The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-10-19

0RAT0RY ON
TAP LAST NIGHT
CANDIDATES ON REPUBLICAN
TICKET DELIVERED AID.
DRESSES IN MUM PARK.

All shades of political beliefs have
been enunciated from the platform
in tho park this week, and last night
the Republicans had their innings,
when Messrs. &. W. Bean, OF Tampa,
Henry w. Bishop, of Eustis, and W.
X O'Neal, of Orlando, made ad-
dresses in behalf OF the Taft brand
of Republicanism.
Tho speakers were introduced by
MIR. J. II. Wendler. who performed
this task quite gracefully. Several
other prominent Republicans were
seated on the stage with the speak
ers.
G. w. Bean, postmaster Of Tampa,
and candidate for Congress from this
district, was the first speaker. Like
our own postmaster, Mr.. Bean is a
better hand at reading postcards
than at public speaking. He read
great many statistics from encyclO-
pedias and other sources. by which
he endeavored to prove that a high
tariff is beneficial and free trade or
low tariff disastrous to the people.
Mr.. Beans argument was devoted. In
fact, almost wholly to the tariff-a
subject which it is very difficult to
make interesting.
He was followed by Henry W.
Bishop. Of Eustis, candidate on the
State ticket for attorney general
Mr.. Bishop has good delivery. SO hr
naturally put one over now and
then. especially when referring to
the Bull Moose party and its candi
dates. He stated that Mr. Hodges,
who claimed here that he had been
Democrat for twenty years. claimed
t, be a Republican some time ago.
when he was an applicant for Fed
eral position. He defended the ac-
ticn of the Chicago convention, stat
ing that he was member Of the
credentials committee there, that
everything was fair and regular, and
that the Bull MOOscrs were simply
boilers. Mr.. Bishop expressed him
self as against the primary system
and as opposed also to the recall.
Hon. w. r. O'Neal. candidate for
governor. was next introduced. Mr..
O'Neal is an orator Of considerable
ability, and while the bulk of his
auditors were Democrats and did not
endorse his views. they could not
but admire his carnestness. elo-
quencc and facility of expression. He
said that two parties would be 4
benefit to the State; that while h.
did not expect the Republican ticke,
in Florida to be elected. that the vote
was going to be largely increased
this time. and thai four years hence
the Republican forces will have been
greatly augmented. and intimated
that they would by that time be
strong enough to at least to make
Democrats 'sit up and take notice.
He said that an opposing party was
always instrumental in bringing
about reforms. and claimed for tn,
Republicans much of the credit for
creating the public sentiment that is
now clamOrous for the abolition Of
TIE convict lease system. which he
said the Republicans made an issue
o. four years ago. stumping the State
with this as their main subject of
discussion.
The speaker declared that the
country was never more prosperous:
that there was no necessity for Il
change in national affairs; and he
cited local conditions to sustain his
, claim, referring 70 the marvellous
growth and development which is
! apparent in and around Lakeland.
Mr.. O'Ne1l is well known To i
great number OF our citizens. who
regard him most highly. He has
| frequently visited Lakeland. and has
made addresses here on various o.
! casions.
/ Probably three or four hundred
persons listened to the speakers. Civ
ing them all attentive hearing.