The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-06-15
CUNNINGHAM AND COMER HAy|i |LT
 ss Ep,I,y Man. s;yxI' 5yx Claim |. VicfOT Selma
BIG CROWD HEARS DEBATE
The Audience Broke Up In Confusion During Corners Rejoinder, Which
 Causes Profound Regret to
 Arrangements Committee.
BY R. E. L. NEIL.


 Selma, June 14-(SpeciaD The long, talked-of and eagerly expected joint de- bate between Dr. R. M. Cunningham and B. B. Conner, candidates for governor of Alabama, came off tonight before some thousand democrats of Dallas county and the black belt generally. That it was Cunningham victory the warmest adher- ents of MT Conner will not deny MT. Conner received liberal applause, but the waves of enthusiasm arose for Dr. Cum ningham, and he was not slow to profit by the fact.
 The curtain was rung up at S:20, and William J. Rountree, chairman of the once advanced to the footlights, and in a few words, welcomed the two distin- guished candidate and the large list of visitors to Selma. The audience greeted MT. Conner, the first candidate to be pres ented with prolonged applause.
 Conner Is First Speaker.
 He told of his service as a boy in the Confederate Army, and praised the valor and far-famed hospitality of the black belt He claimed a kinship with Dallas through his son-in-law. J. Craig Smith, and his grandson, J. Craig Smith, Jr. He declared in favor of local option on the liquor question: for more pensions for the old soldiers, and soon jumped into the ground where he was evidently home. His line of argument was practically the same as heretofore published with few local allusions thrown in.
 'The worst piece of railroad track in Alabama" said MT. Conner, ''and l speak from recent experience, Is between Selma and Mobile. If there could be worse, 1t is between Selma and Akron, and If there could still be a worse track, 1t Is the road that runs by Demopolis and Ye'ik." He stated the law creating the railroad com mission was invalid, because of improper engrossment, and that the railroad com mission today held It's authority from the old advisory law. which was not worth the paper 1t was written on.
 The first real enthusiasm of the meeting occurred about this time, when some strong-lunged member of the audience yelled out "Hurrah for Cunningham" when for five minutes great applause swept over the house. Mir. Conner re- ceived great applause as he catechized pr. Cunningham on why he did not raise his voice agains the railroad two years ago.
 Mir. Conner declared i've want the Texas law and argued the reasons, pointing out the threats of the railroads and the bold reply of the Texans when they said to the railroads "Get out for we Texans ex- pect to rule our state as long as we live' He declared that the railroad commission bill passed at the last session of the legis- lature is invalid. His statement was not half understood by his large audience. He presented an opinion from W. L. Mar tin of Montgomery declaring that the bill was invalid and offering the opinion to the press. He scored Frank P. Glass of the Montgomery Advertiser and referred to the Palmer and Buckner episode amid laughter.
 In the last five minutes of his first speech MT. Conner appealed for the cleo tion of a candidate for governor and a legislature that will give the relief need ed He declared 1t was not a Conner or Cunningham issue, but one of the eternal liberties of the people.
 Cunningham Warmly Greeted.
 At the conclusion MT. Conner received much applause. but upon the presentation of Dr. Cunningham It was easily seen that the latter had the preponderance of supporters in the audience. Dr. Cunning ham stated at the outset that to any criticism of his career or his record made by his opponent the most cordial wei come accorded him was sufficient. He took up his poltial record and called at tention to It. He declared for local op- ton and said he was true believer in the sanctity of the Sabbath. He declared for better education. His reference to child labor was loudly applauded.
 Dr. Cunningham took up the multitud- jnous duties of the office of governor and related his record while dscharging the office during Governor Jelks' absence. He drew the contrast between himself and MT. Conner and explained the provisions of the railroad commission law. He de- clared that Mir Conner wanted some time ago the Georgia rates; he now wanted the present railroad made rates of Alabama as the maximum while he Dr. Cunning ham wanted the Georgia rates. Dr. Cum ningham said that he was no railroad candidate and no shippers candidate. He declared that the effort to line him up with the corporate interests of the state was unjust for it was untrue. MT. Conner says" declared Dr. Cunningham. that I know nothing of the child labor ques- ton. I know nothing of their earning capacity. I can learn that from MT. Conner"
 Conner Makes ReJolnder.
 Tn his rejoinder Mir. Conner said he com menced life a farmer and he thought he knew what the farmer needed; that he was a manufacturer and knew what the manufacturer needed; that 1t was true that he was an owner of cotton mill; that he went around when they wanted to build a cotton mill and asked Dr. Cum ningham to subscribe and he refused, rot because he was opposed to child la- hor. but because he was afraid he would lose his money.
 Tn the last few minutes of Mir. Conner 8 retoinder much confusion prevailed. and pr. Cunningham stepped to the footlights and tried to quell the disturbance. but found it impossible, and the audience dispersed in great confusion. refusing to listen further. Those in charge of the meeting regretted the failure of the audi ence to give MT. Conner quiet attention towards the last of his speech.
 Crowd Pours Into City.
 The day was one not soon to be for gotten. The night trains, the early morn- ing trains. the monday trains brought