The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-06
JOINT DEBATE BY
 THE CANDIDATES Conner and Cunningham Will Speak Twice Today CANDIDATES ARE FRIENDLY No Mud sIlneng Will Be Induged in by Asprants for the Governor
 ship--No Political De-
 veopments.
CANDIDATES ARE FRIENDLY

For the first time in many years two
 aspirants for the governorship of Ala
 bama will meet in joint debate today.
 pr. Russell M. Cunningham, lieutenant
 governor of Alabama, and Braxton Bragg
 Conner president of the railroad commis-
 sion, the only two candidates for gov
 ernor, will speak this morning at Il o'clock
 at Russellville, Franklin county, and to-
 night at o'clock at Sheffield, Colbert
 county.
 The last joint debate by two candidates
 for the higher offices was between Sen
 ator Morgan and ex-Governor Joseph F.
 Johnston for the United States senator
 ship in 1900.
 After the first two appointments the
 Joint discussions were discontinued as
 Senator Morgan had to return to Wash
 ington to resume his congressional
 duties.
 In 1896 joint debate had been almost
 arranged between Governor Joseph F. Johnston and Congressman Richard H.
 Clarke in the race for governor, but for some reason the discussion was called off.
 Last year MT. Conner and John V. Smith, candidates for railroad commissioner, agreed to met each other in joint debate
 but after three or four meetings the de- bates, by mutual consent, were called off.
 In the history of Alabama politics there
 have been very few joint debates between gubernatorial candidates and the move- ment commenced by Dr. Cunningham ana Mir Conner is being watched with keen interest.
 Conner Left Yesterday. Mir. Conner, accompanied by party or newsnaper men. left yesterday at noon for Decatur and will proceed from there to Russellville early this morning. Dr. Cunningham and several newspaper men Jeff last night at 9:30 o'clock for De- oatur. where he and his party will join
 MT Conner and make the trip together 'o
 Russellville.
 Roth of the candidates were In me .'fettle," and both appeared to be ex- ceedingly eager for the fray. MT. conner was complaining of a slight indispositioh physically, but otherwise wore his bland, assuring smile that has become famous since he entered the state political arena pr. Cunningham, who was accompanied to the union station by a number of his supporters. was all smiles. when askeo what he would spring on his opponent today he laughingly replied: T will spike | the guns"
 | So far the two candidates have shown remarkable friendliness for one another. | In the speeches they have made since | their announcements they have each gone l out of their way to compliment the other. | From all indications the campaign will be free from mud singing as the can- d,dates are personal friends and very in- | timate.
 It Is probable that arrangements will | be completed today for a joint debate in every county in the state between the candidates, as they both appear to be well | pleased with the proposition of meeting each other in joint debate. | As the Russellville meeting is MT. | Comer's appointment. he will in all prob ability make the opening and closing speech.
 | The subjects to be discussed by the candidates are unknown. They have prac- | tcally endorsed each others platform, | and there is very little difference between | the views of the two men. As MT. Conner | has raised the question of ,"environ- | ment" the debate will probably hinge on | this point
 No New Developments. | Very few new developments have been recorded in the political situation during the past week. No new entries have been made in the race for any of the state | offices.
 | The report comes from Mobile that Major Edward M. Robinson, who has been prominently mentioned as a candi-
 date for lieutenant governor. will not of | fer for that position, but will run against tCongressman George Washington Taylor | in the First district. In event Major Robinson enters the field for congression- al honors a royal fight is promis ed as Congressman Taylor has served in Con | gross for several years and stands very | close to his constituents. Several aspirants have entered the race | for the two positions of associate railroad | commissioners and warm contest will be waged for these places. l So far there has not been any scramble to announce for the state house jobs. For attorney general the probabilities are that there will be but two candidates in the race. Only two have announced for state treasurer and only two have an- nounced for commissioner of agriculture. So far no candidate has announced for sec- retary of state or for superintendent of education, although several have been mentioned for the last place. The fight for state auditor will in all probability be very warm as a number of candidates are "groomed for that race.'
 No Quorum Present. The executive committee of the Alabama division of Spanish-American war vet
 erans held meeting at the city hall yes-