The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1922-03-10
POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT DREW
OVERFLOW CROWD TO SIOUN
FALLS COLISEUM.

fairly good time, except for one or
two stops, until Sioux Falls was
reached Arriving at 7:15 the men
fairly ran to the colosseum only to
find it packed with audience so large
as to tax all its capacity and more.
a few were so fortunate as to find
a place on the platform and in the
galleries but others stood on the
main floor closely packed in main
of four thousand or more people.
The Yankton band in the right
balcony led off with a selection that
kept the waiting crowd in a jolly
mood until Chairman Fairbank an
nounced Mr.. George w. Egan for ii
fifty minute discussion of state is
sues.
Mr.. Egan's appearance was the
signal for a great ovation on the part
of his supporters and of the latter
there was a massed group just to the
front of the stage and back of the
tables where sat thirty or more news
paper men.
Egan, smiling, self-confident, yet
withal of striking personal appear
ance, led off on his line of attack by
starting a biblical quotation. Here
general bursts of laughter came from
all parts of the house. Fiery, elo-
auent. but with terrible vengeful
vehemence he poured forth TRADE
of vitriolic aspersions upon the ac-
tivities of what termed the polite
al machine" AT every climax Mr..
Egan's cohorts expressed their affir-
nations with wild appiause. 1t was
very obvious that the Egan force
were exceedingly jubilant as their
robust leader plunged into detail
ed discussion of.the bonus board
and its work, taxation, rural credits
the McDougal loan, and Gev. McMas-
ter administrative acts. The entire
speech cody calculating, cold-blood-
ed in it's aim and loaded with venom
that only he could best direct into
the opposing camp.
At every marked innuendo ano
flash of rebuke an uncontrolled
spasm of shouts and hurrahs fairly
shook the walls of the coliseum
Egan was at his best in his home
town where the magic of the pres
ence of his supporters inspired hin
step many times past the confines o,
gentlemanly attitude. He hoyerec
over the governor shaking his fists
in threating manner, and pourins
ridicule unsparingly into his ears
1t was very parallel to a vui;ur'
gloating over a hapless victim.
The integrity of the present state
administration was openly question
ed.
The real fireworks started whel
an attack was made on the manne
of handling bonus funds and distri
| button of same. Time and again ex
service men present broke in witt
demands for action. A call for Free
Ray was repeated time and tim
again.
At the end of the time allotte'
Mr.. Egan, Gov. McMaster came I
the front amid a laundering ap
plause. Possessed of an array of log
ical arguments and fortified with
good supply of statistical figure
taken from various state reports an
records the speaker ably defende
his official acts and intentions in n
uncertain manner. Often he wa
hissed and annoyed by rabble tha
were far two CONSCIOUSNESS to RESTRAIN
studied open insult, but, inspite Q
interruption and great discourtes
4 the governor continued to flay hi
opponent and impeach his character
Here as in the preceding speech to
many personalities entered into tn
debate. The exchange or these wa
bitter warfare. Gov. McMaster me
Mr.. Egan the full way in his explar
ations regarding the handling
state funds, the payment of bonuse
and the saving made to the taxpayer
in conducting his administration
economically as possible.
The clash of opinion and force {
assertions made by either speakt
made 1t extremely difficult for til
ordinary citizen to figure and goo
coming from such public exhibitio
of political rivalry especially whei
!. 1t Is marked with such bitterness
feeling.
Many left that meeting in disgu!
: and it is conceded the cumulatis
effect of both speeches will not mah
! any considerable number more vot'
for either candidate. Fervor ran
| high for that.
On board the Madison special
; straw vote on candidates for COVE
nor was taken with the result shov