Hon. Caleb Powers

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Hon. Caleh Powers-Congressman from Kentucky


HON. CALEB POWERS
IF THE CAREER of Caleb Powers could be put in a romance it would rival in thrilling interest the most powerful tales of fiction.  Here is a man born in poverty, who educated himself, gained party leadership and won the election to one of the highest offices in the State of Kentucky.  He was a leading actor in a terrible political tragedy.  Those who carefully followed his trials, or who read the impartial investigations made by Collier's Weekly and McClure's Magazine, can come to no other conclusion than that he was made the political victim on which to vent the partisan rage of a combination of vicious politicians.  For eight years he fought for his very life against the most powerful influences of his state that controlled the courts, fixed the juries, purchased perjured testimony, and exercised all of the power of the government of a great state to convict and punish him.

Today he stands vindicated.  Governor Wilson of Kentucky wrote: I am firmly convinced that he is absolutely innocent of the crime charged against him.  His home district in Kentucky, in the elections last November, elected him to the United States Congress by the biggest majority ever given a republican in the district.

Mr. Powers is a brilliant orator, a speaker of wide experience, both in the political arena and on the Lyceum and Chautauqua platform.  He brings a message and he knows whereof he speaks.  It will be of interest to watch his career in Congress where a brilliant future is predicted for him, as he is a man of genuine ability.



LECTURE SUBJECTS

Right Upon the Scaffold; Wrong Upon the Throne
Political Experiences in Kentucky




Congressman from Kentucky

How Powers is Regarded by the Nation's Press

St. Louis (Mo.) Times
—Mr. Powers is regarded by his neighbors and friends as a man of integrity and ability, who has been a victim of a political conspiracy from which he had great trouble in escaping.  He might have felt the hangman's noose, but is now on the road to Congress.


Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.
—That Caleb Powers was the subject of willful prosecution is believed by the many who has followed the details in his case.


Washington (D.C.) Evening Star.
—Caleb Powers is a fine orator and a good speaker, and will make a useful member of the House.


New York Sun.
—The success of Caleb Powers is not at all surprising.  He was a promising politician when he was elected Secretary of State in 1899.  The trial of Powers convinced impartial minds that he was a victim of political persecution.  After his release he was still an object of hatred and malediction.  It was quite natural that he should crave a larger vindication of popular suffrage and noble service; with all his self-restraint and strength of character, Caleb Powers is vindicated.


Decatur (Ill.) Herald.
—Powers is a man of intelligence and ability, who has won admiration for his courageous fight against terrible odds.


Los Angeles (Cal.) Times.
—Just what a man can accomplish in this world is shown by the record of Caleb Powers.


Allentown (Pa.) Call.
—Caleb Powers has had a remarkable career, one that will doubtless make him a man of mark in Washington.  He possesses real ability of high order.


Detroit (Mich.) Journal.
—A man with Caleb Powers' career, a man who in his little cell has so held the attention of the Nation and commanded the head of high and distinguished Courts, may well be expected to make an impression on Congress.


Charleston (W. Va.) Mail.
—Powers is a brilliant man, and we believe him yet destined for great achievements.


Dayton (Ohio) News.
—Caleb Powers is an exceptionally intelligent young man.  He is already well known as a Chautauqua platform speaker.  He is a clear debater, a ready thinker and has ardent courage, so he may come rapidly to the front in Congress.


Paducah (Ky.) Sun.
—Caleb Powers is possessed of many charms and graces of person.  He has a voice and manner that is artlessly engaging, with an adroit and well trained mind.


The Louisville (Ky.) Herald.
—Six thousand heard of Caleb Powers' fight for liberty.  Largest crowd in history of Chautauqua before the greatest audience that has ever been assembled for any occasion in Glenwood Park, cheers Kentuckian to the acho.…  Applause after intervals of his speech ….  Caleb Powers last night told a thrilling story of his fight for life and liberty.  When the speaker stepped forward the audience broke forth in applause.…  Handkerchiefs floated in the air.…  Immediately after the close of Mr. Powers' address the immense audience broke up and great crowds swarmed to the platform and thronged around him.


The Springfield Daily News.
—Powers stirs up demonstration.…  Chautauqua crowd rushes to platform to get chance to grasp the hand of young Kentuckian recently released after eight long years in prison—speech moves audience to fervor of enthusiasm.  More than three thousand people came to hear lecture.…  Greeted with long clapping of hands when he stepped to the platform, urged on with the cries of hundreds when he wished to stop the account of his bitter life; vociferously applauded when he said his closing words, and nearly crushed to death in the mad rush of men and women in their efforts to shake the hand of the greatest political prisoner America has ever seen—Caleb Powers—for eight years stained with the charge of murder in his native state of Kentucky, comet-like appeared on the platform of the Springfield Chautauqua, Saturday afternoon.  Not for months has there been such a demonstration.


The Cincinnati Enquirer.
—Caleb Powers twice spoke today at the Chautauqua.  A demonstration followed his speech in the afternoon.  Four thousand people listened to his words and at the end made a rush for the platform to grasp the speaker by the hand.


The Dayton (Ohio) Daily News.
—Six thousand cheer him at Chautauqua.  Ex-prisoner gives a graphic description of his trials and tribulations before an audience of six thousand people.…  Time after time his remarks were greeted with outbursts of applause and approbation.…  At the conclusion of his lecture Mr. Powers was led to the side of the stage and shook hands with four thousand people who remained to meet him; he had a smile and a good word for every one in the crowd.


Bucyrus (Ohio) Evening Telegraph.
—Big tent packed to hear Caleb Powers.…  For the first time in the present Chautauqua course the tent was packed to hear a speaker.…  He told his story simply, but it had a thrilling effect.  He said nothing to offend.…  Only twice did the slightest applause disturb the breathless stillness of the tent during the hour and a half that he talked.…  At the conclusion of his lecture he was accorded an enthusiastic ovation.


Franklin (Ohio) Chronicle.
—Caleb Powers, the noted Kentucky politician, who spent eight years in jail for the alleged complicity in the murder of Senator Goebel, was the attraction at the Chautauqua yesterday afternoon.  Mr. Powers was booked on short notice but drew a large crowd nevertheless.  If the fact that he was to appear had been more generally known we believe he would have drawn one of the biggest crowds in the history of the institution.

Professor Ray Harris, principal of the Greenfield, Ohio, High School and Secretary of the Greenfield Chautauqua.—I wish to express my sincere thanks for the splendid lecture of Caleb Powers this afternoon.  It was sincere and straightforward and on all sides I hear nothing but words of praise.





Congressman Caleb Powers
Mr. W. B. Hartzog, platform manager of the Bowling Green Chautauqua.—Caleb Powers lectured at Bowling Green Chautauqua and gave unusual satisfaction.  His language was pure.  His voice carried to the uttermost parts of the great tent and his account of his struggle was listened to with breathless interest by a large crowd of men and women.  It was the largest adult audience of the Chautauqua.


The Montpelier (Ohio) Leader.
—Mr. Powers was worth the money and the time.…  Mr. Powers was calm and judicious in his delivery and use of language and won his audience completely.  It was a great speech and was delivered by a man who has suffered as few men have.


Hoopeston (Ill.) Evening Herald.
—Powers talks to big audience—holds it spellbound with story of Kentucky's political feud.  Caleb Powers speaks well and to the point.  There is no unnecessary playing to the gallery and his words carry their meaning complete.  Mr. Powers furnishes food for reflection.


Mt. Gilead (Ohio) Democratic Union Register.
—There seems to have been a great attraction at the Chautauqua on Friday in Mount Gilead.  The large tent was filled to its fullest capacity.  The side curtains were down and many who held admission tickets sat in carriages on the outside.…  Caleb Powers was the first to occupy the stage that night—being graciously introduced by Judge Spear.


Bellefontaine (Ohio) Daily Index.
—Caleb Powers was a greater success as a speaker than was generally anticipated.…  The large tent was packed to its utmost capacity to hear Caleb Powers.  He gave a story of deep human interest.  He is fine looking—tall and rather thin, but remarkably well preserved.  Thousands of people heard his statement.


Madison (Ind.) Courier.
—Caleb Powers makes a great speech.…  Hon. Manly D. Willson introduced Mr. Powers, the star attraction of the afternoon.  Mr. Powers told his hardships in such a way as to call forth the sympathy of all who heard him and his talk was enlivened by a number of humorous anecdotes and his own clever wit.  His lecture was interesting, well presented and refined.  He had the sympathy of his audience throughout, and received the closest attention.


Dayton (Ohio) Journal.
—Truth is eternal; right will prevail.…  Noted Kentucky prisoner discusses his case at Miami Valley Chautauqua freely since his triumphant vindication.


Fostoria (Ohio) Times.
—The entire audience seemed in sympathy with the famous Kentuckian and his speech held the closest attention of all.…  Powers is a man of pleasing appearance, pleasant delivery and possesses a manner which attracts.…  During the recital of his speech he waxed warm and eloquent.


Charleston (Ill.) Plain Dealer
—The big guns were Hon. Joseph G. Cannon, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Congressman W. B. McKinley and Caleb Powers of Kentucky.…  At eight-thirty the Hon. Caleb Powers of Kentucky gave an address that was thrilling in the extreme.…  Mr. Powers is a young man and is a very pleasing speaker.

Mr. Chas. A. Prosser, superintendent of the Jeffersonville-New Albany Chautauqua.—The appearance of Mr. Powers at our Chautauqua was the largest day this year.…  There must have been from six to seven thousand people on the ground.…  Mr. Powers was heard to advantage by all who were present.  The frankness and simplicity of his address—the interesting story which he told and his winning personality on the platform—all created a favorable impression.  I regard his appearance here as having greatly exceeded our expectations in every particular.


The Louisville Courier-Journal.
—Notwithstanding the rain that fell from morning until after 2 o'clock p.m., 2,000 people attended Chautauqua at 3 o'clock, to hear Caleb Powers.  He was warmly applauded and received an ovation at the close.


The Springfield (Ohio) Daily News.
—Celina is in the strongest Democratic district of Ohio, yet Mr. Powers was well received and his story heard by several thousand interested listeners.  Mr. Powers held his audience in the most perfect attention that was ever accorded a speaker on the Celina platform.


The Springfield Daily Morning Sun (Dem.)
—Graphic is the story by Caleb Powers of his trials.…  Packed juries—prejudiced judges—intimidations and wild scenes lend color for the picture.  Caleb Powers yesterday took up the cudgel in his own defense from the Chautauqua platform and held his audience to the end—alternately applauding shouts of praise.

Mr. W. W. Lawrence, manager and superintendent of the Marysville, Ohio, Chautauqua.—His presence at our Chautauqua surely drew a good crowd.  The lecture was well delivered and was thoroughly appreciated by all who heard it.

Mr. W. H. Richeson, manager and superintendent of the Covington, Ohio, Chautauqua.—I am delighted to say that our people in general were highly pleased with Mr. Powers' address.…  I only hope we will have the pleasure of hearing him again in the Chautauqua ground.


The Daily Sentinel Tribune of Bowling Green, Ohio.
—A monster crowd filled the big tent Monday evening at the Chautauqua and the crowd was agreeably pleased with the lecture of Caleb Powers.  Mr. Powers delighted his hearers.


The Fostoria (Ohio) Daily Review.
—The star attraction of the Chautauqua in the matter of interest and drawing power was the lecture of Caleb Powers.…  Every word was listened to with the most intense interest and the audience instead of tiring regretted it when he stopped.



Exclusive Management
The Coit Lyceum Bureau
Arthur C. Coit, President Louis J. Alber, General Manager
CLEVELAND, OHIO.