Evening star., 1904-03-24
AL ALBANIA POLITICS
The Bankhead- -Hobson Cam
paign.
JOINT DISCUSSIONS
STUDENTS HAVE FUN WITH BOTH
SPEAKERS.
Other Congressional Contests in the
State-A Hearst and Anti =
Hearst Fight. Is
JOINT DISCUSSION
ci.l corresponaence Of rhe n,ening Star.

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala, March %, 1904.
The contest between Congressman John
n. Bankhead and Captain Richmond F.
Hobson for the democratic Congressional
nomination in the sixth Alabama district
continues to eclipse every other political
fight in this state in point of interest. The
rival candidates resumed their joint debates
at Tuscaloosa last week and have since
been speaking from the same platform
daily and sometimes twice a day. They
never fail to draw tremendous crowds be-
cause of the unique character of the race.
AT Tuscaloosa the daily monotony of the
joint debate was varied by the students of
the State University, who formed sides as
as If they were about to engage in foot
ball game and taking possession Of the gall
leries in the theater where the speaking
occurred, proceeded to run the meeting
The students who were for Hobson were
on one side of the house and the Bankhead
partisans on the other. The voting part Of
the audience was on the ground floor and
was greatly amused and annoyed by the
constant Interruptions from the college
boys, who jeered at each speaker, made all
kinds of ridiculous remarks and asked fool
ish questions. Colonel Bankhead paid no
heed to these Interruptions, though he was
unmercifuliy guyed' by the students, who
urged that he talk about "Peruna," re-
ferring to Hobsons previous charge that
Bankhead's claim to national fame rested
upon the appearance of his picture and In
dorsement in patent medicine advertise
ment. Hobson quietly smiled at the treat
ment his opponent received. but when he
arose and the students referred to him as
Big Ike" he became very angry and
proceeded to soundly lecture them. Later,
when he referred to his Merrimac expert
ence, the students on one side of the house
called out in chorus "toot-toot," indicat-
ing that the naval hero was blowing his
own norm This enraged Hobson, who shook
his fist at the irreverent young men, Thus
this meeting proceeded throughout neither
speaker being able to quiet the noisy stu
dents who seemed to respect nobody.
At Capt. Hobson's Home
On Monday of this week Bankhead and
Hobson were at Greensboro. Captain, Hob
sons home, and there the naval hero re-
ceived an ovation which eclipsed anything
of the kind ever before known in that staid
Old town of colleges and culture At the
conclusion OF his speech he was showered
with mowers by men and women alike and
the audience went wild in its enthusia sm
Ihen Hobson. who had just concluded a
most bitter arraignment of Colonel Bank
neads public record, turned and introduced
MS opponent to his friends and neighbors
announcing that he QIobson) was such a
good democrat that he would support
bankhead Loyalty If the latter received the
nomination Colonel Bankhead was accord
eu respectful hearing, but Hobson re-
ceiVeo almost all the applause. At Cuba an
exciting incident occurred. Hobson. In an
excited tone. asked Bankheads permission
While the latter was speaking to make a
statement then and there as to some charge.
the congressman had made Bankhead de-.
cIlned, and the Hobson men in the audi
ence grew furious and shook their fists at
Bankhead. demanding that Captain Hob
son be allowed to make his explanation
The Bankhead part of the audience sus-
tanned Colonel Bankhead, and it looked for
d rev moments as II the rival factions would
clash, but the presiding officer arose and
quieted the crowd by declaring that Hob
son would have an opportunity at the close
OF Bankheads speech to reply. The greater
t.,oi par. ol H0Dsons speeches are devoted to
attacking Bankhead's record and especially
| MS alleged action in thwarting the retire.
ment of Hobson from the navy by spe-
ciaI ACT. Hobson charges that Bankhead
was instrumental in the defeat of this bill
because he feared that he Hobson) If re-
tired would run against him for Congress.
he even charges that Col. Bankhead turned
0ther members of Congress against him.
iopson biggest card is his greater navy
Dill, which Colonel Bankhead ridicules de-
claring that II this country builds a navv
as large as that of the combined Euronean
powers 1t will simply invite war He aIsn
atiegeS that HobSon wanted to be placed on
tne basis OF pensioner-that he sa,1ebt
through special legislation to run his hand
Hito tne treasury and draw out 500 per
month without rendering service therefor
AT times the candidates become very ner
sonal, and several times personal encoun
ters have been looked for Friends of both
are claiming success. However. the Rank
mead forces are more hopeful now than at
any previous time. Nevertheless. thew
seem to realize that Col Bankhead who is
now serving his ninth term, has the fight
OF his life on his hands The camnaipn
has engendered much bitterness.
Other Congressional Fights.
Lively campaigns are also on in the
seventh and second districts. In the seventh
district Representative John l.. Burnett is
being opposed by John A Lusk member
or the Legislature from Marshall county
and the two have been engaged In daily
Joint debates for two weeks past Lusk Is
making his fight on Burnett because of the
latter's alleged friendship for the railroads
In the second district Colonel A. A WILEY
tne incumbent, Is being opposed by
BlbD Graves of Montgomery. and there the
nght, which is being made largely through
the newspapers. is being made on the rail-
road ISSUE which seems to be the domino MT
issue In almost all the political contests In
this state at this time
The late Representative Chas w Thomn-
son of the fifth district was without on
position for denomination when he died.
Dut his death has brought forth a large
crop or real and prospective candidates for
the vacancy. As the democratic primary