The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-07
BLACK AND THE BONDS.
TRE MAJOR DEFENDS THE RKPU-
DATED BULLOCK ISSUE.

5000 strong.
SPARTA, GA, Sept. 6.-Though not so
large as that at Crawfordville the second
meeting in the Black Watson joint canvass
OF the Tenth dis trict, which was held here
6o-day was not less interesting. The feature
of the occasion was the great preponder-
anoe OF the negroes In the gathering.
They thronged the streets from early morn
ing, and when the speaking began solidifled
into broad black crescent inclosing
the inner circle of whites. including some
fifty ladies, who stood and sat close about
the platform. There were probably be-
tween 800 and 5000 persons present, and
of this number conservative estimates place
the proportion OF blacks at three -ffths. To
all appearances the negroes we're almost
unanimous for Congressman Watson. His
name was on their lips as they thrOnged the
streets and when he spoke they
listened with wide open mouths,
seiZing every opportunity TO shout
"Hurrah for Watson" There Is not the
slightest doubt that a very large majority
perhaps two-thirds-of the white men pres
emit were for Maj. Black. Save for the lug
Ring in by Mr.. Watson Of a reference TO
Maj. Blacks having voted for the Bullock
bonds while a member of the legislature,
the speeches only differed from those at
Crawfordville In that there were fewer
personalities and more discussion of issues.
President R B. Baxter of the Sparta
Democratic Club introduced the speakers.
BLACK OPENS THE DEBATE.
Maj. Black opened by referring 20 Mr..
Watson's claim that he had been elected on
the Ocala platform. Maj. Black said that
he admitted that, but Mr.. Watson had him
self said that it was not necessary for him
to leave the Democratic party in order TO
be true 90 that platform. Mr.. Watson said
that be took Nr. Cleveland in 1888 because
there was no choice save between Mr.. Cleve-
land and Mr.. Harrison. Now there
and Weaver. Mr.. Watson had
chosen Gen Weaver who had spewed out
of bis mouth hatred and curses upon our
people, denouncing their leaders and wish
ing they were million miles deep In hades
But it was not true that there had been no
other choice in 1888. There was a third
party then as there is now. The third party
is no new thing. II was here In 1872
and in 1880. Gen. Weaver was
its presidential candidate then as he is now,
and as is the case now confederate gen.
eral, Chalmers, was the candidate for the
vice presidency. The platform of the
third party then was substantially what it
is now. It was here in 1884. when its ma
tional convention, over which Gen. Weaver
presided, nominated Ben Butler for Presi-
dent. There was third party In 1888, too.
Why had not MIR. Watson and those who
are now following him gone to 1t theni
THE PLATFORM UNDER FIRE.
Maj. Black took the Peoples party plat
form and criticised Its female suffrage reso-
luton and its sub-treasury plank. To
prove his assertion that the third party was
as divided on that as the democrats are on
silver, he read from speech by Congress-
man McKeigan, a Peoples partyite, op-
posing the measure Addressing himself to
his third party hearers. Maj. Black said:
while all these alleged crimes Of which the
Democratic party is accused we're being
committed, you were members Of it II
you indict that party you indict yourself
wATsoN's LIVELY OPENING.
Mr.. Watson was given a noisy reception
He was frequently interrupted, sometimes
by overenthusisstio Black men. To the
Interruptions from the opposition he usually
replied with bitterness and his accustomed
theatrical manner. A voice greeted him at
the outset with Give US back our flag"
"You talk about my giving you back
have given you all promised
and the man who says have not, lies like
dog" MIR. Watson devoted much time to a
satirical running commentary on Maj.
Blacks Atlanta speech when he was a can
didate for senator. He charged that Mai.
DldDh uhs hlOC6 KOu6 LuJO the very ring
which he had then denounced. Maj. Black
had in his CrAwfordville speech said that
the suffering among the people was exag-
gerated. 1t could not be exaggerated. 1t
was pictured by every worn out farm and
every dilapidated farm house in Georgia
CAUSE OF THE HARD TIMES.
Maj. Black had attributed the distress
chiefly to the tariff. He did not underesti-
mate the evils Of the tariff, but they we're
IL h. A,,a n
those of the contraction of the currency and
its monopoliEation. He was In favor
of removing the tariff taxes, but
it could not be done until some
other means were used to supply the
$l5S, 900, 900 reduction in the governments
income which that would cause The Peo-
pies party platform supplies that lack with
its income tax.
Apparently angered by an inquiry from
the audience, "What about the Corbin
Barking Companyr Mr.. Watson retorted
hotly. He made an allusion to Maj. Black g
having voted for the Bullock bonds
BLACK DEFENDS THE BONDS.
This provoked singing reply from Mai.
Black when he rose for his fifteen minutes
conclusion. With much feeling and with
telling effect he reviewed his record on
that matter. He had voted for bonds he
declared, which democratic legislature,
after Gov. Bullock and his gang had been
driven from the state, had pronounced
good and valid. II il was to do over again
he would do it a thousand times. He believed
that every state and nation as we'll as every
individual should pay all honest debts. In
that affair he had been in good company.
Robert Toombs, Alex Stephens, A. D.
Bacon, G. j. Jenkins and J. B. Cumming
had taken the same view of those bonds
that he had.
THE PEOPLES DECISION
Mr.. Watson-How did the people de-
eide its
Maj. Black-I don't care how the peonla
decided it. l dare to stand in the face of
the people and tell them when thev are
wrong. wild applause
MIR. Watson-The state constitution nro-
nounced those bonds invalid. Would Won
pay them now?
Maj. Black-I would not pay them now
because the constitution places an inhibi-
hon on them, but do say that morally thew
constitute an honest debt.
NAL Black said he stood by every word
OF his Atlanta speech In denunoiation of
rings. There was never party more COM
pletely under the power OF its leaders than
the Peoples party. Tremendous and long
cheering frequently interrupted Mai. Black.
IN closing be rose to real eloquence and
swept the audience tumultuously