The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-11-07
COL. HUNT PRESIDES
OVER THE MEETING
Hon. Randolph Walton Pro
duces Much Applause
From Big Crowd

! paign in Knox county Saturday night
was as unique as it was full of inter-
est TO an enthusiastic audience of at
least 1000 people which crowded
about the Hotel Curtis to hear Hon.
Randolph w. Walton of Columbus, a
former Progressive, urge the re-elec-
tion of President Woodrow Wilson.
Walton, one of the throng of Re-
publicans who organized the Bull
Moose party in 1912, was introduced
by col. Ira D. Hunt, chairman of the
evening, who also held faith to the Re-
publican party until 1912 when he be-
came a Progressive and who is now
ardently espousing the cause of Presi-
dent Wilson.
The occasion was enliyened by the
presence of the drum corps of Joe
Hooker Post, No 81, G.. A. r., and the
Waterford band which alternated in
dispensing music.
In an introduction which was re-
celved with a tremendous outburst
OF applause on the part of the big
crowd, Mr.. Hunt referred to the con.
ditions of special privilege and re-ac-
tlonarism which led him to abdicate
his lifelong interest in the Republican
party and become a member of the
Progressive party in 1912
He spoke of the control of the Pro
gressiye convention in Chicago last
June by those interests to combat
which it had been formed and of his
inability, In view of everything, to
, ally himself conscientiously with the
Republican party this year after
Roosevelt had gone over and left the
Progressive without head
Col Hunt was enthusiastically ap-
plauded when he alluded to the list of
splendid achievements of the Wilson
administration and of his abiding
faith and conviction that such man
should be returned to an office in the
dispatch OF the duties of which he
has proved so superbly fitted He pre-
sented Mr.. Walton as a Bull Mooser
who has not been dehorned."
From the very outset and to the end
of his speech of over an hour, Mr.,
Walton. who is leading lawyer in
| Columbus, maintained the closest at
tention of his audience and produced
round after round of applause,
A vigorous delivery, combined with
a decidedly humorous viewpoint
served as very effective vehicle for
the presentation of plain, unvarnished
facts, In q simple manner, why Presl
dent Wilson deserved the support al
the polls of all true Americans who
are looking forwards and not back
wards.
The same influence which brought
about the shift In political afllliatior
OF Col. Hunt, Mr.. Walton stated, hat
caused his conversion to the tenets o.
the party which has such a remarkable
record of progressive legislation t.
It's credit.
Mr.. Walton, pleading for the re-elec
tlon of the president, showed tina
practically all of the laws for whicl
the Progressive platform of 1912 stoot
had been enacted by the Wilson ad
mlnlstration the past four years. II,
mentioned particularly the federal re
serve act, whereby panlcs are mad
things of the past, the eighthour da
and the child labor laws,
In view of these facts, Mr.. Walto
argued, how could real Progressiy
V do anything but cast his ballot 70
: President Wilson this year.
lie answered, convlnoingly, some
the absurd criticisms which HughC
supporters have made of the Wllso
u regime, dealing effectively and to III
n satisfaction OF the crowd with I'll
o Mexican situation tho talk about pr
N Sectiye tariff and the prediction tht
y America will need Hughes and Wa
~ Street after the war.
IL He said that Taft had warn'
B. Americans In Mexico TO fee and g
u out OF danger; that the talk of prote
'S tive tariff amounts TO a desire OF 81
IL cial privilege TO get it's hands on q
~ government again in order to Ia
from the people at large many of I