Birmingham age-herald., 1894-07-27
TURNED THE TABLES
What Was Intended as Kolbite Ju- bilee Was Turned Into Dem-
 ocratic Landslide.

DoTHAN, July 25.-[Special Correspond ence l-Politics are still warm. The pop ulists have already ceded the state to Colo nel Oates and to organized democracy, but are making desperate effort to elect their two representatives in Henry, hoping to secure, if possible, majority of the legis- lature, so as to enable them to elect suc- cessor to Alabama's brainiest representa- tive and most illustrious hero, Gen. John T. Morgan.
 Col. ]. P. Oliver and s. M. Adams put in very sudden appearance here this morning, announcing that there would be speaking at the opera house at 10:30. Early in the day crowds of farmers and pUpulists began to arrive from almost every direc- tion, and at the hour appointed for speak ing there were 800 or 600 present, major ity having evidently been secretly informed of the gathering several days ago.
 As soon as it was learned that these dis tinguished gentlemen were in the city the organized democrats made demand for joint discussion, which was reluctantly granted.
 Colonel Oliver spoke first. He made prac- tically the same old speech of vlliication and abuse of the democratic officials and party, charging fraud and urging free ballot and fair count, and attacking the Sayre election law, stating it was a miser- able makeshift for ballot reform, and clos- ing with an urgent appeal to the passions and prejndices of the uneducated for sus- tenance and support. If this is the substi- tute Alabama is to have for uperintendent of education, God be merciful and pity her children and system of public institutions and schools. His speech was received very cooly, and as he closed there was no ap- plause or indications that anything he had said met the approval of the audience.
 As he finished there were loud aud con- tinued calls for T. M. Espy, who stepped upon the stage amid clamorous applause and prolonged cheering. Colonel Espy paid his respects to the ''genial Reuben" and third party aggregation in unmietak- able terms. He made vigorous defense of the state administration, paying glowing tribute to Governor Jones, showing con clusively the wise and prudent course he has pursued in administering the laws and governing Alabama in the most trouble some period of her existence since the civil war. He clearly showed how relief to the oppressed and distressed farmers could not be had or obtained through the third party or its leaders. He convinced large ma jority present that their platform was framed by designing, intriguing and scheming leaders solely for the purpose of catching votes, and aside from this feature there was very little in it.
 Rev. s. M. Adams then followed, mak. ing speech ou the same line and in the same channel as MT. Oliver, except he was very bitter and severe in his criticism against Governor Jones for ordering the state troops to Birmingham, claiming that it was an unjust and unnecessary expense upon the people. He made the impression that he was in sympathy with the striking miners, and stated that if Kolb was gov. ernor the military would not have been called to Birmingham and the poor, op- pressed farmers would not now be paying $12OO day to the soldiers for the protection of few mines and railroads. Such ap- peals, such arguments as these do more to arouse, agitate and influence the passions and prejudices of the farmers and those not informed on the true situation, when they stand uncontradicted, than most any other argument that could be brought to bear, for when you touch farmer's pocket you get very near his heart.
 Colonel Espy closed the discussion in thirty minutes speech, demonstrating very forcibly the necessity of Governor Jones having the soldier boys at Birming- ham and in the mining districts that prop erty might be preserved, that bloodshed might be averted, that riots and intimida- tions might be thwarted, that the laboriug man might have the privilege of making an honest living by the sweat of his brow.
 He compared Alabama with Illinois, say ing that, if she had such an executive as ours, how different the commerce of the country would be. Instead of millions of dollars worth of property being destroyed, thousands of innocent aud helpless people being thrown out of employment and un- told suffering and hardship brought doWn upon the masses, that business would have continued in it's normal state and all would have been well. He appealed to the people to stand by the only party that had their real interest at heart; the only party that ever had or ever would accomplish anything for the amelioration of their condition. The frequent applause with which his speech was received showed that the audi ence indorsed what he said and were with him.
 -ts-. into Dothan they invariably get hit. We keep a man loaded for lem. What was intended to be a third party jubilee was turned into a democratic revival. Colonel Espy occupies very peculiar position in this campaign, his father, T. F. Espy be- ing a candidate for representative on the opposition ticket, while he is an ardent and active worker for organized democracy. He is doing a great deal of good and mak- ing the old man hhstle.