The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-10-28
AN EVENING
OF ORATO.].R|Y''.
Democratic Speakers Discuss
the Issues and Candidates
at Corcoran Hall.
Mr.. WITHERs MAKES A HIT
Senator Barksdale Arouses Great
Enthusiasm-Mr. Pollard's
Strong Appeal.
Mr.. WITHERs MAKES A HIT

An audience OF about two hundred peo-
pie at Corcoran Hall last night listened
for two hours to Democratic elector-
!at-large and two district electors in their
presentation OF tho Issues OF the national
campaign, and literally applauded the
arraisnment OF the Republican party and
the faying OF President Roosevelt.
The speakers were Hon. John Garland
Pollard, OF this city; Hon. Robert, ".
Wdthers. OF Nansemond. elector for the
Second District, and Senator William P.
2Barksdale, OF Halifax, who aroused the
crowd to the highest pitch OF enthusiasm
by his vigorous and scathng arraignment
OF the President and his negropnilism.
Ono OF tho most noteworthy expressions
OF approval from the audience was that
which greeted Senator Barksdales en-
phatic declaration that he had no apollo
giles to make for having supported with
all the ardor Of his nature William Jen-
nings Bryan. When the speaker a mo-
ment later mentioned as evidenc OF the
reunion OF all factions OF the Demo-
cratic party the fact that While Bryan
was on the stump arousng tho Democracy
OF Indiana, Grover Cleveland was appeal
ing for Parker In New York. the audience
=
Teddy's Inconsistencies.
Mr.. Pollard. who made the first speech.
reviewed the record and pointed out the
contradictions and Inconsistencies in the
public career OF Mr.. Roosevelt, making
a vigorous attack on the Presidents poll
cies. He quoted from the published ut
terances OF Roosevelt. tho President
Mr.. Pollard took up successfully tho
~ 10 4 a. ita riaro
and charged tho administration. with a
pretence OF enforcing the law against I'M
lawful combinations in restraint OF trade.
The Congress, on the initiative OF q
Democrat, had made a large appropria-j
ton for the enforcement OF the Sherman
law. but the party in power had made
prosecution In the Northern Securities
case alone, and had thereafter left uneX-
spe?c:,l TAG large SUP available FOR the
prosecution OF other trusts whose opera
lions more vitality concerned the people.
Hon. r W. Withers, who followed Mr..
Pollard, was well known to members Of
the General Assembly, but not so well
known to his audience, when he began.
When he concluded his address OF an hour
he had maintained his reputation as
ready debater, clever raconteur and no
mean humorist, and as q brilliant young
orator, who could carry his audience
with him to heights OF eloquence In.
closing his speech Mr.. Withers quoted
with fine effect InEersoll on Napoleon, and
applied the quotation to President Roose-
Welt, to whose ambition everything that
stood in tho way was sacrificed. His Inn
parchment OF the President for his vio-
zlation OF the Constitution and his abuse
Of his powers was brilliant effort,
Tho speaker interspersed his arguments
with a number OF anecdotes effectively
utilized for illustration. In his eloquent
pa rallel, in which President Roosevelt and
Napoleon were pictured. the speaker
aroused his audience to an atteYtton more
responsive than applause, He contrasted
with the President his opponent. Judge
Parker, to whom he paid a handsome
tribute.