The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-04

speakers remarks Captain Hobson did not intro- duce his naval bill at the start but be- gan by anticipating Colonel Bankhead's remarks and criticising his position.
 Makes Grave Charge. He said that Colonel Bankhead control led the daily press of Alabama and had political machine behind him. My honorable opponent will probably tell you that secured my education from the government and should be in the navy instead of down here running for Con- gress," said Captain Hobson. This is quite true about my education, but 1T the government did educate me, l won the opportunity. l entered competitive examination and won my way to An napolls 1 then finished first in my class and won post graduate course In France.
 "You boys have not had such an oppor- tunity in this district and for eighteen years have been disfranchsed by my honorable opponent. He has not allowed competitive examination and asserts that he will not
 Would Have Competitive Examinations He then explained that if elected he would always have competitive examina- tions for appointments of cadets to West Point and Annapolis among the white boys of the district. Captain Hobson then went into lengthy discussion of his work in the navy and said the construc- ton work on the battleships was respon- sible for their withstanding the fire of the enemy while the Spanish ships were sunk for the lack of such work. After going over his career he said: 'If the government has made me in this man. ner I hope it will make many others in the same manner from the Sixth district" E.-I-;.. nooi.n a1 Da&t~a Captain Hobson then explained why he wanted to be retired from the navy and how Colonel Bankhead foiled his efforts. He said he wanted to be on the retired list so that he could be called on when his services were needed by the govern ment
 He said he could not go back to his work now except by special act of con- gress. While discussing Colonel Bank heads opposition to his retirement he grew very bitter and recited at length the trials he went through in government work which finally injured his eyes. He read letters and explained that Colonel Bankheads opposition was for personal benefit purely.
 If he would refuse to do his duty to one constituent through personal mos tives," he asked would he not do the same thing to others
 Negects His Constituents.
 Captain Hobson then criticized Colonel Bankhead on what he termed his negli- gence in neglesting his constituents. He again said that the work on the Warrior river locks had not been properly done, and that they were entirely too small. He criticized the congressman for not making the Warrior and Tombigbee rivers navgable. My honorable opponent is too closely affiliated with the railroads" ve- hemently said the naval officer, ito grant you river navigation. 1 do not intend to attach the personal character of my op ponent but I want to simply state the facts.
 "You might as well expect the trans continental railroads to build the Panama canal as to expect my opponent to make the Tombigbee river navigable. It par allels the Mobile and Ohio railroad"
 Begins General Criticism.
 Captain Hobson began a general criti- cism of Congressman Bankheads S record in congress, and read at length from the records. He asserted that Bankhead had always voted for railroad subsidies and also for several bills in interest of the railroads in the District of Columbia. He also asserted that Bankhead had voted to give the railroads a monopoly on the cab service in Washington.
 He said that his opponent would prob ably say that the record he was reading from was written by special writing concern" in Washington, and that 1t was unreliable and incorrect. If it Is speech writing concern, l can certainly recom- mend 1t to Colonel Bankhead" he said.
 Not a Democrat.
 He then referred to an anticipated state- ment from Colonel Bankhead that he was not a democrat, and explained that he had not registered because he was still in the United States navy.
 q was born a democrat" he said, and the first chance have to vote am going to vote the democratic ticket" This state ment was greeted with applause.
 Captain Hobson then launched into his naval bill. and as on former occasions said that by having naval supremacy we could control the seas and preserve our rights in China. He showed that by pro- tecting Chinese interests cotton prices would advance from $l5 to $50 a bale. He said that with American ideas in China great things could be accomplished com mercially and for the farmers of the south. He said that the Chinamen indus- trially was far ahead of the Jap.
 Is a Day of Young Men.
 Captain Hobson then declared that this was day of young men and new prob- lems confronted the country which they would have to solve. For this work he said his opponent was unequpped. He
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