The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-01
ARGUMENT WAKES WARM
 FOR NEARLY FOUR HOURS
Spade Is Called Spade and at Times Some Stinging Personalities Are lnduIged In on Both
 Sides.
BY BOHEMIAN c. BuLeER.


 Hamilton, February 2s.-Cvia Guin.)- In heated debate of nearly four hours' which waxed warm with stinging person. alities and the overhauling of ancient and time-worn records Congressman John H. Bankhead and Capt Richmond F. Hob son met here today, and at the political Gibraltar of the congressman war or words was waged which kept over live hundred voters whooping things up as the veteran or the striplng landed a tell ing blow.
 It was the annual gathering day at Hamilton and every man and his son same from the timber to take part In the fun. As a curtain raiser twenty four county candidates spoke to the as- sembled voters before the big show be- gan. but notwithstanding the flow or local oratory the tired and bewildered voters patiently waited for the event and touno it we'll worth their while.
 Failed to Bottle Him Up.
 Hobson failed to bottle up or Merrimac his political Cervera. but he gave him the best he had, and after the smoke had settled it was found that neither crart had sustained a leak and the crowd went away delighted with their view Of the battle from distance
 As Bankhead had promised in advance a spade was called spade and for the time being parliamentary language was suspended and the veteran congressman nrobed the naval hero to the quick and refuted his statements in the plain king
 trNf fxr a n big valise to the table and dumped out fnass of records which made the ex- pectant voters trembe in expentancy. At times the old warrior in reviewing his career in congress grew eloquent and when he drifted into his experience during the civl war tears streamed down his cheeks and the men who wore the Con federate crosses of honor lost control or their feelings and Colonel Bankhead was forced to wait until the rebel yell had suosided.
 Hobson Made Beautiful Address.
 Captain Hobson made beautiful ad- dress showing a wonderful knowledge of The worlds affairs and practically based his issue on the naval bill which he has introduced in congress which seeks to give America control of the seas ana prevent depredations in the orient by foreign powers. At times both speakers worked themselves up to an excited pitcn and freauently bordered on the dramtlc- This was especially true of Hobson, who was evidently experiencing the nervous ness of a maiden joint debate. Drifting into personalities Captain Hobson told or the fame that had proceeded Colonel Bankhead in the west by his photograph and printed testimonial endorsing Peruna This brought forth a hot reJoineo rom the congressman, and they went at 1t hammer and tongs, while the crowd roar ed with laughter.
 Replied to Criticism.
 Replying to the criticism of his endorse rent of Peruna, Banlxhead salu that the medicine complained of was good for ail- ments of all kinds and that it always hit the spot when nothing of stronger va rtety wos obtainabe. The crowd caught fhe intimation and bursts of laughter fol- lowed.
 ..If I did endorse Peruna," dramatically said the congressman, you never saw John Bankheads picture in comic maga- zine kissing another mans wife,
 Colonel Bankhead then went into sar- castle but intensely humorous description of a bathing suit, evidently imaginary, worn by Captain Hobson at Atlantic City at the time he was unable to come to Alabama and register as citizen and vo- fer of the state Captain Hobson was pictured as wearing blue silk bathing suit with a girl on each arm wearing the same kind of material.
 That is what he was doing" said the congressman, ''when he was unable to come back home and qualify as citizen as did you boys who work on the farm :"
 Was Extremely Ludicrous.
 This description was extremely ludi- crous and everybody yelled. After this little diversion both speakers launched into the serious side of the fight and with out giving quarter they fought 1t to finish Charles Almon, chairman of the democratic executive committee, presided and stated that Captain Hobson had agreed to divide time Captain Hobson opened in speech of nearly two hours and Bankhead followed in one hour and fifty minutes. Hobson then concluded in about twenty minutes.
 In beginning Captain Hobson explained that he had not been given but one hour 8 official notice that Bankhead was going to ask for division of time and he thought this a little unfair but said he was delighted that at last he had gotten Colonel Bankhead to meet him. Captain Hobson began his address by telling the voters that he would place them in the position of court of last resort and that he would endeavor to state his case as does a lawyer in addressing a jury.
 Launched Into Naval Bill.
 He immediately launched into his naval bill and said that 1t was necessity He explained it's provisions fully and said that it was important that the American navy should control the seas. as 1t would enable us to prevent foreign countries from encroaching on China, where lay our future market for cotton. According to his figures, this navy will cost in near ly twenty years something like 5000 N0O00, but he explained that this would not bring an increase of taxation on the people. He argued that with this navy the American people would not only be secure but could force other countries to adjust their differences peacefully.
 '1n e cap