The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-02-02

When Lee Cruce was governor OF
Oklahoma he blazed path unknown
in politics. He was different. He
tread pathway sometimes, it seemed
alone and unaided and unattended eX-
cept by a few staunch friends who
believed he could not do wrong. In
telling of political trees in this new
line of march through political will
derness he had his troubles. Like Jas.
S Hogg, of Texas, he made differ
Ient kind of governor. There was a
time when Hogg and the legislature
were at outs, there were times, when
political storm hovered over the
Lone State state and settle over the
executive mansion, but Hogg stood
like the Rock of Gibraltar. He believed
in himself and today Hogg is the most
popular governor that commonwe ealth
ever had. That experience vas the
experience of Lee Cruce and that same
result is here Texas in vain looked
about for another such governor as
Hogg had made, and Oklahoma has not
within its bounds such another man as
Cruce. In the height of political storm
Cruce stood like a mountain whose
snow capped summit stood white and
pure above every breath of calumny
There may have been a time when he
felt his home people were not with
him, but he knows now of their affec-
tion and he knows how they believe in
Cruce.
The Cruce banquet last night, ar
ranged and given in honor of his home
coming was different The men who
made out that program, did not under
stand. No one understood. The pro-
gram was out of harmony with the
spirit that developed in that meeting.
There were town building topics and
topics suggesting a wide range of
thought on the program, but it could
not be carried out. The people want
ed to talk Cruce, they wanted to pay
homage to the man, they wanted to-
express their sincere affection for him,
and they were in no mood to talk of
finance, of oil, of the judiciary, etc.
And the guests at that banquet were
not in a mood to hear anything but
eulogies on Cruce The worth of the
man was unfolded before them.
The Reed building 5Ox2OO feet was
provided with a series of long tables
and there was scarcely a chair unoc-
cupied. Gilbert Shuman ofthe Gem
Cafe was the caterer and the banquet
spread was ideal
When the guests were seated, the
honor guest of the occasion was es-
corted to his seat by POSTMASTER J. S.
followed by Oklahoma City
guests and members of Governor Will
liams' staff in full uniform. There was
a tremendous applause which greeted
the appearance of the former governor
marched to his place at the banquet
table The escort was composed of
Lieut.. Gov. NJ. Il. Trapp, Speaker A.
McCrory,, General F. NJ. Canton, Col
A. n. Leecraft, Lieut.. Col Kirby Fitz-
patrick, Major II. E. Looney, Major d.
R. Bonfoey, Col. U. S. JONES, and
Major J. S. Mullen. These men were
on the personal staff of Governor
Cruce and they have been honored
with the same appointments by Gov
ernor Williams. They were in the full
uniform of their rank in the army
and had come to pay their respects TO
the former commander-in-chief
When the honor guest and escort
had passed to their places, the assem-
bly, rose and drank to the health of the |
retiring governor The orchestra ad- |
1ed to the beauty Of the scene by !
playing Dixie" the most loved piece |
Of music in all America.
J. S Mullen, president OF the
chamber of commerce and major on
he staff of Governor Cruce served
is POSTMASTER in a most happy man
her His wit, his eloquence. his com
handing appearance, impaired a dig
lity to the occasion in keeping with
is high object The POSTMASTER said
n part