People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1892-09-23

NSOPAoS UP % SOAOA 6A SOuFOA c6tAOu'
You do yourselves great injustice
fellow citizens, when you deny your
congressman, for am your congress
man, the same right that is accorded
to the humblest citizen.
Voices. 'Rah for Black! You
haint my congressman.
The Chairman. Fellow citizens,
under the rules governing the debate
Mr.. Watson is entitled to an hour and
a half, and I am going to try to let
him have it. The speaking will not
proceed until we have order.
A voice. 1t is the niggers. 'Rah
for Black.
hardly think it is our colored
citizens.
A colored man on the sides. Deed,
boss, it hain't us.
Mr.. Black. My friends, / make
one more appeal to you. If you
knew, oh, if you but knew how you
are Woundlng me, no friend of mine
would proceed in this disorderly
manner. | ask my friends here who
do not desire to hear Mr.. Watson, to
retire from the building. You are
doing me an injustice, you are doing
your cause an injustice, you are do
ing an injustice to yourselves.
A voice (from man who was con-
spicuous all through in unseemly con-
duct, and humping the stage with q
chair, putting two hands to his mouth
like a trumpeO. Major, it is Wat
sons niger friends. He's afraid to
meet you, and got them up to keep
him from speaking, to have an ex-
cuse to quit.
Other voices: You know that's a
lie; we are going to vote for him
any how.
Mr.. Watson. My fellow. citizens.
| cannot entertain the thought with
any seriousness that any considerable
body of citizens of Richmond county
would want to deny me a hearing
after Mr.. Black has had his hour.
That would not be fair; that would
not be right. AS matter Of course
| cannot be heard unless there is
more quiet than now. I am forced
to believe that large majority came
here to hear the debate. [ musG be-
lieve that nearly every Democrat
here is willing to hear me in reply.
Now, Notwithstanding your conduct,
/ am in the utmost good humor.
Major Black has attacked my record,
and while he has done so he has
planted every blow above the belt,'
and why I should not be heard in
my own behalf is beyond my COM
prehension unless it is that you fear
the result. There is no reason why
peoples passions should carry them
away on this occasion. Let me say
this to you, we have had three de-
bates in the country and we were
both listened to with respect. Now,
you do not want it to go abroad that
you would not hear me after my
friends listened to Major Black.
You do not want your newspapers to
send it forth to the world that you
were afraid TO risk your candidate
answered by me after he had his say.
That report must go out if this does
not cease, for everyone must see that
there is determined effort to keep
me from being heard.
CAT this point gentleman adj
vanced to the front of the stage
with beautiful basket Of flowers
for Mr.. Watson, and it acted on the
unruly very much like red rag on a
bnll, Umbrellas were raised and
swung, to the great danger Of those
in proximity, and the stage resounded
with the humping of ehairs.)
Mr.. Watson. I tell you, the more
Of that you do, the more of these
flowers | am going to get. (Laughter.)
Note-Another scene of confusion
followed, lasting several minutes and
your reporter had an opportunity to
examine the basket of flowers. A
gentleman whispered in my ear:
'That is from daddy member OF Mr..
Blacks church." / examined the
card, and read: "With compliments
Of Mrs. W. @. Chapman, to Hon. Tom
Er. Watson. Not only that, but
f you keep this up many warm-heart-
ID right thinking people will lose re-
spect for you and your party.
A wreath of roses was forwarded
% the stage, at this point, and
scene of confusion ensued. |
Mr.. Watson. If you do not keep
order I will have every flower in
Richmond County.
A voice. That is all you will have.
Mr.. Watson. If there is anything
recognized as Jeffersonian Demo
3racy, it is free speech and free
Dress. You certainly are not giving
ne free speech tonight.
A scene of disorder equal to the
worst broke out at this point. Mr..
Watson folded his arms and silently
the scene, a calm smile of
overspreading his features.
Said a gentleman to my left, in re-
oly to some one who observed that
Watson's friends were making as
much noise as any others: "No; they