Fitzgerald enterprise. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1895-1912, 1906-06-12
AN IMPARTIAL VIEW
OF THE JOINT DEBATE
Editor John Temple Graves, of the
''Atlanta Georgian" as Umpire.
An Absolutely just and
Impartial Report.

The people of Georgia expect from The
Georgian nothing less nor more than the truth
about the Howe1l-Smith debate.
And this the people shall have in unvarnsh-
ed and unduted form both in the local columns
and upon the editorial page.
EXPRESSED IN A SENTENCE, THE
DEBATE ENDED IN A DEFINITE AN D DE.
CISIvE TRIUMPH FOR HOKE SMITH.
AFTER THE FIRST HOUR THE LAUR-
ELS OF THE EVENING WERE ALL AT
HIS FEET. LET US NOTE THE CONDI-
TONS;
The audience was in all proba bility the lar
gest and most representative ever addressed
under shelter by political speakers in Georgia.
It was an audience gathered upon equal terms.
The occasion was heralded widely as joint dis
cussion between the two prominet candidates
for governor. Both sides had equal opportuni-
ty for filing the hall. So far as all reports have
gone there was no effort on either side to pack
the auditorium in the interest of either candl-
date. The personnel of the assembly was ex-
ceptionally fine aud in view of the crowding
numbers, the order and decorum was far above
the average of political assem- blies.
Before this most magnificent and represen-
tative audience of their home people these two
political antagonists appeared to fight out their
differences and measure their merits in the are
ma of debate.
In the first five minutes after the entrance of
the candidates the volume of applause seemed
to be in favor of Clark Howell Wehther the
voices of his clansmen were heavier, or whether
they found their threats sooner, or whether the
followers of Hoke Smith wei slower in timber
ing up their enthusiasm, the impression was dis
tnctly left upoa the mind of tue writer that the
primary balance of sound was on Howells side.
The basis of applause on both sides was in
the serried ranks of followers who were
ranged behind each candidate the stage and
in the nearby adjoining galleries. In front sat
the vast body of the audience, the quiet thought
full people, seemingly neutral, impassve and
watching developme nts-apparently the balance
of power in the debate and in the election. Up
to the close of Hoke Smiths first speech they
made little demonstration and gave no tangible
sign of their preference and sympathy.
Hoke:Smth's opening speech was strong,
clear. bold argument upon the issu, of the
campaign. It was in no sense remarkable
speech Neither in eloquence nor in logic was
power was in it's drectness, it defnteness, and
its unmistakable commitment to positive re-
forms. Mr. Smith spoke forty-fve of his sixty
minutes ably and exclusively upon the issues.
He devoted, by the watch only fifteen minutes
to discussion of Mr.. Howell and his record.
The impression made by his speech was that
great political campaign was pending in Georgia,
that issues vital to the people we're at stake, and
that he had fixed and clear cut views upon these
issues and powerful reasons for the faith that
was in him. 1t was meat for voters to feed up
on. 1t suggested craftsmanship. 1t implied
grasp of affairs 1t promised reformer in the
Georgia capital, capable to conceive and power
full to execute the people, will He not only as
serted principles and proclaimed attitudes, but
he argued, reasoned and plead in effective adj
vocacy for his convictions. If not great speech
it was strong speech, a vote-whinning speech.
1t was received with strong approval and ap-
plauded wildly by his cohorts in the rear and on
the sides. and moderately by the audience in
front.
But the mighty waiting mass in the center