Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1908-05-22
SCATH|NG CRITICISM
OF GOV. SMITH REGIME
COL ALBERT H. COX DELIVERS POWERFUL POLITICAL ADDRESS AT
OPERA HOUSE-RAPIER TiRtSTS STRIKE HOME WHILE CROWD
CHEERS HIS HITS-PRESENTS HON. JOSEPH NJ BROWN TO HIS
HEARERS IN TRUE LIGHT

In the presence of an audience
which filled the Opera House to over
flowing, Col. Albert H. Cox candidate
for Democratic delegate from the state
at-large, yesterday morning delivered
one of the most powerful political
speeches ever heard in Americus In
discussing state issues the speaker,
with whips which stung like scorpi-
On's tongues, dissected and held up
for condemnation the record of Gov
Smith. or in turn paid tributes to the
genius and ability of Hon. Joseph NJ
Brown.
The address was free from vituper-
alton or mud singing, and was given
the close attention of the audience,
among which were a number of ladies.
Gov. Smiths supporters were also
represented Besides those who crowd
ed the theatre, perhaps two hundred
were turned away from the door on
account of inability to secure a place
By his cool, dispassiOnate manner,
coupled with the fact that the chief
interest the speaker had in the out
come of the present race was in the
vindication of Democratic principles
and the saving of the state from the
disastrous politics which is charged to
Gov. Smith and his high-handed ad-
ministration of affairs, the speaker
made his words of greater weight than
a plea by one who had self-interest as
the handspring
Point after point Wis driven home
amid cheers of the audience, and when
Col. Cox had concluded he had APP
parently made good his statement that
Gov Smiths armor was of the tin
pail variety" and that it could not
withstand the attacks of a kitchen
case knife, much less the keen rapiel
of debate"
The entrance Of Col Cox on the
stage was the signal for heartyk APP
plause, as he appeared from the wing
in company with Solicitor General
Frank Hooper, Seated on the stage
were a score substantial farmers of
Sumter county, with business and pro-
fessional men
Hon. Frank Hooper Introduces.
The audience was asked to stand
while prayer was offered by Rev. R.
L. Bivins.
Col. Cox was introduced by Hon.
Frank Hooper, who referred to the
fact that the state was in the high
water mark of prosperity two years
ago. before the present incumbent of
the Governors chair fell athwart the
landscape Scarcely had Gov. Smith
been seated when the change came,
and for the past twelve months there
had been an open revolt against the
policies enunciated by Candidate, and
later Governor, Smith. The present
movement was a clamor for a Cover
nor who would build up and not tear
down. The Governors record as a
"fopper" was referred to, prohibition,
negro education, and free silver being
cited as examples. At the conclusion
of his very brief talk, Mr.. Hooper in
troduced Col Cox as zone of Georgia's
most gifted sons"
In beginning his speech Col Cox
declared that he was in the campaign
to eludicate the issues, and to use
reason in setting forth what he con-
ceived to be the things for the public
welfare. Wisdom, Justice and Mod
GRAFTON" were on the great seal of the
state. and for these he contended.
County Rights Snatched Away.
The first matter taken up was that
of county rights, which he charged
had been grossly trampled upon by
Gov. Smith for his own personal ben
eft The little committee" had en-
acted away the rights of the small
counties by a rule established in the
dark to the absolute disregard of the
smaller counties rights under an un-
broken term of years. He showed in
detail how Sumter had lost in power
as compared with the gain by Fulton.
Every states rights man ought toI
be a county rights man." declared the
speaker, "and every man in the South
to the manner born has ever been
a states rights man" The workings
of the new rule were explained in de-
tail An amusing picture was drawn
of the position in Which the delegates
from Georgia to the national conven-
ton would be placed when asked for
whom they stood.
"If the people of Georgia stand for
it, said Col Cox, "Rube Arnold may
not have been so far wrong, But l
do not believe they will"
Anent the prohibition question, the
speaker told how Joe Browns father
had been an anti-prohibitionist but
had not been able to control his SON
He told a touching little story of how
Gov Brown had agreed to furnish a
needed % votes for the election of his
old enemy, Ben Hill, to the Senate,
and how he had ignored their personal
differences. While he could control
the twenty-five North Georgia votes to
elect his ancient enemy, he could not
control his sons views on the prohi-
bitiOn question.
David and Goliath.
j. Brown was compared to the lit
tie David who went against Goliath,