The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-23
Democratic Annual Love Feast
ROusing One.
Many Unable to Find Places at
Tables.
WILSON IS WELL RECEIVED
Presidential Aspirant Makes
Speech That PIeases.
of Bryan and Clark Are
Cheered.

More than 900 Democrats sat at
the annual love feast in Masonic hall
4 last night and applaudcd every mem
/ tion of the names of their party chiefs
1t was the largest political banquet
ever held in Topeka. Until nearly I Il
O'Clock they waited for Governor
Woodrow Wilson of New Jersey to be-
gin his talk. But the reception ac-
corded Wilson in no maner exceeded
the demonstrations at the mention OF
the names of Bryan and Clark.
Whether Kansas Democracy is FOR
Clark or Wilson Is yet a problem in the
minds of state politicians All day
Thursday the Wilson following seemed
to have the better of the noise I'M the
hotel Hobbies. Then last night the
Clark contingent sent a scare into the
ranks Of the New Jerseyan's following-
when their cheers Jared the banquet
hall at the mention of Clark's name.
minute later there was a welcome
accorded the mention OF Bryan name
that sidetracked the welcome or eth
er of the two aVOWed candidates.
The noise started early. As $50
visitors gathered around the long
tables and began to look for things on
the menu they could not find. the less
hungry ones took charge of the noise
departments Several times before the
cold supper was served, party leaders
in the state and nation were given a
welcome by the big crowd.
As the long. tedious hours in the hot
hall began to drag. so the enthusiasm
Of Kansas Democracy began to Waue-
The sudden outburEts Of applause that
were accorded the early speakers dwin-
died to gentle. cl ,ping of hands
and scattered badly over the big hall.
Every available foot of the big room
was occupied and men and women
TODD in the halls. anxious for the ap-
pearance of the principal speaker
Wilson
Judge W. II. Thompson Of Garden
City started the first real enthusiasm
in his response to the toast, 'Dcmoc-
racy of Today" II was Thompson who
fiayed the state and national admins
tratiOn and pointed to party promises
that had been long since forgotten by
the men In power. The Democrats
need but one thing to insure success
-harmony-and Thompson said that
with a united party the things which
will happen in the fall election Will
live a thousand years after the votes
are counted. In his speech. the Sew
enth district man brought out the first
demonstration. II was at the mention
of the name of Champ Clark, and for
several minutes the speaker was un-
able to resume his talk. Then Thomp-
son again waded into the Stubs adj
element in a way that brought cheer
to the hearts OF party leaders.
Hodges Name Checred.
Burt +. Brown of Lawrence sound
eu the kuDtInatOlldl sentiment NNfM
he made kindly mention Of George
Hodges. The Olathe mans name was
well received. No speaker made refer
ence to the candidacy Of Billiard and
the Tcpekan's friends sat at the ban
quet tables awaiting the opportunity
that never came. Brown pleaded for
party fidelity and harmony among all
factions. No matter how hot the fight
for the nominations this year. Brown
insisted harmony must be restored in
large chunks
August w. Kopke. Of Emporia. re-
sponded to the toast. Hold That Line
Kopke is young in the party ran INKS. but
put his speech over in good form. He
begged for party loyalty and urged mis-
partisans not TO be led astray IN tho
coming fight.
Judge r. L. Bond. Of saIina. told os
Democratic Opportunity Every lire
of the Salina lawyers speech looked
Ike party victory from road overseer
to president If the voters would just
walk to the polls and declare their
Judge Bond did much
pointing with pride. but for 30 minutes
hammered his hearers With the fact
that this was the opportunity OF
lifetime for Kansas Democracy to as
sert itself.
Then came Hugh Farrelley. the third
speaker Of the evening. who is "A can
didate for United States senator. Far
relleyl talked about Representation"
He had in mind hundred different
places where the great American pee
that the old system needed fxing-and
the Democrats should do the repair
ing. Farrelley didn't care how hot the
coming convention fights grow. just 50
long as the party followers get togeth-
er before election and do things. Time
after time he urged the voters TO keep
a weather eye on their public servants
and make them do their bidding. In
his speech. Farrelley mentioned Bryan
and the name brought another big
demonstration from the banqueters.
Crowd Becomes Impatient.
For nearly four hours. the crowd hal
waited patiently for Wilson. They Rad
iribbled to the speakers courteous ap-
olause but II was lacking in fire and
'orce Somehow. il seemed to the mel
rom the rural districts that they were
10 be given night reservations IN thu
1all in exchange for their 81 tickets.
Many OF them came to hear Wilson and
such enthusiasm as had not been dis
played, was turned loose when the New
Jersey governor was presented. For
nearly an hour Wilson talked to the
Kansas Democrats. He just talked.
Never once did be attempt oratorical
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