The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-03-30
4 VICTORY FOR ATKINSON.
The Crowd at HaWkinSVille Seems to
Favor the Son Of COWCta.

The Speeches Listened to by About
o 600 Persons-Gen. Evans Opens
the Debate and is Received With
Cbegrs-Hs Dwells Largely on His
War Rscord-Atkinson' Speech Not
as Good as His Previous Ones.
EawkinsYille, Ca, March 29.-The last
of 1he .oint debates was held here ia the
rresence of a crowd of from 1900 to 1900.
The meeting had been widely advertised,
and but for the inclement weather in the
morning, the attendance would have been
much larger.
The meeting was held on a hillside in
the wiregrass exposition grounds, and
o,vinp to the formation of the ground a
more suitao ole place could not have been
selected for outdoor speaking.
Cen. Evans opened the debate, and as he
arose to begin mis- speech he received lib
e-aI applause. His speech was along the
same lines as those delivered in the
former debates. He stated that he
coin,ided with Col. Atkinson in his views
m national issues, that they did not
differ on the great party questions
Almost his entire time was taken up in
discussing his war record, and belittling
the legislative and party service of Col
Atkinson. He appealed 10 the people to
slaet him to the only Office he had aspired
IN since the war, aud stated that while
ri Atkinson aided in the passage of
Ave important bills in the legislature
he had five wounds received
in the confederate service to
Offset them. He was frequ- ntly APP
plauded, and when he concluded his
sDeech had made favorable impression
on the crowd.
ATKINSON THE FAvoRITE,
When Mr.. Atkinson arose it became
evident. by the loud and continued ap-
plause. that he had the crowd with him.
While those who have heard him in the
other debates say that this effort was not
TO be compared 10 the others, he made a
sDendid impression and made many con-
verts. He said that he rever-
enced the confederate sentiment
as much as any man, but he
thought a man should have other
qualifications for ONCE besides a war
record that he did oppose and fight the
Atlanta soldiers home because be bid not
wish confederate We Grams taken from
their friends and neighbors and put in a
poor house. He called attention to his
legislative course, naming he lmpor Gant
measures which he had introduced and
which had become laws, and explained
hemerlts of the bills. He asked what
Gen Evans mad done for the state and
party to enitle him to the Office of gov
eruor He spoke of his services to the
Democratic party while chairman of the
executive committee, and asked what
Gen Evans had done for the
rarty during the campaign against the
thrd party in 1892 He asked the gen
n nOf n ba n fC
speak al political NEE ing in Bulloch
county in the interest of the Democratic
party in 1892 on the ground that he was a
minister of the gospel.
Mr. Atkinson was interrupted several
times by swans men by questions and in
each instance the answers were received
with great cheering.
When Mr.. Atkinson had concluded
many of the people rose in their places,
waived their hats in the air and yelled
until they were hOarse.
GEN. EVANS CONCLUSION,
Gen. Evans conclusion was a disap-
pointment He did not answer the ques-
lions thaJ had been put to him but again
app aalel to those present to stand by
him. He said his dear dead cOmrade,
Alfred Colquit, COULD speak for him were
he alive and tell what he had done for the
party and state since the war He
ueither denied or admitted writing the
lie ter to BulIo,h county, but said he was
willing to have all of his letters published.
1t was an Atkinson day beyond a
shadow of a doubt, and MIR. Atkinson s
speech will give him boom in this sec
ton Of Georgia
When the Oconee and Western train
left Dublin the people on board were
polled. and the result showed As for At
Hlnson and 26 for Evans
The early Cochran train brought over
twenty-one men from that town, and
seventeen of them were for Atkinson.
After the speaking two out of three men
net were for Atkinson. Mr. Atkinson
challenged Gen. Evans for twenty or more
ONT debates in the principal cities and
towns of the state, but Gen. Evans de-
chned to accept, saying that it was for
his committee to consider