The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-10-22
WATTS IS SORRY
That lie Met Labor Leader Bebee-A Joint
Debate In which tho Falie Friend of La
hor Is Worsted br a Torklngmnn.


Special Dispatch't to the. .Intelligencer.----p,,
CHARLESTON, w. Va, Oct. l.--2
General C. C. Watts. the Popocratic
candidate for governor, struck mares
nest at Campbcll's creek tonight
which he will not. soon forget. He got
himself tangled up with a buzz saw IN
the shape of a labor leader, and when
they were pulled apart the candidate,
Of the Popocracy was hardly recogn!z-
able.
The wreck came about In this way:
Mr.. D. Beebe. of ALTOONA, Pa, a brick
mason and labor leader, who has been
stumping among the miners OF Kama
wha for sound money and protection,
and who has done yeomanS service for
the Republican party, had u meeting
advertised for Colonel Dana's wigwam
at Campbells creek tonight, while
General Watts had one advertised for
Maiden. 1t very early became appar-
ent that Watts would have no audi
ence, for Becbe has created wonder
full degree of enthusiasm and everyone
wants 10 hear him. So the Watts man
ayers executed q plank movement In
order to obtain an audience for their
leader. and they issued a challenge for!
q joint debate between General Watts
and Mr.. Beebe. The Injustice OF the
thing was apparent, but the Republic
cans, conscious of their victory, were
magnanimous, and granted the privi-
legc to General Watts TO address Re-
publican audience and the challenge
Was accepted.
The wigwam was crowded to surfo-
cation and more appreciative audi,
ence was never assembled. General
Watts opened the discussion In
speech OF forty-flve minutes duration.
He made the argument Of the, free sill
yer shouters and when he had consum-
ed the time the audience was well pre-
pared for the treat In store for him.
Mr.. Beebe jumped into the arena like
gladiator and for one hour he waded
into the fnllacies ard sophsstrlcs. of the,
free silver howlers until the audience,
fairly went wild with delight. Mr..
lieeDc. gave q careful, truthful practic-
nj and eloquent presentation of the
issues, and when he reviewed the fall
ures of Democracy and success OF Re-
publican!sm there was no question as
TO the humor OF the audience Watts
was simply outclassed and the labor
leader developed intd a revelation.
Even Colonel Bob Carr, John y. Al
dcrson. Professor Stanlrope Henry and
the rcst of the hot;lc-hnldcrs Of the
Watts side were compelled by the very
noturc Of things 20 admire the great
address nf Mr.. Heebc.
When General Watts arose 10 re-
spnnd he was winded and groggy. lie
dropped the Issues and descended into
m anpcal FOR the personal favor OF his
auditors. lie begged ana plead for tl.,
vote OF the Miners. and In the midst of
his most impressive appeal dozens of
his auditors shouted out That they
wanted ''nroteGtlon and work, not n
| sc'Scn law that had never been en-
forced. = He failed to meet any 81 the
argument OF Mr.. Reebc anu when HIS
time lad expired, he was IN the midst
OF Al TRADE against the Charleston
Evening Mall, which had published
soMc OF his connection With the work.
ings OF the screen lnw.
Mr.. BCebc's ro}olnaer was. n 2crugher
In II Milling talk Of fifteen minutes hp
met every advance % TIE "scneral'''
and completely dcmoralizcd them.