Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-10-25
HIS CONDUCT AT ST. LOUIS
Charged With Drunkenness OH the Floor and
With nterruping Senator Butler.
HIS RECORD IN CONGRESS REVIEWED
There Was Large Audience at Gadsden.
Many Populists Present, Notwith-
standing the Effort to Keep
Them Away-No Rows

Gadsden, Oct. 24.-(Special. Capt. R.
F. Kolb and Col p. H. Plowman arrived
here this morning and began speaking at
II o'clock. The court house was crowded
with not less than 700 people.
Notwithstanding the fact that an or
ganized effort was made by the leaders
of the populist party to prevent their peo-
pie turning out to hear the speakers,
great many of them came from miles
around. In fact, large majority of the
audience was composed of populists. Cap
tain Kolb made a calm and considerate
argument as to why populists should cast
their votes for Bryan and Sewall, show
ing that vote for Watson was simply
half vote for Mckinley. He was listened
to with interest by his large audience and
was frequently interrupted by applause
that was loud and vociferous. His argu-
ments were unanswerable and unques-
tionably he has accomplished great good
for the cause of free silver and the Bryan
and Sewall ticket in this county
In speaking of the candidacy of Colonel
Bullock for congress against M. w. How
ard, he said to the people that the same
reasons prevailed in reference to that
gentleman's race as did in regard to Bry-
an and Sewall; that the real, live issues
of the campaign were between Bullock,
the exponent of free silver, and Curtis,
who stood for the sound money platform.
There the fight rested, and there prop
erly belonged the concentration of forces.
If they really believed in the establish
ment of free silver they should cast their
votes for Bullock. 1t was their duty as
patriots to do this. s
The speaker then touched upon Mr..
Howard, saying that the man was abso-
lutely unfit for the position of congress-
man and as representative of the peo-
pie of this district, and cited good and
sufficient reasons showing why this was
so, stating that while Howard was dele
gate on the floor of the st. Louis conven-
ton he was not only drunk and disorder
ly, but several times interrupted and
actually insulted Senator Butler while
the latter was delivering an address as
temporary chairman of the convention.
He also referred to his (Howard's)
record in congress, showing that he had
been present in his seat actually twenty
nine times during the time he was draw
ing his salary at Uncle Sans crib In
fact, Howard was conspicuous for his ab
sence from his seat during the whole ses-
sion of congress. He did not enjoy the
respect of his fellow members, not even
the populist members.
He referred to the fact that Speaker
Reed had been appealed to appoint>How-
ard on the committee on privileges and
elections, in order that there should be
PoPullSl iilt1UDGT lTOi1l AldDdIna, Out t0aI
Speaker Reed had refused to do it on ac-
count of Howard's immoral character and
his on-attendance upon his duties
Colonel Bowman followed Captain Kolb
and 1t was evident that both he and Cap
tain Kolb continue to hold the confidence
of the people and the populist party.
AT the conclusion of the speeches by the
first speakers mentioned Capt. Charles G..
Brown of Birmingham made an eloquent
address, in which he stated that he was
an old-time. stalwart. black belt demo-
crat. He also complimented Captain
Kolb upon his superb work for Bryan
and Sewall, and said that the gentleman
was just as handsome and genial as ever.
Captain Kolb, Hon. p. G. Bowman and
Col Charles g. Brown left this evening
for Birmingham. Hon. w. r. l.. Cofer
will fill Captain Kolb's and Mr.. Bowmans s
appointments at Albertsville Monday
Hon. N. G. Canning will address the citi-
zens of Fort Payne next Saturday night
in the interest of Colonel Bullock and
Bryan.