The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-24
Cunningham and Contf 50 After Each Other With Hammer
 and Tongs
IMMENSE CROWD LISTENS
 ID SENSATIONAL DEBATE
After Their Vigorous Personal Attacks the Two Candidates Shake Hands and Hold an Informal Re-
 cepton at Court HS use.
BY c. M. STANLEY.

BY c. M. STANLEY.
 opeliSa, April 2s.-(specal9-The great gubernatorial war between B. B. Conner and Dr. R. M Cunningham developed into what might be termed. figuratively speaking. a hand-to-hand conflict here today when the two candidates met on the same platform.
 Neither man spared his opponent and the weapons used were not rapiers and poniards but were bludgeons and clubs. Neither one asked nor gave quarter. It was one of the most sensational and pie turesque debates ever heard in this city "a city whose very atmosphere is full of politics and in which some of the hot test political fights in the long history of Alabama have had their inception.
 Old politicians says that the Hobson- Bankhead debates were tame affairs when compared to that of today in which the candidates handled each other without gloves and said things which they would never dream of saying outside the realm of political controversy.
 It is useless to attempt to say which had the best of 1t. The great hall in the Lee county court house which will easily seat a thousand people, was packed with men and the applause and Interruptions were so continuous that each of the candidates could easily persuade himself that the ovations were for him.
 The debate was under the auspices of the Cunningham committee and as Mr. Conner had asked for a division of the time it was agreed that Dr Cunningham should speak for an hour and fifteen min utes, MT Conner should then speak for an hour and thirty-ive minutes and Dr. Cunningham should have twepty minutes to close.
 Vigorous Slashing.
 Things did not really warm up until Mir Conner had taken the floor. He began the hair-pulling in his usual vigorous and forcefu1 style and the audience began to take notice. He said things that cut but Dr. Cunningham improved his last twenty minutes to say some things that cut just as deep. When MT. Conner walk ed up to pr. Cunningham and shook his finger in his face and exclaimed in one of his climaxes:
 Railroad rates-you don't know any thing about them and you know it." the audience began to sit up and take notice sure enough.
 "Child labor?' he continued You know less about child labor than you do about railroad rates"
 Cunningham began and concluded his opening speech in very dignihed fashion. He was introduced by Chairman T. D. Sanford. son of former Governor Sam ford, who is his manager for Lee county He began by calling attention to his campaign document which he said set forth his position on the issues before the state. and he said he would submit to the voters the question as to who had been the more explicit in his beliefs and policies.
 No Cause for Croaking.
 Never has there been a time in the history of this state when there is less cause for croaking than in this good year 1906' Cunningham said. "One of the chief problems to come before the next legislature is that of bringing im- migrants and these immigrants must be such as can build homes and affiliate with our people. We want such men as will make for the ultimate elimination of the negro as a factor in the labor problem in the state.
 Regarding education want to say that the farmer is not a. common laborer but that his children must be educated and to this end I favor the application of the entire revenue from the sale of ferti- lizer tags to the school fund"
 Regarding child labor he said that the growing child should be protected and there should be laws for his protection and that these laws should be enforced. He said the present county convict sys- tenn was disgrace and maintained that these convicts should be put under state supervision The speaker was loudly ap- plauded when in referring to the pension ing of old soldiers he exclaimed: No old soldier in Alabama shall die in the poor house nor suffer in poverty if 1t is in my power to prevent it."
 Railroad Rates.
 Railroad rates. bow to Mir. Conner" Cunningham continued. and a ripple spread over the audience. 'I want to say that I favor an appropria ton which will enable the state railroad commission to summon before 1t expert witnesses on this subject; an appropriation whhl will enable 1t to secure expert counsel. and I would have this counsel act as an dsslstdhl oi ehF attolfeS seHeidi. MI. Conner addressing his opponent squarely) do you favor making the present Alabama rates the maximum rates?"
 Mir Conner, rising. yes
 "Well do not" said Cunningham. evil dently pleased. 'I favor making the Georgia rates the maximum. Now I think my record on this rate matter is all right. I am willing to admit that my vote in the legislature in favor of rate regllla- tiop was not because of my environments as a shipper. l admit that I did not so
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