The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-06
Both Debaters Eliminate Per- sona|itiGs and the High
 Plane is Reached
AS COMPARED WITH OTHER
 CLASHES II IS QUITE TAME
combatants Leave for Horse Creek In the Same Buegy-Both Say They Will Not Attend State
 Committee Meeting.
BY BOHEMIAN c. BULeER.

BY BOHEMIAN c. BULGER.
 Cordova March 5.-(SpeciaL) )-The polit- cal fires which have been raging in this neck of the woods for the past six days were partially quenched this afternoon by the complete elimination of personalities in the debate between Congressman John H. Bankhead and Capt. Richmond P. Hob- son, and the crowd of 400 people was deeply interested, but evidently disap- pointed. They had gathered in Indian Head hall for the purpose of seeing fur fly in every direction, but both speakers maintained their equilibrium and there was nothing doing in the way of excite ment.
 Thought it was not in line with the agreement previously entered into by the two candidates, an arrangement was made by which Colonel Bankhead was to have the opening, Hobson the reply and the congressman a rejoinder. The former had evidently mapped out new line of argument and went straight into a dis cussion of affairs concerning the Sixth district, and the burning personalities previously injected into the debates were oSA49piSNbue PS tiSi dDStlCe.
 No Ridlcule Attempted.
 Not once did he attempt to ridieule his opponent, and not once did he attack his democracy. The Peruna and bathing suit episodes were evidently ancient history in the mind of the congressman and he stuck to his text from beginning to the end It was a sad day for the rsfer who went there looking for trouble and eis- tinct air of disappointment pervaded the hall.
 The crowd was largely for Hobson and every strong point brought out by the naval hero was loudly cheered, while Colonel Bankheads address was received In cold silence. Occasionally his friends would raise a little shout but the Hob son men would come back at them with 'Hurrah for Hobsonn and the Bankhead efforts were very lame
 The friends of the congressman again made the claim that the audience was largely composed of republicans and that the tenor of the crowd could not be taken as an indication of the sentiment among the rock-ribbed democrats of the vicini- ty. Whether this be true or not the crowd was unquestionably for Hobson, and he mad things very much as he liked
 Cold Statement of Facts.
 To person who has been where the fire was thickest for the past week it IS very difficult to grow enthusiastic over todays clash. The arguments consisted of cold statements of what were alleged to be facts and the much talked of elevated plane of debate was at last reached
 As an evidence of the intense interest shown in the campaign the faces of per sons who had appeared at all the other meetings were observed in the audience fOdaV a ouyS per, Oakman, Berry, Carbon Hill and Horse Creek. The hall was too small to accommodate them all and large numbers were compelled to stand throughout the debate.
 The battle was scheduled to begin at o'clock but Colonel Bankheads train was late and the crowd and Captain Hob son were compelled to wait until after oclock before having their political appe- tites satiated- Very few persons left their seats but remained in the hall for more than two hours patiently waiting lest some one should ge their places.
 Several well informed citizens were asked their opinions as to the probable result in Walker county and nine out of ten of them expressed the belief that Hob son would carry the county. It must be remembered, however, that this is a Hob son town, and most of the men question ed were his supporters. The few Bank head men who were willing to talk ex- pressed the opinion that the vote would be very close.
 Left for Horse Creek.
 Immediately after the conclusion of the debate Colonel Bankhead and Captain Hobson got in hack and left for Horse Creek. where they spoke tonight As the trip entailed a ten miles ride over coun- try road and the crossing of the Warrior river the newspaper posse declined to risk <.F fa1a ,f1 nieation with the larger cities and left on a northbound freight train headed for Birmingham.
 H. J. Mayf1eld, of the Indian Head mills. and candidate for coroner. presided over the Cordova meeting and introduced the speakers. Colonel Bankhead opened up in a speech of one hour but did not at- tempt a rejoinder as it was getting late and the crowd was leaving the hall.
 The congressman began by apologizing for his tardiness. explaining that his train was late, and then plunged directly into his argument.
 Rural Delivery Routes.
 He first took up the matter of rural free delivery routes, and referred to the charge made by his opponent that he had neglected his district in this particular. He explained the system of getting free delivery routes. and said that he had never turned down a petition sent to him by the people. He told the crowd that most of the petitions had been disapproved by government inspectors on account of bad roads.
 Colonel Bankhead then took up the ap- pontment of cadets to West Point and Annapolis and showed that he had se- lected them from the humble walks of life and that nearly every county In the district had been represented. He main- tained that he would always use his best judgement and appoint democratic boys. He was clearly opposed to the system of appointing them by competitive examina- ton.
 Began Yelling for Hobson.
 About this time several persons in the audience began yelling, "Hurray for Hob son" and Rankhead's onnonent re- uuested ths