Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-10-24
Massey and Jones.

Although raining steadily all the fore
noon, crowd OF about 1000 persons
listened for three hours to the joint de-
bate between Hon. John E. Massey
and Rev. Sam Jones, representing the
democratic and prohibition parties, re-
spectively, at Stanton yesterday. The
speakers occupied the portico of the
county courthouse. the crowd standing
around in a drilling rain. By the
terms arranged each speaker had an
hour for opening and halt-hour reioin-
ders, Massey opening. Mr.. Massey in
his opening speech declared his lifelong
abstinence and devotion to temper
ance principles on every occasion, but
he did not consider prohibition an issue
in this campaign. He enumerated the
important duties involving upon the
next Legislature and urged the selec-
ton of an experienced man for State
Senator. He reviewed the record of
Mr.. Echols, democratic candidate for
reelection. eulogizing him warmly and
holding him up as man who had new
err taken drink and who voted for the
local-option law. His influence in the
legislature was contrasted with Mr.. Bod
ley's, (prohibitionist,) who, if elected,
would be alone in that body. He de-
Tended the national democratic party
from responsibility for existing evils
and reviewed its record ofachievements
in State affairs. In concluding Mr.
Massey warmly endorsed the demo-
cratic legislative candidates, eulogized
the people Of Augusta and warned them
against the danger and results of dem
ocratic disintegration. During his
speech he was several times interrupt
ed, but found ready and effective re-
sponses that aroused loud applause.
Mr.. Jones, being introduced, declared
himself not only teetotaler but pro-
hibitionist, and illustrated his position
and Massey's by laughable anecdote.
He had also been a democrat for many
years and still stood by all the good in
the old party, but he thought more of
sobriety than anything else. Mr.. Jones's
address was literally interspersed
with characteristic anecdotes that kept
the audience laughing. His only argu-
ment was the one that ran throughout
his speech, viz, that liquor is an evil
which prohibition aims to overthrow.
1t was the duty of Christians and good
citizens to oppose it and to support the
prohibition candidates because they
were opposed toit. He criticised Mr..
Massey's political changes and charac-
terized him as now a demijohnerat.
Mr.. Massey, he declared, had given
him nothing to answer, and, bring
ing in an anecdote, the speaker ap-
piled it to him, saying: "He amt bit
nothing to-day, just running around and
SOLDERING" In his humorous way he
referred to Brother" Massey as in bis
dotage. Taking out his watch, Mr..
Jones said he would answer everything
he had said about the democratic party
in one minute, and aroused applause by
remaining silent till the minute elapsed.
In conclusion he paid warm tribute to
Mr. Bodley's character.
Mr.. Massey in his rejoinder express
ed sorrow that Mr.. Joness stock of an
ecdotes had run out before his hour,
adding that many went to the show TO
Ste tue uohhes. Iscply mug W HIS up
ponent's criticism of him as a temper
auce leader, he declared that his seven
ty-fve years had been devoted to the
cause, while mis- opponent, who was but
forty-six, had been Incorporate for
more than half his life. He referred to
Mr.. Joness speech as "buffonery from
paid attorney" Mr.. Jones had said
much Of godliness, but he used most I'M
godly language.
Mr.. Jones began his rejoinder by
reading printed expression of Mas
sey's temperance views and aroused
loud applause by declaring it the pro-
hibition platform. As to his own lam
guage in the pulpit, he never said any
thing that was not in the Bible. Mr..
Massey had worn out as a preacher and
was living on State pap" He denied
being paid to come there, and charac-
t,rized Massey and Echols as Pharisees.
Many other sharp thrusts at each other
were made by both speakers, but all
were good-naturedly given and taken.