The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-03-22
EVANS MEETS ATKINSON.
A Joint Debate at Griffin Heard by a
Big Crowd.

Vote Against the Soldiers Home.
Gen. Evans Declares His Candidacy
Response to a Popular Demand.
Veteran of Georgia.
Griffin, Ga, March 2l.-This has been
one of the greatest days in Grifin's his
tory, although the crowd was not half as
large as was expected Atlanta sent down
100 men, Newman 200, the Georgia Mid
land $50 and the Macon train 100. A poll
of these trains showed the voters largely
for Atkinson on the average. The crowd
present at the speaking has been gener-
ally estimated at 1000, and it is ackno VII
edged by Ordinary Calhoun, of Atlanta,
and other Evans men that it was strongly
for Atkinson. There is no doubt that the
Evans strength in this section has been
weakened by the debate.
Mr. Atkinson opened the debate with
the statement that it was a somewhat
noteworthy coincidence that the first of
the series of debates should be held in the
city of Griffin, where as a wagon boy he
made his first dollar hauling
cotton, and stopped at the ware.
house of the gentleman who
now presided over the meeting,
while he had become a candidate for gov
erner. He urged that the utmost good
feeling should prevail in this campaign
between two democrats and that all who
attend should determine TO stand by she
old party and support the nominee, who-
ever he might be. In the field Of politics
every man left his every day calling be-
hind, himself as well as his competitor,
and met on a fair and equal field. Every
issue that belongs to legislation Is TO be
made in these joint debates, and all should
be fairly met
NOT To INDULGE IN ACRDIoNY.
"If any man had come expecting to
hear Acrimonious and bitter discussion, he
will be disappointed. He recognized the
high character Of his opponent and would
do and say nothing harsh or unjust. ''We
are here for more than personal reasons,
here to strengthen the whole Democratic
party He reviewed briefly the work Of
the democratic congress, and said that
while il had not done all that was ex~
expected, it had done much AS demo-
Gratis there was much in which we might
be disappointed, but nothing 10 make US
hang our heads in shame
THE TARIFF.
On the main question, that Of the tariff,
the House, Senate and President had
worked hand in hand and battled for low
taxes. The House had passed tho tariff
bill and the income tax. The seigniorage
bill had passed both houses and is wait
ing the signature of the President, and
the idle silver will soon be in the pockets
Of the people. The election laws have
been repealed. He demanded that very
plank, and requirement of the platform
should be carried out, and thought every
body out to stand by the old party. IL
some go wrong let us repudiate them, bu1
let US stand by the principles Of the party.
HIS OWN PLATFORM,
But II is not enough for a man TO say
that he stands on the party platform; he
must say what he understands by il and
lay down a specific policy. As for him.
self he was in favor of a tariff for revenue
only, with the highest tax on luxuries and
the lowest on necessities, taking taxes
from the shoulders Of the producers and
placing it on those of the milhonaires. ,
am as much in favor of sound money as
any man, and want every dollar of equal
value. But do not belong 10 that class
who believe that gold is the only honest
dollar, but believe that the government
can float gold and silver side by side audS
free Of charge for miutage.
FAvoRs A STATE CURRENCY.
The repeal of the Sherman law makes
an increase Of the currency necessary.
and we should return to the right Of tho
state 10 issue its own money and repeal
the state bank tax More than that, I
am in favor of not waiting for an inter-
national agreement; 1t is too remote, but
give us free coinage on a parity at once,
and make gold and silver the money Of
final payment / aQp in favor Of bi-metals
ism, not simply as theory, but somes
thing we want right now.
STATE AFFAIRS.
In state affairs, Mr.. Atkinson declared
in favor of the enforcement of the law,
keeping up the military for the preservaA
tion Of peace, the maintenance of the rails
road commission, but TO see that personal
property in railroads is not wrecked
while the people are protected from ex@
orbitaDt rates.
Enforce the contract with the lessees
OF the convicts and see that convict labor
does not come in competition with free
labor Preserve the common schools and
foster and encourage their growth. No
farmer should have the excuse that he
must move TO town TO educate his child
ren. He would encourage the building ot
public roads, economic and low taxation.
We should look TO the future and move on
practical line, guided by wise and broad
statemanship TO develope our mines, in
crease our factories and double the yield
ing capacity of our farms.
HIS VOTE AGAINST THE HOME.
Coming down to personal matters, tho
speaker defended his vote upon the Con-
federate Soldiers Home, and expressed
himself in favor Of pensions. He asked
his opponent whether he indorsed the at
tack upon his (AtkinsOn's) vote on the
soldiers home He had not made it an
ISSUE but since it had become one, he
wanted each candidate to take his stand.
THE oCALA PLATFORM.
1t was charged that he voted for the
Ocala resolution, Resolved, That our sem
ators and representatives in congress be
and are requested 10 use their influence
and votes to secure Legislation which will
correct the evils complained Of by the
National Farmers Alliance and Industrial
Union in convention in Ocala Fla, and
the evils complained Of by the Democratic
party, especially those that relate to the
present financial and taxation policy Of
the government" He voted for it because
he was in favor Of correcting every one
Of the evils complained of, and he chal-
leugcd his opponent to say where he stood
on the matter, let him either avoid the
change or slap his friends in the face who
made IL.
HIS WORK FOR MS PARTY.
The speaker wanted 10 know if this
people is ready TO say that a man who
qarvaa hie rarfv ia IN ba ffacad at a die