The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-11-05

THE Candidates IN Debate
General Hastings and Colonel Singerly
Discuss the Issues.
GREAT EVENT AT NORRISTONN
The Gubernatorial Aspirants Meet Before
Thousands of Partisans and Discuss
the Points of the Campaign in u
Friendly way-Great Enthusiasm.
By the United Press.

By the United Press.
Norristown, Nov. 4.
The most unique event in the history
of political campaigning in Pennsyl-
vania occurred in this city at the wind
up Of the gubernatorial canvass last
evening, Two candidates for the high
est Office In the gift Of the grand old
commonwealth of Pennsylvania faced
each other before thousands of parti-
sans in joint discussion Of the issues Of
the day.
Such crowds were never seen in Nor
ristown as gathered in her opera house
and in Montgomery county's court
house to hear the distinguished gentle
men speak. Men and women struggled,
not for place to stand or sit, but for
place to hear. Thousands were
turned away, because as early as 6
o'clock the green about the stately pal
ace of justice was dotted with eager
groups of partisans, while crowds
pressed close against the closed doors
Of the opera house and waited with the
patience of expectation for them to
swing Inward two hours later.
The Democratic mass meeting at the
court house first received the attention
of the rival candidates. Colonel Sim
gerly arrived first, escorted by the JEFF
ferson club and a brass band, whose
way was illlumined by a MONDAY blaze
Of red fire and rockets. General Hast
ings arrived shortly after escorted by
the Republican Invlncibles and another
band, while the darkness of the night
was punctured by blazing stars and the
glare of coston lights. Upon the arrival
of Gen. Hastings Col. Singerly quickly
walked toward the handsome Republi-
can, cordially took him by the hand,
and the pair of candidates stood before
the audience for a few seconds, when
the Democrat said, in a quick, decisive
way: Now, / want the best order ever
had in Democratic meeting, out of
respect to our guest. ask that for my
self" The asquiesence came in tine form
of cheers of approval.
General Hastings spoke about half an
hour and then gracefully yielded the
floor to Colonel Singerly advising his
hearers, who at times became enthusi-
astic, to save their applause for the last
speech.
AT the Republican Meeting.
1t was close to Q o'clock when a COM
motion at the rear Of the stage in the
Opera House announced the coming of
the candidates. AS General Hastings
appeared arm in arm with Colonel Sim
gerly, a great shout went up, and then
from all over the house, from crowded
orchestra TO packed gallery multitude
of small flags flashed out. The audience
was hidden beneath them. 1t seemed
as if every man and woman in the
audience had one of the tiny emblems
and was bent on giving the distln-
guished guests a red, white and blue
Chautauqua salute.
District Attorney George +. Graham
and Major George b. Orlady, of Hunt
ingdon, had been holding the audience
till the coming of the candidates. On
the outside General James w. Latta
had been speaking to the disappointed
thousands who could not get in doors.
Mr.. Graham Immediately closed his
speech and called upon the audience
to show to Colonel Singerly the dis
tinguished consideration which was due
him as a gentleman and the candidate
of great party. The chairman of the
meeting, Judge Stimson, then intro
duced. Colonel singerly. His reception
was striking one, the audience burst
into loud applause and cheers and the
flags fluttered all over the house.
AT the conclusion of his address at
the Opera house before the Republican
meeting, Colonel Singerly and his party
were driven to the Reading depot,
where special train was in waiting to
carry them to Philadelphia. If Colonel
Singerly could have remained he would
have heard striking reply to his quo
tations from Republican sources on the
subject Of reduction of tariff duties.
Colonel Singerly quoted President
Arthur, President Grant, Senator Nor
rill, Senator Allison and other Republi-
cans as the subject, but General Hast
ings demonstrated from documents at
hand that Colonel Singerly had quoted
only isolated extracts from speeches
on notifications Of certain tariff sched-
ules, and he had not, therefore, given
true expression of sentiment on the
subject More than that, with master
full force General Hastings showed con-
clusively from documents that the
Democratic leaders from President
Jackson down had vigorously opposed
the very doctrine which Colonel Sing
erly advocated. His peroration forced
tlfe fact that no Republican president
had ever spoken of his party as Grover
Cleveland has done, charging 1t with
acts of perfidy and dishonor.
General Hastings was followed by
Hon. Charles Emory Smith, who gave
an eloquent and logical review of the
issues Of the campaign.
Charles II. Schadt, do you believe in