The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-05
Two Joint Debates By HObSOn and Bankhead. AT 0AKMAN AND BERRY Old Ground is Gone Over by
 The Speakers.
Colonel Bankhead Again is Kissed by Audience and Captain Hob- son Asks for Fair Hearing
 For His Opponent.
BY RRucE KENNEnY.


 Berry, Fayette County. March A-(Stan Correspondence.)- .)-Captain Hobson invad- ed Colonel Bankhead's home county to- night and the two candidates spoke at the Berry High School building to the coldest audience of 200 persons. including about a dozen ladies, that either of them ever stood before. Not a note of applause was heard, not sign of approval or disap- proval was made. save for aplauding Hob- son, the first speaker, when he closed, un- til Banlkhead was well along in his speech. It seemed that it was an audi ence of grayen images. It had passed by Hotson's impassionate and patriotic. eloquence and masteriy description. It sat rigid before Bankhead's forcible presen- tation of his work for these constituents. Perhaps the Berry audience had heard from Oakman, where the joint debate this morning was marked by scenes of inde- scribable confusion. termed by. Bankhead tonight as "disgraceful.
 Audience Awakes.
 Anyway, Colonel Bankhead's neighbors at Berry did not wake up tonight until along towards the middle of his speech. Colonel Bankhead was laying his Congress sional record ''alongside' of Hobson's Washington information. Hobson chai- lenged him peremptorily, defying him 10 produce proof when he questioned the veracity of his statements. A colloquy ensued as to the correctness of these two records ..T- "Then these records are bad" said Bankhead
 "Yes, they are terribly bad when man has done wrong Hobson answered and the crowd shrieked, several calling 'Hur- rah for Hobson.'' --~ . A second controversy ensued. and Hob son advanced to where Bankhead was speaking, and, in thunder tones, demand ed that Bankhead furnish proofs or leave the subject. ''The records are wrong" said Bank srWsiI veil. we'll, well.' sheered Hobson | aafsfneatinElT EstNrpfng s'te his seat, ! Again the Berry audience woke up ana \ Another time there was controversy < about a railroad pass. said to have been secured by Bankhead for Lee otts of Greensboro. The Congressman had spok- en of the pass he secured for Hobson to go to Mobile to lecture for church so- ciety He said Hohson could not name another pass. '''' ''''--''
 A Pass for Otis. Lee Otts," called Hobson.. .---E But Lee Otis has denied that over his own signature" said the Congressman. VI aSk yous cTlSo F1oUSoLB uAu yoA SSN the pass?' .a
 what did Lee otts say" T ask you, did you get the pass?' Hob son again demanded fiercely.
 ''What did Lee Otis say?" repeated Col onel Bankhead.
 .'Ah. ah, ah, ah." Hobson almost hissed, holding up his hands in scorn and retreat- ng from Bankhead to his seat.
 At this unusual incident, the Berry au- iience actually yelled. The debate ran along smoothly to the end. nearly o'clock
 Sentiment at Berry is well divided. Hob yon has spoken here before and has friends. It is believed Bankhead will get good majority in this county, but 1t is yaid that he has never carried 1t when he lad opposition.
 This is a fierce campaign. The travelling nerve-racking. Hobson's endurance, hergy and enthusiasm is wonderful His onorous voice continues strong and hs wants to speak at every opportunity. He eems earnestly impressed with the idea hat he can make friends by speaking. The age of Colonel Bankhead makes the york tiring to him. His voice Is husky nd sometimes weak.
 Oakman and Berry were the two ap- ointments today and good crowds were ut.
 Hobson Petition.
 Hobson began today circulating blank etitions throughout the district to- be hgned asking the State Committee to put is name on the ticket
 We drove over from Carbon Hill to akman this morning through the ealthy hills of Walker, passing the once mous home of General Manasco. Oak an liNs in a beautiful valley in the wes- Tn part of Walker and has about 800 Dpulation. There is considerable wealth bout Oakman and many fashionahly essed ladies were in the audience of 800 rsons which met Captain Hobson and 1urch at 1o:45 o'clock. Undoubtedly akman is a Hobson stronghold, but it Ills a large Republican vote.
 The crowd in the church was at times ruly into almost frenzied enthusiasm Hobson Colonel Bankhead spoke at disadvantage. He was interrupted, ssed and snarled at throughout his eeeh of one hour and half. Hobson veral times begged the gathering to ye the Congressman a fair hearing, but crowd would not be controlled.
 Bankhead Asks for Fairness.
 Finally Colonel Bankhead with frmness a suppressed emotion, said he was en- led to fair hearing and he would have If he had to call on the fair men of County to help him secure 1t. There s consolation, he said. in the fact that oh of the noise came from boys and Is who could not vote. It was not fair, said to bring crowds to oakman from roma and other points to pack the eting and hiss him. adding that he id prove this had been done.
 When Rev. w. c. Collum introduced
 speakers men and women were stand
 in every available place. Mir. Collum
 a speech himself He tod of the Movements of Bankhead and Hobson
 an impartial manner and closed by ing:
 so they'll both address us about their hes. their wants. their desires and so
 h."
 obson spoke one hour. Bankhead one
 IT. and half. and Hobson was to close
 hirty minutes. but finding the crowd h him he launched into his navy prop
 ion and his rejoinder consumed nearly
 hour. This was the third time Hob
 had spoken in oakman and hA ex-