East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1914-05-13

With the oregon theater crowded
TO the doors with the largest audience
at any political gathering In the his
tory Of Umatilla county and with every
man and woman present expressing
enthusiastically the high place which
the man of the hour held In their
hearts and minds. DR.. C. J. Smith.
candidate for governor of Oregon, was
received back into his old nome town
last night in a manner that proved
that he is one prophet who is not
without honor in his own country.
Never before has this city and
county seen such tribute paid to a
citizen seeking office. Though the
meeting had been arranged with but
n days notice, it established a new
standard for occasions of its nature.
Every seat in the big auditorium was
taken and not a one was vacated un-
ill the chairman announced that the
meeting was adjourned. Men and
women of every age, station and po-
1itical faith were present. on the
platform sat grizzled pioneers Of 40
side by side with young men and wo-
men who. but a few years ago receiv-
ed from the hand OF DIR. Smith their
high school diplomas. Doctors. law
yers. merchants, farmers, ministers
1aborers and housewives were assem-
bled about the chief figure and down
I'm the audience before him.
And towering above all on the plat
form. towering because in his Grip
pied condition he could not sit. was
Mayor w F. Matlock, the man quoted
by the Oregonian in an interview
never given, to the effect that Dr
Smith as mayor of Pendleton had
permitted gambling to flourish Sup
ported by his crutches he stood be-
hind the gubernatorial candidate
throughout the meeting as evidence
of his loyalty and sympathy for DR.
Smith. striking refutation OF the
statements credited to him.
Before the doctor was called upor
to speak. men who had known hin
for quarter of century arose and
testified to his high moral charac
ter, To his unimpeachable record al
a public official. to his efficiency, hi,
highmindedneass his courage, his en-
SikN iiio uSits. <hh0 "hNAa
after DR.. Smith had finished his ad
dress, f ]. Murphy. former mayor
and present councilman, arose from
the rear of the house and moved 1
to be the sense of the meeting tina
the campaign made against him by {
portion of the state press was Sian
derous and without foundation in fact
the motion carried with a roar of ayes
while at the call for the NEGATIVE
vote there was profound silence fol
lowed in a moment by thunderous ap
plause. 1T was Pendleton's answer t
the charge that she had forsaken he
former mayor in his race for tn
highest office In the state.
DR.. smith arrived from Portland a
+ o'clock in the evening and. though
$40 public announcement had beel
made of the time of his arrival. ther
We're several hundred men and wo
men at the depot to welcome him an,
they did not dlsperse until they ha'
escorted him in a body through tn
main street. All wore on their coat
red ribbons upon which was the sin
gle word smith"
At 1880 the band marched throug
the street and played for quarter o
an hour in front Of the theater. Peo
Pile began entering early and tn
house was filled before the meetin
hour arrived. Will Peterson. chair
man of the county democratic com
mittee. presided and he announce
first Of all that the meeting was abso
lutely non-partisan.
The first man to pay his tribute
DR.. smith was w. W. Harrah, promi
nent farmer who is chairman OF tn
law enforcement league organize
during the recent anti-gambling cru
sade He was followed by A. w. N.Y.
veteran pioneer of this county VIII
declared that in a 80 years acduain
ance with DR.. Smith he had nevt
known him to do dishonest deed.
Rev. S. L. Grigsby, pastor of tn
PRESBYTERIAN church. made what h
declared to be the first political speed
OF his life. He gave three reasons fo
his support to the former Pendleto
citizen and why he believed that evei
highminded voter In the state shoul
support him: first. because Of th
man, second. because OF what 4