The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-04
- Rival Candidates Clash at Jasper and Car bon Hill. ROBSON SEEMS TO BE
 THE PEOPLES CHOICE QuellS Disorder That Colonel Bankhead May Be
 Heard. Congressman Brings Forward the Good Roads Bill to Offset the Merrimac Hero's Measure
 to Make America's
 Navy Supreme.
RY RRucE KENNEDY.

BIZ BRUCE KENNEDY.
 Carbon Hill, March 3.--tStaff Core spondence)-Walker County is stirred as it has not been stirred since the Jones'. Kolb campaign of the early nineties.- In the three weeks of his race for Congress against Congressman John Hollis Bank head in the Sixth District, Captain Rich- niond Pearson Hobson has drawn an amazing following about him in this county a following that is causing the friends of the veteran Congressman seri- ous alarm for his political future.
 Men from other counties of the district, who are well-informed. some of the po- liticai friends of Colonel Bankhead, say that the lower counties are In the same condition; that Robson, by his winning personality, earnest address, dramatic ac> ton and picturquesness has proven wonder In the peculiar art of vote-get> ting. -
 Bankhead Has Rock Road.
 After listening to two joint debates to- day between the candidates at Jasper this morning and at Carbon Hill tonight, and after talking with hundreds of vot< CTS, am convinced that unless Colonei Bankhead. as trained debater. is able to overcome the tide that has flown to Hobson the veteran will have a rocky road between now and April 1Ith.
 Hobson seems to be stalking his chance on the greater navy scheme and stngu- lar enough 1t makes an astonishing hit with these hill people. It appeals to their patriotism and they are patriotic Ala- bamians.
 Colonel Bankhead meets this with a propsssston stos buiidl good roads with the money the sailor would spend on ssaips. Outside of rkiicule and the war record And political record of the respective cain didates these are the issues
 Great Crowds Drawn. Great crowds are following the speak, CTS about. Men, women and children are talking of Bankhead and Hobson. and as soon as one gets into the County, his poe Htical complexion is questioned. The series of joint debates practically began at Jasper today. The fire of each can- didate was drawn at Hamilton Monday, but they got down to steady work this morning Viewed impartially. 1t is hot campaign with Hobson in the lead here now. The joint debates may change this condition, as they are to remain in Walk CT this week ard return here three weeks hence
 The Jasper Debate. W. c. Davis former Representative of Marion County in the Legislature. now aI practicing attorney at Jasper and al Bankhead partisan, presided at the Jas per meeting this morning. John H. Bankhand, Jr., Chairman of the County Committee, was invited by Hobson to preside, but he designated MT. Davis for the honor. The speakers were introduced impartiallv. Jasper had been looking forward to this debate. and notwithstanding cold driszling rain. the court house was filled to overflowing. Six hundred persons, about one hundred whom were women and children, were present. The aisles and windows were filled with men stand ing and every person in the crowd rec nained in his place. intensely interested throughout the three hours of debate No room for doubt was left as to the sympa- thy of the big audience. It was for Hob son, if the women and children there could vote as many times as they please, Hobson would have a walkover.
 The high school was closed and the pupils had seats reserved They had a Hobson yell and 1t rose in vibrant tones over the shouts of their elders.
 An old Scene Recalled.
 The preiiminaries brought to my mind a vivid picture witnessed in New Or leans twelve years ago when James J. Corbett the 1.-the. agile, quick, handsome Npugilist met and defeSted the idol of the prize ring. John L. Sullivan, the slow moving. rugged but heavy veteran. We saw men of similar mould but of widely different character and occupation al Jasper this morning. The end of the drama Is to be enacted April Il.
 Colonel Bankhead, accompanied by his son. was the first to enter the hall. He was applauded but not with the enthu- siasm one would expect for a public man of such long service. Captain Hobson followed alone in a few minutes, and his appearance was the signal for a violent outburst of yells. He bowed and that suave winning smile that Is undoubtedly gathering up votes, was heamed from right to left. Again and again the peo- ple cheered him as he advanced to the end of the hall and spoke pleasantly tc Colonel Bankhead. who resp 1nded agree ably. passing a few remarks. The two central figures in the comedy drama stood talking whle some of the people were aghast at the scene which to them was inexplicable In this mountain district they give no quarter to the enemy and the keenest sort of partisanshfp is prev alent.
 It was announced that Captain Heb. son would speak one hour and fifteen minutes, Colonel. Bankhead to follow IT one hour and a half and Captain Hop son to close in fifteen minutes
 Richard Pearson Hobson.
 Captain Hobson was introduced fin a word by MT. Davis. who presented hin as Captain Richard" Pearson Hobsol A deafening uproar of applause brcke ont and the sailor began speaking be. fore it ended He made his first speech of the campaign at Jasper three weeks ago. and he plunged into an explanation of his return.
 He had planned this week, he said, tc sneak in the back beats of Fayette Coun' tv but on the appearance of his Honor able opponent" which phrase was used througnout the address. he mad changed his plans. He made the remarkable statement that Colonel Bankhead icon trolled the daily press of the State aadlng that this made it imperative lOI