Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-03
Candidate Defeated for the
Presidency Says Taft Has
Greater Power Than Any
Old World King.
TRAIN DELAYED BY
DANGEROUS FLOODS
Concern Felt for Presidents
Party During Trip Yes
terday Over Tracks Weak
ened by Heavy Rains.

Lincoln, Neb., Oct. p President
Taft received cordial non-partisan
welcome to Nebraska and to Lincoln
today. William j. Bryan, rising before
the four hundred guests at the
luncheon given in President Tafts
honor proposed toast to the presi-
dent of the United States.
The toast to the president was
drunk standing and at it's conclusion,
MIR. Taft returned the compliments
which the man he defeated for the
presidency had paid him in felicitious
language.
In proposing the presidents health
Mr.. Bryan said:
Lincoln is honored today by the
presence of the highest official In the
world. The presidents position Is
greater than any kings. His authority
is more vast than any civilized people
would entrust to an hereditary ruler,
and he holds the place, not by accident
Of birth, but by the suffrage of his
countrymen. Though in campaigns he
is the leader of party, he is, after all
the chief executive of the nation and
his arm wields the strength Of eighty
millions Of people.
supreme command, he becomes the
most exalted Of our public servants,
It Is fitting that we, a group Of the
sovereigns whom he serves. should
pay our respects to him and to the
office which he holds. I ask you to rise,
fill your glasses with the beverage
upon which the almighty has set the
seal Of his approval. and drink to the
- MI w I'D
give him wisdom to discharge Alright
the honors and duties imposed upon
him"
The Presidents Response.
Responding to Mr.. Bryan's toast the
president said:
II would be wanting in an appreci-
alton of fine courtesy II did not ex-
press my thanks to your distinguished
fellow citizen, Mr.. Bryan, for Joining
in the welcome to me here In Lincoln.
I have had occasion to say In times
past that no roses are SO beautiful as
those that grow over the party wall,
and to be received by Mr.. Bryan this
time is pleasure which must ex-
press.
"Mr. Bryan and differ on some sub
jects, but the one on which am 60
ing to speak this afternoon world
peace-is one on which we agree.
"But whether we agree or disagree,
have had a ten years personal
acquaintance with Mr.. Bryan, and
hope he will join me in saying that 1t
always has been pleasure to meet
each other under any circumstances .
Taft Delayed BY Floods.
Omaha. Neb., October 2.-(Special)
President Taft arrived last night
from Sedalia, Mo-, eleven hours late,
after perilous trip over flood dam
aged railroads.
The Taft train was caught in a
storm in northwestern Kansas and
eastern Nebraska, during which eight
inches Of rain fell. Creeks and rivers
oyerfowed their banks and railroad
travel was impeded. Several small
bridges were swept away and portion
OF the tracks over which the president
travelled were covered with more than
foot Of water
The Taft special was held out at
Rushyille. Mo-, for seven hours and
there was two hour delay at Falls
CITY WalI1uS IOI Iuc AOOu " ouuSAuC.
Section hands along the Missouri
Pacific system were ordered out by
the hundreds. In several places the
tracks were lifted on jacks and prop
ped up on piles of cross ties. To hold
these in place many tons OF rocks were
dumped on to the roadbed.
Every possible care was taken to In
sure the presidents safety and before
his train was sent over the dangerous
stretches a pilot train preceded It.
It was the most dangerous railroading
the president has ever experienced.
The president stood on the rear
platform as the train crawled over the
flooded tracks. At Littles the water
was within an inch OF the top of the
rails. At verdon, Neb., the overflow
from the Nemaha river swirled along
. beside the tracks with a current OF
ten to twelve miles an hour.
HiIIes Busy Learning Sentiment.
Although President Taft is not hav.
ing an easy time with making
speeches, attending banquets and
shaking hands with thousands Of per.
sons. he is not the only member Of the
presidential party on the swing
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