes a great pride in
its people. If one went down to
Kansas and heard the orators talk
there one would get the idea that
there was no other state in the
union, and if one went to any other
state he would hear the same thing
about that state. 1t was a natural
pride he said, and one that did
credit to the entire union
After giving a few more anecdotes
for which he received the loudest of
cheers, he said that he had been
subjected to luncheons, breakfasts
and other dinners, and yet lived
was the easiest part of the job to
make the speeches. He entertained
certain pity for the listeners, for
he had the best end of it at all
times; he could subject the audi
ence to his speech wherever he
went.
After few more remarks the
president and party went to the
Elks club.
Prominent Men Come Here.
Distinguished men from all over
the state began arriving in Man.
kato last evening. United States
Senator Nelson, United States Mar
shall w. H. Grimshaw, United States
District Attorney Haupt, Former Con-
gresham James A. Tawney. Cover
nor A. o. Eberhart came in from
st. Paul on the early evening train.
Colonel Wiley, a member of the
governors staff, reached the city
yesterday afternoon. Fred W. Nc
Intosh, secretary of the dairy and
food commission, arrived from St.
Paul yesterday afternoon. George H.
Gordon, United States District At
torney for the western district of
Wisconsin, is here. George w. Bur-
ton, cousin of Munson Burton,
manager of the Elks' club, is an
other gentleman of prominence who
came to see Taft. Mr.. Burton is
well-known banker in La Crosse.
Attorney Hayes of La Crosse, also
prominent in the legal fraternity