Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-09-10
and Gates-JOint DIS
cussiOn at Ottumwa.

AtOttumwa last Saturday Hon. E
s. Sampson and Hon. E. M. Gates,
opposing candidates for Congress,
met in joint discussion. From the
Courier of Monday we learn th6t
Judge Sampson had early last week
written to Mr.. Gates asking y divis-
ion of time at Ottumwa. There was
no notice given of the discussion,
however, untilafter the prelininaries
had been arranged upon the arrival
of Judge Sampson in the forenoon OF
the day of the meeting. Below are
brief extracts from the Curriers'
comments:
Mr.. Gates opened the discussion
with a forty-ininutes' speech, and
though he commenced by saying
that he had come to tell the people
what his views were, and what he
would do, he did not advance a sim
gle thought or measure which he ad-
vocated, during that forty minutes.
| He occupied the whole time in COM
plants against the present admins
tration. He was guilty of the bold
est untrutl or ignorance In his state
ments. From the style and manner
of the man we incline to be charita-
BILE, and say that his stupidity led
him into his errors, and yet 1t Is
difficult to conceive, for instance,
how he could be so ignoran
as to say that this administra-
tion evinGed no disposition to
| iauidate the debt of the Nation.
We would not be severe and yet we
must be strictly just, for the good OF
society demands 1t, and we are forc-
ed to say that Mr.. Gates effort show
ed clearly a startling ineapacity to
q SO high a position as he.aspires to.
A sad deficiency In intelligence. A
gentleman of his age, experience and
opportunities of culture and acquire
ments, who so sadly muddles and
| mikes the ordinary matters of cur
rent history and passing events In
connection with public affairs, has
certainly hid his talents away for
many long day to rust, or else they
have been exceedingly mediocre to
begin with. We observed, however,
that he was not lacking in devoting
his limited talents to the specious,
unmanly purposes OF the pettifog-
ger.
Judge Sampson spoke for about one
hour to which Mr.. Gates replied in a
twenty-five minute speech. The
Judge was clear, logical and forcible
| in his remarks, showing clearly
just appreciation and knowledge oi
the great questions Of the day. Hie
speech was such as at once convinced
his audience, that as he has upon the
| bench. been pre-eminent, so in the
halls of legislation would they have
| through him, man who. wouldhave
clear, honest, and well-digested opins
ions upon all questions, and the abii-
ity to enforce them. The audience
listened to him with the greatest ao-
tention throughout, and he was re-
| peatsdly cheered most heartily.
His views are peculiarly sound
and we confess that we were agreea-
EbIy surprised that the Judge should
have succeeded so admirably as he
did, since he has been SO long out OF
practice. He showed clearly that he
is not wanting in the ability to make
a most successful speaker on the
hustings. We are gratitied that this
discussion occurred here. 1t has
heightened the Judge much in pub
lie estimation, and we can only re-
gret that the public could not have
been informed of it, and many hun
dreds Of our citizens have heard and
seen together, the two candidates.
The Courier promises to publish a
good part of both speeches, and we
shall try to give a synopsis in the
JOURNAL next week, if we can pro-
cure it from the Ottumwa papers.