The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-04-03
HOBSON AND BANKHEAD
AROUSE THE NATIVES
Sailor Forces Representative to Hasten Home to Save
Seat-Joint Debate Causes Paroxysms of Delight

like, and how the establishment of a
great navy would insure the permanent
peace Of the country. He told them OF
Drake. of John Paul Jones. Of schlcy.
and they began to believe that Caeir
own young man was greater as a naval
commander than all of them.
Kissed the Babies.
Pursuing his oscuIatory instincts he
kissed all the babies, and IL is said that
he did not refuse to bestow smaclxs
upon the n7aidens when they were anx-
ious. In fact, ne pursued all the art
tul tactics OF an up-tO-date politician.
and the result was that soon Bank
head was forced TO take notice OF the
young man and 70 hasten home to re-
construct his fences. At the beginning
Of his campaign Hobson sought to have
introduced in the House his hobby"
bill for the appropriation Of %. COO. 900. 900
for the navy. Bankhead would not
father it, neither would any other mem
Der. but Mr. Wiley OF Alabama did in
trOdUce il by request" HobsOn has
been playing the hero role for all it is
worth among the plain people, and has
de mOnstrdted the fact that even thc@
will applaud "A brave and daring ex-
plot such as the sinking OF the Merit
mac.
For several weeks past Hobson and
Bankhead have been touring the dis
trlct in joint debate HobsOn has been
talking about his $1,000. 100000 navy, and
has promised TO get il if the people
will send him 10 Congress This sort N
talk, instead of raising a storm Of pro-
test on the ground Of extravaganza. has
been received with wild demonstration,
almost hysteria.
IN answer. Bankhead has pointed out
that an appropriation of this size would
cost the State Of Alabama alone nearly
so, OO0. 900. AS a counter proposition he
has advised a liberal appropriation for
good roads. something the Sixth dis
trict Of Alabama very much needs He
has shown that even Alabama's portion
OF the bilIion-dollar navy expenditure
proposed by his opponent would pave
every highway in Alabama, from Hunts
Vile 10 Mobile, north and south, east
and west, with network Of asDhaltea
thoroughfares.
Appeals to Record.
In The canvass Hobson has pointed to
his record in the Spanish-American war;
Bankhaad has replied with his record as
a Confederate soldier for four years.
lie twits HobsOn with having no party
affiliations, and only p'ising as Demo-
crat to get the nomination. HObson re-
plies that he has had no time TO engage
in politics. that he has been in the ser
vice of his country, lighting her battles,
and ;hat brings a round Of applause.
Hobson accuses Bankhead Of being
mossback. and says he has had moro
than his share Of political honors. Bank
head says that Hobson has made him
self a laughingstock by his osculatory
iunkcts across the country, that he goes
in bathing in silk tights with young wo-
m n similarly attired. that he leads
germans and mingles in the dizzy mazes
% the waltz.
Hobson replies by an admission that
he does dance. and admits that h
dances well, and that before the cam
paign Is over that he viii make Bank
head dance. That is the sort or repartee
which brings forth laughter and ap-
plause from the boys IN the rear bench
IS and is a good sample of the discus
sion OF campaign issues in the Sixth
Alabama district
A Heavy Strain.
Under the strain of this sort of cam
Hobson recently broke down
and was forced TO abandon his work for
a short time. and the Struggle mas also
begun to tell upon Bankhead- Hobson
has recovered. however. and the joint
debate has been resumed. The women
are working like Trojans for their
young hero. the old stagers are trying
to pull Bankhead through. and ridicule
Is their chief weapon Of defense. The
contest will be over on April II, when
the primaries are held. for whichever
one OF them receives the Democratic /
will represent the Sixth Ala
bama district in the Fifty-ninth Con-
gTeSs.
There is no chance for a Republican
In that district. no matter how bitter
may become the feeling between the
friends of Bankhead and Hobson- Con-
sentative men who have been watching
the fight believe that Bankhead will
win by a narrow margin, perhaps not
more than 1000. but that he viii win
seems to be generally admitted. 1t will,
however doubtless be his last term.
HobsOn may come to the Sixtieth Con-
gress. II he doesn't become sick OF poll