The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-08-21
a JOINT DISCUSSION.
Populists in Wayne County Butcher
the English Language.


Jesup, Ca, Aug. 2O.-At Rich, in
this county, about eighteen miles from
this place, a Joint discussion was held be-
tween the democrats and populists on
Saturday last Col S Il. Harris, demo-
cratic nominee for senator; Col. J. w.
| Bennett, democratic nominee for the
house, and J. w. Poppell. clerk superior
court Tor the democrats, and Rev. Silas
| thornton, populist nominee for senator;
W. ID. Middleton, popullst nominee for the
House, and Rev j. ". Westberry, the
daddy Of the third party in this county.
Inc discussion was opened by Col.
Harris, who made a ringing demo
cratic speech, and denounced as
false many reports the third
party had circulated IN that district
against him. He was followed by Rev.
! Thornton for the populists, who was
elected from this county by the demo-
Gratis to the legislature, and after being
elected became raDld third partyite.
His address or sermon abOunded in abuse
of democratic principles anG the abolish
ment OF the free pass system, nOJwith-
standing the House journal of 1891 shows
that he voted against a bill TO abolish
| such system while he was in the legisla-
ture.
Rev. Westberrys sermon was a more
bitter denunciation of the democracy
and misrepresentation of all facts
politically than Rev. Thornton's
II his speech could have been
reported verbatim, it would have
been no easy matter for any one to inter
pref 1t. II was the most complete butch
cry of the English language ever heard in
this state from any one posing as public
speaker.
j. w PoppeI followed, giving statistics
showing the prosperity of the county
since 1871. The taxable property at that
time being 100000 and 400 polls, when in
1893 the taxable property was 81 500, GOO
and 500 polls. At this point he was in
terrupted by a third partyite ask
ing why so many advertisements
of sales of property. He replied: BE
| cause they did not pay their debts"
His argument for democracy was fine
effort W. d. Middleton, populist nom
lnee for the legislature, in following,
stated that he appeared before the people
asking their suffrage, stating that he had
been nominated by the democrats and in
dorsed by the populists in their county
convention on July 4, and he expected 10
vote the populist ticket, but he expected
the democrats and pnpulists to vote for
him, stating that he was born, raised and
married in this county, and was the
father of zen children, and expected to be
buried here The principal argument he
/
the county board of education and to
create one in each militia district
in the county; also, he would advocate
the paying of taxes only on the purchase
price OF the lands, saying that taxes ought
not to be paid on the improvements, as it
was mans labor.
! Col. ]. w. Bennett, democratic nominee
for the legislature, followed, making one
of the strongest and most convincing
| democratic arguments ever delivered in
this county He showed up the third
| party fallacies in their true light, correct
ing all Misrepresentation made by the
popullsts by the records in congress and
the Georgia legislature. He completely
riddled every argument offered by the
popullst speakers. At the conclusion of
his address a vote was taken as to which
would vote the democratic and populist
| tickets. A very conservative estimate
would be that the democrats carry the
day two to one, Notwithstanding the dis
trlct is said to be the strongest populist
quarter in the county It is believed by
| the most conservative men IN the county,
that this county will give not less than
500 majority for the democratic nominees.
Discussions will be held in every district
in the county. Arrangements are being
made to have a democratic rally at this
place during the month of Septem Der
Hon. F. @. duBignon and r. L. Berner
will be invited to deliver addresses