Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-11
CRISP-SMITH DEBATE.
Both Speakers Dealt in Personalities
Crisp Was Especially Severe on
the Secretary.

Albany, Ga, April 10.-Albany was the
scene of the fifth joint debate between
Secretary Smith and Ex-Speaker Crisp.
The debate was held in the rear of the
court house under a tent where the Chau-
tauqua is holding it's sessions. Trains of
excusionists poured in from all the
neighboring towns and about $500 en-
thusiastic followers assembled to cheer
on their respective faVoriteS. Secretary
Smith opened the debate in speech OF
an hour and a quarter, followed by Ex-
Speaker Crisp in a speech of an hour and
a half, Mr.. Smith having the closing in
twenty minutes. There were no new ma
terial developments, the speakers follow
ing their usual line of argument Per-
sonalities were indulged in freely by
both, Mr.. Smith assailing the secretary's
past position, reading the Peek letter
and excerpts from Mr. Smiths former
statements. The applause was liberal
and was shared to great extent by both
speakers. The speakers were greeted
with tumultuous applause when they en-
tered the tent and individually when
they arose to speak. Mr.. Smith opened
up along his usual line, reviewing the
history of past events from the gold
standpoint. He favored state bank Is
sues.
Mr.. Crisp's friends were enthusiastic,
and when he arose to speak his follow
ers threw flowers at his feet. The ex-
speaker ridiculed Mr.. Smiths past stand
on the silver question in humorous way
which was interspersed with laughter by
the audience. He challenged the secre-
tary's claim to bimetallism and said his
voice may be the voice of Jacob, but the
hand is the hand of Esau. Mr.. Crisp
made a sarcastic allusion to the Atlanta
Journal and said it should be called the
"Hoke Smith,
Mr.. Carlisle says free coinage is a
physical and metaphysical absurdlty and
physical and metaphysical absurdty
and brother Smith says me, too" Mr.
Crisp dwelt on the scheme to retire
greenback.s and allow national banks to
control the issue of the currency and de-
cried the effort to conceal 1t. In speak
ing of the senatorial primary Mr.. Crisp
said he had "endesavored to let the peo-
pie vote. The eople ought to have a
potential vote in making the platform
and in the selection of a president. Mr.
Smith says he has shut his mouth on
the platform. If he will give his voice
we do not want his mouth. If he is as
far off as now he will be better off If he
keeps his mouth shut"
In the rejoinder Secretary Smith said
he, asked permission for one word of ref
erence. II apologize" he said, for the
expression of opinion of 1892. / was ig
norant For my view of 1894 l have no
apology" He then proceeded to attack
Mr. Crisp's attitude in the house prior
TO his election to the speakership and
charged him with bidding for the New
York votes. Mr.. Smith stated that he
was not a candidate for senator. He then
turned his attention to Mr.. Crisp's can
didacy for the senate and said he need
not announce II. as 1t was plain enough
He closed by sta ting he believed In the
democracy of jefferson and Cleveland
amid loud applause.
While the speakers dealt freely In per-
sonalites, they took 1t good naturedly
and the audience was most respectful
one. and there was not much guying Of
the speakers. AT the conclusion of the
debate men swarmed to the platform
to shake hands with their favorites. and
each considered his own favorite an easy
winner.