The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1889-09-26
"The Straw-Raking.o


that there would be joint discussion
or "straw -raking," as Capt. Hoskins
termed it, between the three legisla-
tive candidates, n large audience of
the sovereigns, white and colored, as
sen,bled at the Court House last Sat-
urday night TO enjoy the fun.
Capt. Hoskins being the challeng-
ing party, opened the discussion, fol-
lowed by Watts and Hart in the order
named, Capt. Hoskins closing with
lengthy rcjOinder. We regret that
we haven't the space for full syn
opsis of the speeches which repre-
sentative of the LEADER took down.
Suffice ii to say for the present that
enough was said 10y Hoskins and Watts
to show that both are candidates entire
~ of their own motion, and that both
are depending mainly on the negro
vote for election. Capt. Hoskins
started out by declaring himself an
uncompromisiug Republican and
Anti Prolibitionist, 10 doubt hoping
to make himself solid with that ele-
nent; while Watts has the advantage
over him of having received the en-
dorsement of the new County Repub-
lican Executive Committee. Both ad-
dressed themselves more pointedly to
the blacks present than to their intel
| ligent white auditors, and the most of
the applause proceeded from that
quarter, the colored shouters appear
ing to be pretty evenly divided be-
tween them. Some of Capt. HOskins'
criticisms of recent race troubles in
this State bordered closely on in
cendiaryism.
This is free country and any man
has n right to run for Office who
chooses, but when it comes to seeking
position by solidifying the negroes
against the whites, and appeals to ig-
norance and race prejudice, that is
another matter, and Messrs. Watts
and Hoskins will find they have made
a serious mistake before the close of
the campaign, if that is to be their
program.
During his rejoinder Capt. Hoskins
denounced as lie statement made
by Watts that he (Hoskins) had been
trying to secretly manipulate colored
support through Antony Brown, a
well-known colored political striker,
and there came near being collision
between the two, but the Sheriff and
Mayor interfered and commanded the
peace, and order was finally restored.
Mr.. Hart, the Democratic nominee,
who was the last speaker, in the reg
ular order, made speech that was in
the nature of an agreeable surprise to
those who did not know him. He
started out by saying that, unlike his
opponents, he was not running for
office on his own motion, but as the
twice endorsed candidate of the farm
trs and Democrats of the county.
He had no special pledges to
make except that if elected, he would
be faithful in the discharge of his
duty and advocate to the best of his
ability whatever measures he thought
best for the interests of the people
and oppose all that he conceived to
be hurtful. He also showed by statis-
tics the unequal contest that is going
on between the mOnOpolies and trusts
of the country and the farmers and
laborcrs, and declared himself the
incorporating champion of the lat
ter. He gave his opponents some
heavy raps in a good humored way,
and was generously applauded.
After the speaking was over Judge
Cassidy announced that the good
work of the evening would be follow
ed mp by the organization of Dem
oeratic club; whereupon Capt. Cotton
was called to the chair and Cbas.
| Chrisman requested to act as secre-
tary, and between 40 and so names
enrolled for membership. Mr.. j. n.
Cook was then elected permanent
president and Mr.. John Boadwee per-
manent secretary, and the club ad-
journed subject to the Presidents
call.