The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1910-09-09


protested at Bbo's home bank, where he had neth-
er deposit credit thus costing the farmer pro-
test Zee OF S2.5o thereabout and that Bibo had
not corrected these things at the time OF his lndct
ment in the senate. Cunningham also charged that
Blbo had endeavored to get bill introduced to
prevent tfe sale of snuff in Mississippi with view
of killing the bill and getting rake-of, as he con-
fessed to the party whom he had asked to introduce
lit. Cunningham gave the name Of the senator
! whom Bilbo had approached with this scheme, who
Was Rlbos roommate at the time.
! Scathing Charges.
! These and many other scathing charges were
brought against Bbo, and in each of them Gun
ming ham proposed that in the event Bilbo pretend
sd to deny them he would meet him here on the
sanae platform at future date, to be selected
by Blbo, and would produce the proof in black and
white and make Bilbo out a liar. To each charge
Bilbo responded at first that the challenge was &C
lceptcd, and in each Cunningham confirmed the
acceptance. Cunningham then went further, and
proposed that they select any unbiased man IN the
audience and let him investigate these charges,
which If found untrue, and if Bbo was found to be
amy sort ct a gentleman, then he Cunningham
would apologize and leave the State; but it the
charges tound to be true and if Bilbo was was
found to be characterless man, reputed brlbe-
taker frequeuter Of dives ETC.. then Bilbo should
refrain from imposing himself upon decent people.
Cunning han also proposed that they appoint an old
Confederate soldier in the audience Bilbo agreeing
to hdm, and pay him FIVE dollars day and expenses
to- go and Investigate these charges upon the con-
dition that If they found incorrect, Cunning
ham should bear the expense; but IT found true as
charged, then Bilbo should bear the expense;
whereupon Bbo replied that he did not have the
an oney. and SO the proposition went by.
Cunningham said that about 90 per cent OF
Bilbos speech pertained to things concerning which
tfeM was no difference OF OPINION and on when
they both agreed. and illustrated this by showing
that Rlbo had discussed the rotten politics of Ten
nessee, the cause of the killing of Edward w. Car
mack had delivered eulogies on the farming class
es and the red-necks, and had arraigned the corpo-
rators s. the trusts Ind combines, etc. Cunningham
said tn e OF COURSE they agreed all such things.
and then devoted few minutes to discussion OF
the present antitrust law Mississippi, which Bill
5o &@ said. is using for campaign thunder among
the masses with out mentioning the fact that he
OF that law.
Explained the Charges.
Senator Cunningham explained the CAUCUS and
gave what he thought to be the true version OF the
bribery charges; he also showed what the legisla-
ture including Vardaman's friends, thought of the
cks ksrges that are now brought by Bilbo in the inter-
est of Vardaman and here took occasion to say
that much drinking was done in and about the cap
o and hotels, but that the same is equally charge
able to 5as. K. Vardaman as to other candidates in
he race for United States senator.
SeRator Bilbos rejoinder was brief. He stated
tbxt he did not have time TO answer aifef the
Cd arges brought against him, but would answer anyi
of them his audience might wish to hear about. an1
response
ience Bilbo made practically the same reply that
Cunningham had gotten these reports from his
(f8ilbo'sD enemies. He made no public resentment
of the disreputable things Cunningham had accused
him Of but created quite a burst of laughter when
he said he supposed we all had sinned and come
short of the glory of God except Jim Cunningham
He stated that he desired to discuss issues and
not personalities and that for this reason there was
no need for him to accept any of Cunningham's var
ous propositions to investigate his character.
As speaker Bilbo showed himself quite an ar !.
list. He knows how to catch the crowd, how to
tell story WE'LL and just what points to play on with
best effect.
So much has been said of late regarding the af-
:air, and so many rumors have gone abroad as to
VII at was said and what not. that the committee
1eems it proper to make this statement and give to
he public correct account of just what did hap
oen and what was said by both speakers. The
friends of both factions may draw their own conclu-
ons as to what will be the results OF the debate up
pa the voters of this vounty, after due consideration
IF all things said Very respectfully, lc
A. B. PATTERSON, Mayor of
uka and chairman of committee. II
-*.-... w. 7. BENNETT.
1.sv GRANVILLE DUDLEY.
II. w. CARTER. |;
J.. c. JoURDoN.
w. L. ELLIDGE, l.
Secretary.