The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-04
NO QUARTER WAS ASKED
 AND NONE WAS GIVEN
Both Men Made Bitter Attacks and Such Arraignments of Public Men Have Seldom Been Heard
 In Alabama.
BY BOHEMIAN c. BULeER.

man John H. Bankhead and Captain Richmond P. Hobson arrived at the poll tical Port Arthur of the campaign today and before an audience numbering nearly 700 souls they poured broadside after broadside into each others hulks' the accompanying scenes passing the dram atic and bordering on the tragic.
 The Hamilton debate was merely cur tain raiser to the performance of today and at times the eloquence and dramatic efforts of the speakers carried the spec tators off their feet and the applause was of the spontaneous variety Which only comes from crowds which have reached the keen edge of bitterness.
 Such an arraignment of public men has seldom been heard in Alabama politics and when the bombarding fleets had with drawn for the day both sides were claim ing a victory. In all fairness, however it must be said that the crowd which had swayed backwards and forwards by the torrents of abuse and eloquence fin- ally fell on the Hobson side and the naval hero was given an ovation.
 The Ovation.
  the ovation accorded the new Richmond in Alabama's field of politics came from women, children and republicans but the visiting newspaper men and others inter ested from a distance not knowing the spectators personally could not Vouchsale 0 this assertion There were something Ike forty girls and women in the audience and almost as many small boys. They un- doubtedly took the side of the navy but | nlf fO the republicans could not be distinguish ed in the crowd.
 The words which poured from the lips of both speakers were yitfiolic In thelr intensity and such scenes as were ob- served here today are among the raret1es in Alabama politics Before and after the debate supporters of the two. candidates were bitter in their discussions of the contest and when the champions clashed the appetite for somehng sensational was sharply whetted.
 As Col Bankhead announced in begin ming his argument no quarter was asked and none was given. Captain Hobson ac- cepted the challenge in the spirit in which it was issued and the pyrotechnics be- gan.
 Distinctive Ideas Advanced.
 Outside of the severe criticisms indulged in by both speakers two prominent ideas
  candidacy on his naval bill and Col. Bank head opposed it with a proposition to raise a large appropriation for the inn proyement of public roads in the r'-al districts of the state. He also veher S- " stated that if Captain Hobson I take his naval bill to Washington i'd get one democrat to support 1t he would retire from the race and leave the field to his opponent. This challenge was not accepted.
 Captain Hobson refused to bring up the Peruna incident again though 1t was in- troduced by a voice from the crowd. Col. Bankhead was evidently laying for him with the comic picture rejoinder but the subject was completely ignored by the speakers who felt in no vein for humor. Religion and Politics. The most sensational episode of the day came about through Colonel Bankhead indulging in a sharp criticism of Captain Hobson bringing religion into politics. Though Hobson had noI mentioned the subject, Bankhead forced it to the front He charged that Captain Hobson would preach on one night and lead german the next, and used words to the effect that the naval officer would lecture to Sunday schools and other gatherings for political effect He qualified his remarks by saying that Captain Hobson was a
 
 ious talks were commendable, but that he did not believe. in mixing them with politics.
 peculiar expression began creeping over the face of Captain Hobson who sat near and he gazed steadily at the floor for several minutes. When Bankhead had concluded he sprung to his feet for re- joinder. He began speaking in low, broken voice. and it was observed that I. dIxr f,,a a welled in his eyes and in moment trickled down his cheek. It was indeed a dramatic scene. After apologizing to the women and children for having invited them to such a discussion, he said: My honorable opponent has sought to make you believe that my acts for Christianity have been inspired by political motives. I had not expected such a thrust as this from my opponent, but since he intro- duced it will say that ever since l re- turned from China I have been preaching missionary sermons that something might be done to save those suffering people," As he continued descibing Gepiorable con- ditfons in that country his voice in- creased in strength, and he stretched him. self full length as if in utter contempt of the charge.
 Will Continue to Preach.
 .eWhether he criticizes me or not, or whether you think it politics or not" said Hobson dramatically, T shall continue to preach to save these heather people as long as there is breath in my body" As the last words were uttered his face showed that he meant what he said, and as he brought his fist down upon the table in a determined manner, almost de- molishing the frail structure, the crowd burst into applause. The spectators were completely swept off their feet and tears could be seen in the eyes of almost every woman present.
 Under the agreement entered into at the beginning of the debates. 1t was Captain Hobsons time to open. He spoke one hour and fifteen minutes and Colonel Bank head replied in one hour and thirty min utes Captain Hobson then closed in a sensational speech of fifteen minutes.
 w. C. Davis. the well known attorney, was chairman of the meeting and he in-