The age-herald., 1900-04-03
JOHNSTON WOULD
 NOT DIVIDE TIME Day of Political Excitement at
 Dothan. OATES REQUEST REFUSED He Sent Note to the Governor Asking Division of Time-On Refusal
 Another Meeting Was
OATES REQUEST REFUSED

u1Cthdh, Apiil A.-NOpCClii.J dSiIdpOio have troubled the political waters of Hem ry county today, and the prospects are that they will not be calmed before the 14th day of April. That day will probably be the toughest in the history of the coun- ty, as the fight on the sepatorship gov ernorship and county offices is very heat ed. In some instances it is bitter. Mere especially is this the case in the senatorial race. The withdra wal of Governor Oates from the senatorial contest is in part re- sponsible for this condition The majority of the voters were for Oates and it is now a race for his following.
 Governor Johnston opened his campaign here today, and it was his conduct which has so stirred the waters.
 He not only refused to discuss with either General Oates or Colonel Quarles, but the judge of the circuit court, who is the gov ernors appotrtee, refused to grant time for more than the governors talk. This act nained down storm of condemnation upon the governor and his judge from Soth friends and foe. General Oates, Colonel Quarles and Governor Johnston all came here last night. The latter had an ap- pointment to speak, and the two former hoped to gain a division of time.
 Oates Sends Challenge
 Early this morning General Oates wrote the following challenge to Governor Jonn- ston, wt,ich was entrusted to my courtesy for delivery:
 "Governor Joseph F. Johnston:
 Dear Sir:-You have an appointment to speak in this place today in the interest of your candidacy for United States senator. In the absence of your competitor, Senator Morgan, propose joint discussion with you, on equal and fair terms. Very re- spectfully, WILLIAM c. OATES"
 When the note was read toy the governor he read 1t with a very perceptibe froWn on his face, and requested me, verbally, to say in reply: Tell him I respectfully decline. l will not discuss with any one except my competitor I will discuss with Senator Morgan and give him two hours to my one, wherever he will meet me-"
 Immediately after left the governor, he was met by committee of citizens com posed of A. C. Crawford, J. R. Crawford, T. B. Williams, Alex Campbell, George Canter and J. A. Glenn, who requested that he divide time with either General Oates or Colonel Quarles, but the request was refused.
 The governor then went to the office of T. M. Espy, his leading man here, where he was in consultation with friends, among whom was Judge John P. Hubbard. It was agreed that Judge Hubbard would adjourn the court at 11:3O o'clock for the speaking, and at that hour all three of the notal1les were in the court room.
 Time Not Given
 Judge Hubbard announced the court ad- journed until l o'clock to give time for political speaking. MT. Pearce of the local bar politely requested the court to give more time as some one might reply to the governor.
 "The court stands adjourned until 1 o'clock replied the judge. General Oates then rose and, gaining permission, asked the court to kindly give time for Colonel Quarles to reply to the governor He did this at the request of many citizens The request was refused.
 A. c. Crawford then asked for an exten- sion of time but the judge curtly replied ''the matter has already been settled; the court stands adjourned until 1 o'clock"
 Many of those in the court room, disgust ed at what they termed a partisan action, left as the governor was being introduced by T. M. Espy. Governor Johnston spoke until quarter past one
 The only thing new was a clean cut declaration that he proposed to submit his claims for the senatorial nomination to a democratic caucus To quote his language, '1 will go into democratic caucus and am going to abide the result"
 The supporters of Senator Morgan, dis guSteu Wltn thelr treatment, secured brass band and with banner, paraded the streets at the conclusion of Governor John- stons speech announcing that Colonel Quarels would speak at the opera house at 9 o'clock.
 A packed house greeted Colonel Quarels. Colonel Quarels' excoriation of the gov ernor and his able defense of Senator Nor gan were well received by the audience. Tn Governor's Sreech The governor began by saying: "I regret that l cannot speak to the peo- pie of what has been accomplished during my administration without some one claim ing am attempting to reflect upon some predecessor. Such is far from my intention. I regret that I cannot give an account of my stewardship to the people without hav- ing my distinguished competitor charge that I am displaying my goods in a show window. I see that he has recently opened his show window, and the principal objects of display are university lands cotton wcrs and Blair educational billslboth of the latter destroyed by the deadly touch of the senator. If it is an offense to state the financial condition of the state when I entered upon my duties and now must