The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-08
GOOD HUMOR SUPPLANTS
 ALL BITTER FEELINGS
Yesterdays Debate Was Last of the First Series-Candidate Meet Again at Tuscaloosa
 Next Monday.
BY BOHEMIAN c. suLeER.

Fayette. March -(speclal)-Captain Hobson and his hostile fleet attacked the ramparts of Congressman Bankhead at Fayette today. and for the first time during the past seven days was repulsed by the forces of the veteran statesman, while a crowd of more than 800 voters watched the maneuvers and cheered their respective leaders on to victory.
 It was clearly a Bankhead day, and the people of the congressman home town gave him a real ovation. Feeling the ln- spiration of having his people behind him Colonel Bankhead made by far the most effective speech he has delivered during the present campaign, and it is but fair to say that he received the principal share of the applause
 Captain Hobson also received liberal encouragement and was courteously treated throughout hls address. In fact, the crowd was decidedly the most good humored assemblage that has yet greet ed the debaters, and that bitter feeling which has characterized many of tha meetings was entirely absent Frequently some man in the audience would yell "Hurrah for Hobson," only to be drown ed out by counter cheers for Bankhead Everything was done in a generous spir- it, however, and both speakers were con tinuously in smiles over the humorous incidents of the debate.
 Judge Adjourned Court.
 Judge Sprott adjourned court for ths speaking, and long before the appointed hour had arrived the large court room was. filled to overfiowing and there was equally as large crowd on the outside which never got in hearing distance of the speakers. There must have been 1900 people in the court house and public square. and at one time it was suggested that the debate be held In the open air. but this was found impracticabIe
 There were so many people in inc little county seat that the hotel aceommoda- lions were entirely inadequate and num- pers or visitors. including not few lauies' had to sit up all night in the lob- by of the leading hotel
 Both speakers followed the same lins or argument they have pursued for the past week. but enough spice was iniect ed into the debate to keen the crowd laughing at times when they were not deeply interested in the advancement of Legislative Ideas. When Colonel Bank mead had finished he was presented two baskets of flowers. bearing from the ladies of Fayette.
 Hobson Has Train Held.
 Before the hour for the debate rlVeu' captain Hobson wired to of the Southern railway and ma engagements for the eastbound passe train for Birmingham to be held at tn station until the discussion was ended. The train was compelled to wait forty nve minutes and Colonel Bankhead used this for a nice reply to Hobson's attack on what he terms Bankheads afflliation with the railroads. Tn answering the charge Colonel Bankhead called attention to the fact that he did not own any rail- roads, and loudly excaimed You will notice, 1gentlemen. that as long as I have lived in Fayette have never been able to have train held here for forty-five minutes as has my distinguished young friend All he has to do Is say for the train to stop and 1t stops. When he gets ready 1t moves on" This thrust at the naval hero created great amusement, and there were loud cheers for Bankhead which the Hobson people attempted to answer but failed
 Hobson Opens.
 According to agreement, Captain Hob- son opened the discussion in a speech of one hour and fifteen minutes, and Colonel Bankhead replied in the same time, and Captain Hobson was then given fifteen minutes for rejoinder.
 Mir. Sanders, a well-known Fayette att torney presided over the meeting, though Colonel Bankhead introduced Captain Hobson to his home people. This little pleasantly seemed to imbue the audience with good humor. and though the specta- tors frequently attempted to outdo eacn other in the matter of applause. not a spark of bitterness could be observed in the vast crowd, which filled every nook and corner of the building.
 Captain Hobson began by telling the people that he was not stranger among them as he had spoken there before. He explained that in order to discuss the is- sues with Colonel Bankhead from the
  over his tracks and give the people an opportunity of hearing both sides of the question.
 The naval hero referred to the fact that his opponent had to certain extent dropped his ridicule and he was glad to have the debate on a higher plane. He then began by reviewing his naval record In answer to the statement of Colonel Bankhead that he had been educated by the government and was not entitled to be on the retired list long as his coun- try needed him. He showed that he had won the opportunity to get this education and had done the best he could for his country after he got It. He told of his work In saving the wrecked battleships and of his long work as a constructor.
 Competitive Examinations.
 Captain Hobson took up the matter of competitive examinations for the appoint ment of cadets to West Point and Am napolis. and charged that the boys of the Sixth district mp Co this time had been dlsfranchised If elected he promised to give a competitive examination to be par ticipated in by all the white boys of the district This remark was received with cheers.
 The speaker then went Into the subject of his attempted retirement and again re- lated the trouble he had had with his eyes and how he attempted to get relief but was blocked by Congressman Bankhead He maintained that he wanted to be re- tired that he might be able to answer a call for his country when his services were needed. He read the usual letter about members of the house committee voting against his bill because he wanted