The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1908-10-16
SMITH AND ELYINS
Democratic and Republican Candl.
dates for Congress Meet in Joint
Debate at Potosi.
Special to the Pennington Tlmesl

~ l"t"Nl anu surrounding local
ties were entertained for two hours
Saturday by n discussion between
Hon. NJ. Il. Smith, Democratic can
didato for Congress, and Polite FL
wins, Republican candidate for Con-
grcss In this district. The Court
House was well filed with repre-
sentative men Of both political par
ties. The discussion was opened by
Mr.. Elvins. The agreement between
the candidates was that the political
issues were to he discussed, and it
might be said that Congressman
smith adhered strictly to the agree
ment and consumed the time al
lotted to him In an able and argu-
m"ntative discussion Of the political
issues as presented by the platforms
Of the parties represented by the
speakers; while on the other hand
Mr.. Elvns, after reading a letter
written by him to Mr.. Smith, in
which he asked questions as to how
he Smith stood on the tariff ON
lead and barytcs, huundercd about
like fish out Of water. He CON
tinucd to ask questions, but did not
advance single argument for the
position of his party on the tariff
question, and to the great surpris"
Of all who heard him, MIR. Elvin-
asserted that some OF the great lead
interests Of st. Francois county
were II trustizcd combine which
controlled five-siXths Of the lead
output Of the country. In this CON
ncction he mentioned the National
and Federal Lead companies. The
speaker said he was In favor Of pro
tecting this trust, and asked Mr.
Smith whore he stood in the prem
Uses.
In his argument Mr.. Smith an
swered the gentleman by stating
that he "stood squnrcly upon the
Democratic platform; but that the
Democratic position was not one OF
free trade; that the Democratic
platform does not declare for free
trade, nor does William j Bryan
advocate free trade: but that the
Democratic party, its platform and
its nominee for President will up
hold and protect all Legitimate in
dustries, here in this district as well
as elsewhere, yet at the same time
will, if placed in national power
cqualize the tariff Then he an
swercd his opponents question
about the "trustizcd combine" of
lead companies by asserting that he
was opposed to the fostering of
trusts of all kinds which had for
their purpose the controlling Of the
price of any given commodity The
outburst Of applause which greeted
the speaker at this statement clear
ly indicated that his position was in
accord with his hearers on the trust
question.
At no time did Mr.. Elvins show
himself equal to meet the argu-
ments OF Mr. Smith, but 1t was at
all times evident that Mr.. Elvins'
position in his effort to defend the
trusts was indefensible from any
standpoint of justice and right.
Is it not just u little strange to
hear the Republican candidate for
Congress in this district declare that
he stands for the protection Of one
of the greatest and most powerful
trusts in his district, and on the
other hand realize that the Rcpub-
lican candidate for Governor In this
State poses and proclaims aloud
that ne (Mr. Hadley) is the trust
buster" OF the State? Which Is the
true representative of the Repub-
lican party? Think of Hadley, the
sclf-stylcd cluster Of trusts" and
Mr.. Elvins, candidate for a seat
in the National Congress, asserting
that he Is friend Of the Lead Trust
and that it should he protected by
law and by men!
The time consumed by the speak
crs was two hours, divided equally.
Mr.. Elvins opened the debate, con
Stunning IL minutes, and Mr.. Smith
followed, taking up his entire time,
after which MIR. Elvins had the
closing for l5-minutes talk, all of
which was taken up in shameful
and disgraceful personal attack upon
his opponent, much to the disgust
of all fair-minded men who heard
the assault, and we think greatly to
the discredit Of Mr.. Elvins. On the
other hand Mr.. Smith confined his
remarks to political questions and
refrained from personalities, show
ing himself to be gentleman of
capability and worthy of the high
Office he holds.
That the conduct OF the two men
greatly strengthened Mr. Smith 1,