The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-01-18
SMlTH-H0MEIE-DEBAlE
TWO Georgia auberaator,ai Candidates
Engage in Forensic Contest in Co
lurabus-oniy One Sensation.

lu.nbus-onIy One Sensation.
The first of the jc;at debates in the
Georgia subernatorial campaign was
pulled off in Columbus Wednesday be-
tween Candidates Hon. Hoxe Smith
and Gon. Clark Howell.
The speakers were greeted by an
audience of nearly 1000 people, and
both were given an ovation, and the
partisans of both sides are making
sweeping claims as to the result OF
the meeting. -
A sensational feature of the debate
was when MI Howell said that he
had been offered the support Sof Hon.
Tom Watson, and when some one in
the audience shouted fol. proof" Mr..
Howell produced and read two letters
which, in part, were as follows:
Atlanta, Ga, July IA, 1s05.-Hon.
Clark HowelEMy Dear Clark: have
just wound up an interesting trip OF
eight days touring through Tennes-
see and Virginia with my friend. Hon.
Tom Watson. We thoroughly discuss
ed the chances of Hon. Hoke Smith
and yourself. and came to the con-
clusion that all this corporation talk
is nothing but skirmish dght-thas
the allabsorbing contention will be
the Acknowledgement Of the. negro.
Mr.. Watson, you will remember. In his
Atlanta speech OF September, 1904.
pledged himself to disfranchisement.
You will recall that have for years
been your warm personal friend -
ever since we served together In the
house of representatives, Of wSich
you were speaker. / want you elect
ed governor, and l am particularly
anxious to have you secure Mr. Wat
sons support to that end.
If You had agreed to support the
disfranchisement amendment, feel
satisfied that Smith could not secure
Watson's support know that he dis
likes Hoke Smith, and | know the "
famous treatment OF Mr.. Watson by
Hoke Smith and the Atlanta Journal In
the past rankles IL his breast. espec-
tally the open charge Of corruption
made by Mr. Smith in Augusta.
it is true that both you and Smith
were bitterly opposed to the Hard.
wick disfrarchisemeDt bill at the
time it was defeated in the, general
assembly. And yet Hoke's deep anx.t
iety for political promotion Is such
that he will not hesitate to make a
dea! Dartering his conviction on this
subject.
You have the first opportunity to get
Watson's support II you want it.
Let me hear from you on the sub
ject. Address your reply to my old
home, Juniper, Talbot county, Georgia.
and it will be forwarded to me. Your
friend, JOHN A. SIBLEY. i
To this Mr.. Howell replied as fol-
lows:
Atlanta, Ga. July II, 1905.-Hon
John A. Sibley, Juniper, Talbot Coun-
ty, Georgia. Il My Dear John:
have you very kind letter written ar.
ter your trip through the mountains
with Hon. Tom Watson.
would like to see Mr.. Watson re-
turn to the democratic party and to
have his support as democrat.
Unfortunately he seems to have
drifted too far from his original moor.
irgs to affiliate With the party, and (
L can quite understand now how, as :
one who is bitterly antagoni7inzs DEM
ocratic success, he should be willing
to inject new issues into democratic
counsels with the view Of dividing the
white vote Of Georgia.
Personally, am very fond OF him
and much admire his brilliancy and
his literary attachments.
I am opposed to the, kind OF dis
franchisement as proposed by the
Hardwick bill, because believe that
instead Of really disfranchisirg the<
negro 1t will disfranchise thousands
Of them, and disfranchise tens OF
thousands Of white citizens.
My record In this matter is based
upon conscience and I must be con-
sistent.
Z would not have the governorship
if had to barter my convictions to &
get the Office.
With assurance Of personal esteem,
I am, with best wishes, sincerely
yours, CLARK HOWELL. 3s
VENEZUELAN CASE SERIOUS.