Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1903-08-07
INFAMOUS LIAR
!. WHAT col. COFFIN CALLED
GOV. DAVIS AT sWlFToN
THURSDAY.
l.. yandeventer Also Calls jeff a
Liar, But Jeff Ran Away
and Wouldn't Hear 1t.
vandeventer Also Calls Jeff a

cu;+ou Ang. 7.-Several thousand
sone, representing all the surround
country. attended the barbecue
nd ioint debate between the Demo-
Ratio candidates for governor, given
ndor the auspices of the SWifton Cor
| Of hand, at Swifton yesterday.
The joint discussion was character
od hy tne most virulent language
hon the part of the speakers, and
|roved one of the bitterest battles
words yet had in the present cam
hign of Jeff Davis to succeed him
biz for third term. The affair was
|ntirely in the hands of the govern
s partisans, and Davis badges large
predominated among the multitude,
! this section is regarded as one of
$ strongholds.
| The time of speaking was delayed
htil 2::30 in the afternoon, and the
byernor was allowed an hour and
hlf as he was the opening speaker.
his hardly gave his opponents a
J lance until the crowd had begun to
latter, and then the band insisted
playing between speeches, though
liked to allow the other candidates
speak in immediate succession.
|Gov. Davis defended his work as
torney general and governor in the
|osecution of the trusts, and his ef-
It to accomplish legislation barring
lem from the state.
|One.third of his pardons, he said,
Pre- to restore citizenship, and the
Fdon of Pomp Brown, negro, for
! assault of a white woman had
en asked by the Judge trying the
be. He said the story that he had
fdoned six negroes for assault of
Plte women was an infamous lie,
= denied that John Keel and an
Der man from Jackson county had
en paid 5000 to secure pardon
Bob O'Neal, as neither of these
n had to make a living peddling
fdons. The governor said he had
affidavit from Attorney Fuller that
mad never disclosed to him that
nrm was to receive a fee for par
fhg DR.. Johnson; that Fuller had
e to DR.. w w. Witt, penitentiary
fslclan and asked for a certificate
Pohnsons bad health, but had been
Ilsed because Fuller was voting
inst TIE gang.
II. Vandeyenter at this juncture de-
paed the affidavit, but Gov. Davis
sed, declaring that his word was
y enough for any man. Mr.. Van
enter said: mot for me-" The gov
" SAID he had made mistakes, and
~ Johnson came to his Office
oays ago to thank MIN it made
MAD and he ordered him out.
closing, the governor said Mr..
oeVenter would not carry a town
IN his home county, and said that
iao Just received a telegram from
way county saying Mr.. Vandeven-
lad been refused a statement from
county officials that they believed
VVandeyente9 would carry his
Q county.
T. Nandeyenter doubted the re-
ol such a message, and demand
mat the governor show it.
'iS walked over to his opponent
said; Who's afraid of you?" to
WI Nandeventer was quick
sh to say, You are" The gov.
turned and addressed the crowd,
ls; I spurned you (referring to
'esehter) over the whole state"
r Davis then left and Mr.. Van
nter severely arraigned him in
'enC language for his unfairness
y division of time, which would
even nave been fair toward a
p The speaker referred to the
"0' assertion that he "would
faeacn him from hell" and said