The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1896-09-23
HOME PEOPLE GREET GRIGGS.
A LARGE AUDIENCE HEARS HIM DIS
CUss THE ISSUES.

His First Speech in Dawson Daring the
Campaign. Enthusiastically Re-
ceived.
Hon. J, M. Griggs made his first
speech in Dawson Wednesday since the
announcement of his candidacy for the
democratic nomination for congress
several months ago.
That Judge Griggs is popular at
home is attested by the magnificent re-
ception given him on this occasion by
the people among whom he lives-the
people who know him and have never
let an opportunity pass to honor him.
When Colonel j G. Parks arose to
open the exercises the court room was
filled with white voters, while a num-
Der of ladies occupied seats in one of
the jury boxes. In the gallery were a
number of negroes. Colonel Parks
spoke for several minutes, and made an
eloquent appeal for the democratic
party.
When Judge Griggs took the stand
he was greeted with fattering APP
plause. In the beginning he referred
to the fact that this was the first time
he had appeared before his home people
in the campaign, and earnestly thanked
them for their loyalty to him. He then
fully defined his position on the pres
ent issues, and put in some telling liCks
for democracy.
Judge Griggs reminded the people
ho n nIp orly
the issues of the day when he first
announced his candidacy for the dem
Ocratic nomination. Having gone be-
fore the people and having received the
nomination of the democratic party, he
nOWClaimed to represent the party in
his race for congress.
The judge paid his respects to Mr..
Sibley, the pOpulist candidate for con-
gress, and took occasion to say that,
while. he did not believe that loint
debates ever accomplished any good,
and that, in his opinion, their tendency
was to fOment strife, engender bad
feeling and bitterness, still he wanted
to say that he was not trying to avoid
Joint discussion of the issues of the
day with Mr.. Sibley, the assertion of the
latter to the contrary notwithstanding.
He had not seen fit, in response to
telegram received from Mr.. Sibley. to
accept an invitation to divide time
with him at his (Mr. Sibley's) appoint
ments throughout the district dur
ing the month of August, but if Mr..
Sibley wanted to have "scrap" with
him all he had to do was to seEd an in
vitatiOn, which had not yet been done.
Judge Griggs was literally applaud
ed throughout his speech. The people
of Terrell are with him in this cam
paign, and will give him handsome
majority over both Of his competitors,
MR.. sIBLEY SPEAKS.
Hon. John A. Sibley, the populist
nominee for congress, spoke in Daw-
son Saturday to three or four hundred
people. He discussed the issues
from the populist standpoint, and
elected loud and frequent applause
from his pOpulist hearers,
Mr.. Sibley is an interesting speaker
and held the undivided attention of
both pOpulists and democrats through
out his address Of two hours and
half. He created great deal of fun
in his gOOd-humOred references to
Judge Griggs, and declared that he
was anxious to meet him in Joint de-
bate, and would do so if an opportunity
was presented,
Mr.. Sibley is a gentleman of fine APP
pearance and pleasing manners, and
makes good impression upon all who
meet him.
He made four speeches before leav-
ing Terrell county-at Dawson Satur-
day morning, at Dover Saturday night,
at Brentwood Monday morning and at
Parrott Monday night.
WILL MEET IN JOINT DEBATE.
Judge Griggs and Mr.. Sibley both
tell THE News that an agreement has
been reached between them for Sc ries
of joirt debates next month. Daw son
will get one of them.