The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-24
COL W. H. benson Makes a
Speech and Attacks
the Press
EX-GOVERNOR JOHNSTON
DEFENDS HIS RECORD
zszrnrfa#
Jesse F. stalllngs of ereenvIlle Was
not Present - Speeches Were
Made by 3. B. Conner and
C. F. Mortz.

About 800 supporters of former Governor
Joseph F. Johnston met at the Auditorium
last night. Speeches were made by Mr.
Johnston. Col. w. II. benson, G. f. Nor
itz and B. B. Conner.
The meeting was called to order by
j. ". Allen and on his motion Prof. s. L.
Robertson was elected chairman of the
meeting with the following vice chair
men, though several of the vice chair
men were not present..
W. II. Kettig, w A. Chenoweth. w. w.
Crawford, o. P. Beddow. Hugh McGeever,
w S. Monghon, B. B. Conner, 7. H. Friel,
A. L. Fu1enwider, George w. Shlrling,
p ]. Stith, T. G. Hewlett, Ed Veitch, ].
D. Dwyer Fl. L. Badham, B. f. Roden,
Barnett Merriweather, NJ. Isreal, John s.
Cox, John Hayes, H. H. Mayberry, IL. W.
Perry, ]. b. Reid, A. Latady ]. P. Lee,
w. j. Gilmore, T. c. Culverhouse, John Fl.
Williamson, w. H. Barnard, Col. ]. F. B.
Jackson L. C. Dickey, w. C. Shackelford,
N. L. Miller, f. e. Blackburn, Lee ].
Marx, B. H. Cooper. C. B. Powell, P. G.
Bowman, Col. s. w. Johns. Lee v. Cow
art, e. ]. Black, Gus Ellard and A. ID.
Smith.
Col. w. II. benson was introduced af-
ter announcement Was made that Ex-
Congressman Jesse Stallings who was
scheduled to speak, was detained at Mont
gomery en- account of business. Colonel
benson opened his speech with the asser-
tion that the adverse fies of Johnston
made only one argument and that of
personal grievance. This he denied and
made the statement that since 1871 no
campaign had been waged and no man
had ever fought for office, who was
more anxious to meet the issues than
Johnston. On the other hand, the speaker
claimed, he had never known of men who
were less disposed to meet the issues
than We're the men opposed to Johnston.
He said 1t was due to cowardice and
fear that they would not meet the ques-
tons face to face.
ATTACKS THE NEWSPAPERS.
lie then began TRADE against the
newspapers of Alabama saying they were
oligarchcical and on the side where they
might suck something from the people.
1.-THE great ISSUE" he exclaimed, us
ballot box or whether the magicians and
demagcgres shall rule with their slip
perry, thieving fingers when they count
the votes"
He said Jellxs would not favor fair
election nor make any expression until
the magician from Greensboro waved his
wand. He asserted Jelks was an eleventh
hour primary advocate, and then only
after the magician had said the wcrd He
asserted that even now no one knew
where Jelks was.
From the audience came query:
"Ain't he with General Harrison?" which
was answered, "Oh, God, can't keep up
with MIN" This brought forth another
you are right" which the speaker re-
piled to with, My God, man, was never
wrong"
"Tll follow you," yelled another man.
do that and you will be right, follow
ing the teachings Of God at all times"
responded Colonel benson.
The career of Johnston while Governor
was then referred to- and great stress
laid on the financial management of the
same He asserted that Johnston was a
careful business man of ability, while, II
| turned loose, JellSs would break ]. P.
| Morgan in two years. Another and fiercer
| attack was made upon the newspapers
and the newspapers editors. during the
stating of which he said they were liars
towards and bribe-takcrs. He claimed to
know how to get even with them, though
"They always play for what's In
sight" he said, land all that is neces-
sary is to say Let's have drink and
you have them your way"
In referring to Governor Jelks, he said:
1.-THE Governor is a sporadic advocate
of primaries. He broke out in spots at
various times as Tunstall waved his
magic wand. He has no. politics except
to rob ballot box. If he does not do
such work with his own fingers he knows
ii is done. He has accepted and adopted
every policy ever advocated by John
ston He is not great man, nor of the
kind of stuff that great men are made
of. and the people know it.
"You can send your politicians to the
'hill-billies' and the wiregrass mus
tangs,' but they know them. They know
the truth, and when we blow the horn
on August % they will vote for the truth
and Johnston"
Again referring to ballot-stealing he
said:
"Tll be in ballot box August rs and the
man that steals ballot in that box will
bite the dust that night or else I'll do 1t.
Any man who will pollute the ballot box
or steal vote is a coward and I'M
worthy of any mans confidence; and
propose to see that at one box. at least,
no coward shall rob a single man of his
right"
Ex-GOv. JOHNSTON SPEAKS.
Former Governor Johnston followed
Colonel benson. He was greeted with a
volume of applause which made 1t i'm
possible for him to speak for two minutes
after he stepped forward. Then he said:
II am not a candidate because of the
honor or the pay, but because of duty to
white men. There are great issues in
this campaign--the rights of free people to
govern themselves and the right of every
white man to put one ballot in the box
and have it counted-one ballot just as
he voted it. All other issues are moth
ing until this is definitely and finally set
tied.
"The poll tax is a bride for a man to