Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-13
SCRAPP|NG OVER SILVER
Debate Between M. A. Porter
and R. M. Cunningham,
GOLDBUG AND SlLVERLOON
Two Valiant Democratic Gladiators Clash
Swords.
PRATT CITY FURNISHED THE ARENA
Both Gentlemen Make Their Positions on
the Financial Question and Local Is
sues as Well So Plain That Voters
Need Make No Mistake.
PRATT CITY FURNISHED THE ARENA

The Joint canvass of Hon. NJ. A. PorteS
and Dr. r. NJ. Cunningham, candidates
to represent jefferson county in the state
senate. began last night in the town hall
of Pratt City.
Notwithstanding the very inclement
weather there were about $50 people pres
ent and heard the discussion between
these two vigorous democrats with the
closest interest. Both speakers were ap-
plauded both apparently having warm
partisan supporters in the audience.
Promptly at o'clock Mayor Powell
announced to the audience the object OF
the meeting and stated that the gentle
men were both democrats and friends
and that the discussion would be con-
Quoted in a perfectly friendly manner,
devoid of all personalities, and that he
was only sorry the inclement weather
prevented so many of the citizens of
Pratt City from being present to hear
them.
He then introduced DR.. Cunningham.
who was to- open in speech of one hour,
followed by Mr.. Porter in one hour and
fifteen minutes DIR. Cunningham to close
In fifteen minutes.
Dr. Cunningham's Speech.
DR.. Cunningham said 1t was the hrst
time he had ever appeared before the
citizens of his adopted county as candi-
date for office; that he had always been
a democrat, and that his candidacy grew
out of this financial issue, and while his
card specified that this discussion would
be directed in the main to this question,
local issues would be taken up as they
arose The time had come When candl-
dates for office must get off the fence. and
not wait until after the election to get OH.
Before entering into the discussion OF
the financial issue he deemed 1t only rlght
and just to the people to make his decla-
ration of principles.
am candidate for the democratic
nomination for the state senate at the ap-
preaching primary election. L bei1eve,
without reservation in the principles OF
democracy and have given the organiza-
ton of that party an unbroken support
since my first vote in 1876. The corner
stone of liberty, the fundamental prin-
ciple of democracy, Is the or the
individual to perfect freedom In bemeI,
thought and action--with only such linn
itatons as are necessary TO project the
equal rights of all,
National Issues.
T. believe in the free and unlimited
coinage of both silver and gold as the
primary or standard money or the
United States, and at the ratio OF 10 10 l:
IF elected l shall vote in the counciis OF
the party for a candidate for united
states senator who will support by vote
and influence these financial principles
and policies,
State and Local Issues.
4 Corpora tions.-There are assocla-
tions of individuals authorized py law
and granted certain franchises ana priv
The primary object of the members or
stockholders is personal benefit to eacn,
ACCOMPLISHED by their assoclatloh; ene
primary object of the people, through the
instrumentality of law in granting tnese
snecial privileges and franchises, is pen
,6t FOR the whole community at large.
The object of both should pe 10 trea'
each other fairly and right TO naiI-
tain an equitable relation between tneIil
is the function of legislation TO ehact
such laws is the duty, therefore, OF the
isgisIator. which duty he should perform
to the best of his ability, without rear OF
To my mind the following legislation
js needed in Alabama:
"a, To maintain as far as the law can
do II inst and amicable relations between
cornorations and their employees. Tne
law cannot fix the price in money TO De
naid for a certain amount or LABOR, nod
the price In labor for certain amount
of money When there is an irreconclia-
hIe difference between capital and labor.
only capital and labor, but the communl-
ty at large suffers In consequence. 10
adjust this difference rightly ana equil-
ably should be the object OF all. There-
fore l am in favor of board or com
mission to be authorized and provided
with power to send for persons and pa
pers to Investigate the d fferences be-
tween them. and to settle the matter as
far as can be done within constitutional
limitations and the equitable and loyal
rights of both parties.
(b) The check nd commissary ques-
tton.--The right of corporate to sell
goods cannot be denied; the right of an
emp,oye to trade at the corporation
store cannot be denied; system (checks,
orders. etc.) to facilitate this trade is,
therefore, equitable and right. But
when a corporation requires one of its
employees, or any numbep<of them, to
trade at its store the whole or part of
their wages or suffer discharge, 1t is
transcending it's legal and equitable
rights and should not be allowed to do it.
OR when 1t uses its system Cheeks or
orders) to build up or foster the trade
or interest of an individual. and not of
the whole community, 1t Is using it's
power unlawfully and wrongly. To pre-
vent these is the duty of legislation. My
own plan to solve the problem is semi
monthly (two weeks) pay day.
tc) Charges, if there be such, for house
rent doctors and insurance fees with
ont furnishing the house. doctor or in
surarce Is a totally unwarranted pro-
cedure and should be punished by fine
and Imprisonment.
2. The convict question.
(e) The state has no right to subject
its criminals to an environment work or
other condition or circumstance other
than those of well ordered. well man
aged, humane prison system, that will
abridge the life, destroy the health or
MAIN the body.
(b) The state has no right to force its
young criminals into relationship that
involves the associs tion and the conse-
qucnt bad Influences of old and confirmed
criminals.
(c) IT Is unjust. fnequitable and wrong
to force the competition of convict labor
upon one class of our fellow citizens.