Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-20
CUNNINGHAM AND PORTER
Great Crowd Out to Hear the
Two Gallant Democrats.
CUNNINGHAM FOR SILVER
Porter, Like Clever Lawyer With Bad
Case,
DEFENDS THE SINGLE GOLD STANDARD
Convict and Commissary Questions Were
Thoroughly Discussed-Jud 2ing by
Demonstration It Was a Free
Silver Crowd.

DIR. r. M Cunningham and Mr.. M. A.
Porter candidates for the democratic
nomination for state senator met in spir
tied debate at O'Briens opera house last
night The audience was large and gave
both the able speakers careful attention,
appreciating and applauding each point
made 1t was plain to be seen, however,
that 1t was a silver crowd by large ma
5ority, even though Mr.. Porter told
funny story about a few creatures max
ing great noise.
DIR. Cunningham opened the debate in
an hours address. In general terms he
denounced the single gold standard as
wrong, and declared that silver and gold
Is the money of the democratic party and
of the constitution. He then read his
declaration of candidacy, commenting
upon each point, and said that If he is
elected member of the senate he will
vote for a silver advocate for United
States senator and for any and all meas
ures restrictive of corporations, to pro-
tect the equity of the merchant and the
laboring man.
II am not an enemy of corporations,
said DR.. Cunningham; "and l want to
emphasize this, but think there are linn
itations upon their powers that should
be enforced ] believe there should be
pay day for the workingman at least ev-
cry two weeks, and | will favor any law
that will give 1t to him.
II am not a lawyer, but have consult
ed good lawyers on this point, anu they
tell me that such a law will be constitu-
tional. l want to say right here that
will vote for a re )rn law all tnsinua-
tions to the contrary Notwithstanding.
Passing to the convict question, DR..
Cunningham said that it is local ques-
tion. Here in Jefferson county 1t is
burning issue, but that 1t is difficult TO
persuade the citizens of Dallas county
to look at it as we do. The trouble about
the whole thing, he said, is that the sys-
tenn is all WRONG.
The speaker then went into an elabor-
ate discussion of the financial question,
making his points strongly ana showing
a careful and thorough study of the SUBJ
ject Incidentally he paid his respects
to Carlisle for his financial flop and his
efforts to compass the defeat or Senator
Blackburn, 1t was Mr.. Carlisle of '7S he
loved, and not the man of today. Dr'
Cunningham closed with a burst of elo-
quence that brought a round of ap-
plause that fairly shook the house
Mr. Porter then spoke for an hour and
a quarter, and from his standpoint gave
a clear logical and concise argument.
In opening he said that the doctor ::
speech was mere SKY scraping oratory;
that 1t was assertion, not facts, and pro-
ceeded to back his statement with
closely knit and carefully worded argu-
ment that commanded the admiration,
If not the Endorsement, of his hearers.
That his audience was not in sympathy
with him was evidently recognized by
Mr. Porter, who casually thanked the
doctor for the goodly attendance of free
coinage democrats.
He went carefully over the ground
usually covered by the advocates of the
-ein cta and in conclusion
devoted few minutes to discussion OF
local mat ters. He roundly denied the i'm
putation previously made that he is a
corporation candidate, and broadly made
the assertion that the doctor himseii
was making 5000 or $400 month out OF
the Tennessee Coal and Iron company.
He argued that law for two weeks
pay day would be unconstitutional
In response Dr.. Cunningham said:
"When | determined to become candi-
date for the state senate / did not con-
suit the officials Of the Tennessee Coal
and Iron company and not one of them
nor any man in the employ of the COM
pany knew anything of my Intentions
until my announcement was published.
I told the company then that my resigna-
tion was ready if 1t was desired. l was
not and am not in favor of the COM
pany's candidate for governor nor the
eompany's candidate for United states
senator | did not want to lose my job.
bat could not and would not be con-
trolIed In the matter of politics. My res
ignaton was not accepted, and that it
was not leave to you, gentlemen that
1t was a testimonial of the confidence
In which am held by this corporation.
Answering Mr. Porters point about
Confederate money he was loudly ap-
plauled when he eloquenty declared
that every dollar would have been good
had the confederacy trlunphed.
Ap Eloquent Conclusion.
DIR. Cunningham's peroration which
was greatly admired. was as follows;
when the material things of this
world were created there were two sister
metals hidden In the bowels of the earth.
created and placed there by Almighty
God and endowed by Him with intrinsic
qualities not values-of purity, virtue,
beauty and durability, t. come forth as
needed by man Gods noblest creature,
to be the joint queens of his industry,
commerce. and business Their mission
was to mix and INTERN gle with the peo-
pie going together or alone. but always
keeping step In harmony and peace,
neither claiming superiority or excellence
over the other Their names are silver
and gold silver, the more stalwart of the
two is white, and gold the more delicate
aud beautifu' is yellow The durability
of hotf the ductijity of the one and the
maleablity of the other enable them to
eucircle the globe with a girde Of white
and to cover the latter with canopy OF
yellow. They loved each other and the
people too; and the people loved each and
both of them Thus between them there
was no Jealousy. and the people trusted
one as they did the other. Alone or in
company they went up and down the
earth carrying joy. pleasure, prosperity
and happiness to all homes, rich and
poor. throughout the land. But alas,
alasi There was seducer. His name
was Creditor The beauty and delicacy
of gold enamofed him. To her he paid
especial court, not because he loved sill
yer less but because he loved gold more.
Gold yielded and from that day TO this
has been at enmfty with her sister. sill
yer. When rulers fall out. so do sub
jects. The people took sides The rich
and powerful enlisted in the cause of the