The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1912-10-10
THE BIG HODGE RALLY
At Bellingham Last Tuesday
Night. The Mud-Slinger
and Character Assassin 10
Numerically Dealt With.

OnmeFCIIully NSdlt WILL
The Progressive party rally held
at Beck's theater in Bellingham on
Tuesday night was a hummer. and
clearly indicated which way the
wind is blowing and which party will
be the dominant one in the state OF
/ Washington after this fall.
The house was crowded and the
people present were not of the I'M
derworld nor of the prize ring fra
ternity. Neither did they belong to
the family of grabbing grafters who
have dictated the politics OF this
state and county for the past sew
eral years. They were representa-
tive men and women who attended
the meeting to lend their support and
cncoura cement to the able represen-
tatives of the party who had come
over from Seattle not alone to dis
cuss the political issues of the day,
but also to refute the baseless SLAM
ders and vile attacks made by a
biased reactionary press against one
of the states best citizens. Robert
T. Hodge.
These libelous attacks will be
more fully and specifically gone into
by Mr.. Hodges attorneys who Will
file a libel suit against the owners
of the Bellingham Herald. And
when the case comes up Mrs. Hodge.
divorced wife of the man sought to
be discredited, will be present to
! take the witness stand and testify
that the big sheriff of King coun-
| ty was entirely blameless in the un-
/ fortunate, circumstances that culmln-
ated in their separation.
| The meeting was called to order
/ by George Bacon, chairman of the
Progressive County Central Com
mittee, who in a few appropriate re-
marks introduced Hon. Hans Bugge.
of Bellingham, the chairman OF the
meeting.
Hon. Ole Hanson. of Seattle, and
state senator from King County, and
Robert T. Hodge, candidate for gov
ernor. were the principal speakers
of the evening.
Mr.. Hanson, of charming person.
atty and convincing manner, deliv-
cred a mastery address. and it Is
doubtful if ever a public speaker
on a Bellingham platform was ac-
corded close attention or heartier
applause. Mr.. Hanson was cheer
ed throughout his denunciation OF
the Anticipated stand pat order OF
things and his forceful remarks
were right to the point in every in
stance. Ole Hanson is considered
one of the ablest fighters enrolled
in the Cause of Mankind" cam
paign, has been an efficient men,
Der of the state senate and is going
to be the next United States Sena-
tor from the state of Washington.
The people of the state are going to
select the next senator by instruct
ing legislators whom to elect, and
Sammy Perkins is not going to die
tate the name of the man who is to
succeed Wesley Jones, as has been
so carefully arranged and agreed up
on by the members of the newspa-
per triumvirate, otherwise known as
the owners of the big dailies OF the
state.
And when Ole Hanson starts out
on his campaign for the senatorship
the subsidized press of the state may
we'll take notice because Hanson.w Will
never "let go of the dog until 1t
is dead"
Referring to the Infamous and
reprehensible attack on Bob Hodge
on account of domestic difficulties.
Senator Ole Hanson related the
circumstance of meeting on the train
on his way to Bellingham Tuesday
morning, 70-year-old Cengre-
gational minister. of Black Diamond,
who has known Mr.. Hodge intimate
ly for the past 16 years, and who
officiated at the baptism of the four
Hodge children. This minister. on
account of his familiarity with the
home and business life of Mr.. Hodge
asked the privilege of refuting by
letter. as he was unable to attend
the meeting, any statement made by
any person or paper that reflected
unfavorably on Mr.. Hodges charac-
ter or his conduct in his home life.
The letter which MIR. Hanson read
and which received enthusiastic APP
plause from the audience is as fol-
lows:
Il have just read the editorial in
the Bellingham Herald, and every
statement derogatory to Bob Hodge
is an infamous lie. He was a kind
husband and loving father. He is
industrious, honest and sober.
baptized his children, and ] know
his wife, and l say to the people OF
Bellingham that Bob Hodge was
BLAMELESS in the divorce mat
ter.
REV. RICHARD BUSHELL.
942- goth Ave, North, Seattle.
Wash"
A white haired old gentleman in
the audience who stated that he
had absolutely no interest in the
candidacy of Mr.. Hodge, asked tho
privilege of endorsing the contents
of the letter. and added his tribute
to the honorable life and character
of Bob Hodge, whom he said he
had known many years, and whose
neighbor he had been. These two
voluntary public statements, both by
old acquaintances, one Of whom Is
a minister of the gospel, should for
ever silence and put to shame the
vile ISLANDERS aimed at Mr.. Hodge In
reference to his family affairs.
The following telegram, read at
Tuesday nights meeting. will leave
no doubt in the mind Of anyone as
to the attitude of Hon. John c. Law
renee in this campaign, and brands
as lies the statements in the reac-
tionary press to the effect that he