Protection

The much-talked of gathering of the Republican clans under the auspices of the University Republican Club was held Tuesday. lt was a success - from a Republican standpoint and if they are satisfied, the Democrats have no reason to complain. The "big guns" of the Republican party were all here, and if there was an occasional mistake in aim or a complete failure to fire on account of dampened powder, it made no difference to the wildly enthusiastic Republicanswho soseldom have a chance to express their feelings in this Democratie city. Numerous outside Republicans, of both high and low degree, were on hand to assist the local believers in that faith. McKinley, the chief expounder of protection, was here, with a following of friends from Columbus. H. S. Pingree and John T. Rich, the two rivals for the Republican nomination for governor, met here for the first time since the candidacy of both was announced to the public. Neither lost any time here in advocating his cause and if reports are true each strengthened his following. Other politicians were here hustling for themselves. On the whole the affair was a creditable one. It did not compare with the ovationgivenClevelandhererecently, nor were any of the responses made at the banquet equal to those made before the Democratie Club on Jefferson's birthday. The promises made i by the managers were not all fulfilled. The torch-light procession, "5,000 strong," failed to materialize and the wonderful display of fire works was "away out of sight." Nor were the hundreds of citizens and farmers too well pleased who waited around the court house until after 9 p. m. to hear the great McKinley speak, only to find out at last that the arrangements had been changed too late to give notice and the speech had been delivered at University Hall. But, in one particular the management degenerated to what had every appearance of a "fake" of which the late P. T. Barnum would have been abashed. McKinley is looked upon as the greatest exponent of the doctrine of protection, and people of every political faith have a great curiosity to hear him speak on this subject. In all the public announcêments made the fact was set forth that McKinley would be heard at the banquet. Willing to part with two hard-earned dollars to hear this renowned gentleman, in the neighborhood of a thousand sons were induced to purchase tickets to the banquet, probably not one-third of whom would have given up their cash for the supper and to hear the other speakers. The result was not what was expected. The gentlemen and ladies who had paid their money were permitted to sit and feast their eyes on McKinley from the time the banquet began until it ended, only hearing him speak a few words when his toast was announced, while the public who were not inclined to pay, had the privilege of listening to an address of forty-five minutes duration at the University Hall earlier in the oThe organization of the American Republican College League was a success. Delegates were here from nearly every northern, eastern and western state, the colleges represented being forty. The gathering was an enthusiastic one and it was really a great undertaking to gather the Republican students from Maine to California under one banner. Much of the success of the affair was due to Jas. F. Burke, president of the University Republican Club, and a score of the other members of this organization. The delegates met Tuesday morning at Newberry Hall and effected a temporary organization. In the afternoon the meeting was held at ths opera house, where amidst great enthusiasm a platform was adopted, resolutions were passed thanking evérybody and praising everything that is Republican and condemning everything Democratie. Harrison's administration was mildly approved and Blaine and his work received an ovation when it was mentioned. When the election of officers of the newly formed league was reached, the Harvard delegation nominated for president James F. Burke of the Michigan university. One delegation after another swung into line and seconded the nomination and his election was made unanimous. The other officers elected were: J. D. Wallingford, Leiand Stanford, first vice-president; E. M. Pollard, University of Nebraska, second vice-president; .,A. E. Munger, Iowa State University, third vice-president: E. G. Smith, Lafayette, fourth vice-president; B. B. McAlpin, Princeton College, treasurer; J. M. Perkins, Harvard University, secretary; N. J. McGuire, Michigan University, sergentat-arms. Immediately after supper, Marshal Soule with his aides attempted to form the procession in front of the law building. A band playing near by presented a stronger attraction and the major tinally gave it up in disgust. McKinley addressed an audience of 3,000 people in University Hall, going over the points of his pet theory and treating his listeners to just about such a discourse as any of the Republican speakers of this city could give and with about as much effect. He made one good point, which touched the feelings of his audience. He mentioned Clevelaml's name and the effect was electrical, a large portion of the audience cheering wildly and it was several minutes before the speaker could again proceed. The banquet given at the rink was very complete in its arrangement, the only objection that could possibly be found being that an effort was made to crowd a thousand people into a space that would comfortably accommodate not over six hundred. The rink was handsomely decorated, finer than ever before on any similar occasion in this city. The tables heavily lden with a fine spread served by Hangsterfer, rangedthrough the hall, the speakers table being on a platform on the east side, partially hidden by potted plarts. A hundred or so lai about an equal number of Democrats, and seven or eight hundred enthusiastic Republican students and citizens made up an audience which would have inspired a dead man to talk. J. F. Burke made a neat speach introducing J. L. Burnett, the toastmaster who welcomed the guests and then introduced Gen. Alger. The latter gentleman, realizing that he couldn't make a speech, didn't try, only making a few remarks. Hon J. M. Thurston made the address of the evening in responding to his toast. Hon. J. Sloat Fassett was witty in his remarks, and then in closing made an elequent non-partisan appeal concerning the duty of citizenship. McKinley, who carne near the end of the programme, having delivered at University Hall the address which he had intended for a response to "Protection" and not having another on hand, simply congratulated everybody. The other responses were of two classes, the sort common to the Republican stump speaker and the school-boy orator. The Chequamegan orchestra, the Business Men's Quartette and the Olivet Quartette rendered fine music, which was duly appreciated. The Board of Regents in their partisanship on Tuesday threw open the doors of University Hall for a republican meeting Recognizing the hole m which they had placed themselves, they hastened to extend the same privilege to the other political clubs, although last week they refused the Democratie Club. .