The age-herald., 1898-03-27
HARSH RALLY AT
 THE OPERA HOUSE Brass Band Dispensed Music and Kept Time to ReSOundinS Speeches. R. H. KERR THE CHAIRMAN Words of Praise for MF. Harsh and BOu-
 Qu0tS for Nat Miller. BOWMAN, BEDD0W AND WHITE extoIed the Virtues of Their Candidate and BesOught the Voters to Cast Their
 Ballots for Him John C.
 Pugh Spoke.
BOWMAN, BEDD0W AND WHITE

The opera house was comfortably filled with voters last night to listen to the speeches in advocacy of the election of G. R. Harsh to the senior judgeship of the city court
 brass band paraded the streets during the afternoon with large banners inviting the people to the grand rally.
 The most noticeable feature of the speak ing, aside from the words of praise for Mr. Harsh, was the compliments bestowed upon N. l.. Miller and the numerous jokes gotten off at the expense of pr. Gillespy, chairman of the democratic executive committee and alleged candidate for the clerkship of the city court.
 R.H. Kerr
 R. H. Kerr, chairman of the Harsh cam paign committee, presided over the meet ing and made the opening speech, and among other things said:
 Fellow Citizens and Fellow Democrats:-- I am glad to see this magnificent gather ing this evening for two reasons; first, be- cause it indicates to my mind that you realize and recognize the importance of passing upon the candidates for the judicial offices of this county. There is no more important office in the gift of the people than that of the judicial office; there are no more interests combined in all offices than in the office of judge-than in he who sits as judge in your court Second, that you consider yourselves qualified as com petent to pass upon this important ques- tion-to determine for yourselves whom you would have as candidate for this inn portant office. We have tonight gathered in the interest of one of the most brilliant lawyers of this county-one of the candi- dates for the senior judge of the city court of Birmingham. (Cheers).
 Twelve years ago G. R. Harsh entered upon the practice of law at this bar and became a citizen with you of Jefferson county and of Birmingham. From that day unto this the record of his ability has been written in the reports of the supreme court of your state-in every volume that has come out from that august tribunal. from that year until this year. You know his record, and we leave it to you to decide whether or not you shall exalt him to that noble position of which he aspires.
 C.P. Beddow
 MT. Kerr then introduced c. P. Beddow, who said:
 Being a Harsh man. am delighted to see so many present tonight. It shows that the people of Jefferson county are standing at his back. We have tonight had and will have one of the warmest campaigns that has ever been carried on in Jefferson county. Few unkind wni ds have been said of Mr Harsh. On the other hand we have no unkind words for MT. Wilkerson. He decides questions according to his judgment and deals out equal justice to all. But he has followers of whom I cannot say such words in praise.
 ''They have discovered that once upon time MT. Harsh was carried before a certain examnating committee, and an- swered questions which were propounded to him.
 MT. Beddow then read from paper some of the questions asked MT. Harsh in the contested election case of Grove vs. Un- derwood, and the answers thereto.
 Mr.. ReddOw said the enOrmity of the crime MT. Harsh had committed on that oc- casion was governed entirely by the tone of voice in which it was read. If were a candidate" said MT. Beddow, 'I would have that published as a recommendation and send it broadcast over the county" re- ferring to the part in which MT. Harsh said he would not vote for man If he did not believe him fit for the office for which he was running. Applause)
 "At the time of this investigation" con- tinued the speaker, politics was so rotten that the man in the moon was compelled to hold his nose while passing over Ala bama." (Applause)
 "Mr Harsh has entered and won more suits for the oppressed than any other law yer in Birmingham. What can be brought against him? What can be said against him? Then why not elect him to this judge ship" (Applause.)
 John c. Pugh
 John C. Pugh was the next speaker He said: I am glad to see so many here this evening. l do not look upon it as a demon- stration in favor of any individual. I care not for MT. Harsh; I care not for MT. Wikerson. But one is for free coinage of silver and gold the other stands for the single gold standard. You may argue that a position in the judiciary has nothing to do with the money question. But to elect gold standard man to any office is a reward for rebellion against the dem ocratic party
 Free silver men who are supporting Mr. Wilkerson are not consistent and they will regret the stand they have taken. Wilker- son is antagonstic to the party and its principles
 r. G. Bowman
 P. c. Bowman was the next speaker. He described MT. Harshs private life as one so pure that he (Bowman) had endeavored to initiate him. He created great deal of laughter by his references to candi- .1-..1 AN 4