The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-24
DEBATE 0F RIVALS SP|C|EST FEATURE
 OF THE CAMP PAIGN Many Turned Away Who Wanted to Hear Bow
 man and BeddOw
SIGNS OF DISORDER
 NEAR DEBATES CLOSE
Overflow Meeting at Orpheum Also Filled the House and Prom1- nent Local Optionists
 We're Heard

Col. Peyton C. Bowman secured the nonular decision from his law partner q p. Beddow, last night in the debate at the Jefferson theatre on the ques- tion of the hour
 Never in the political history Of the state has such an audience assembled as gathered last night at the Jefferson theatre to hear the joint debate be- tween Colonel Bowman, advocating the onan saloon, and MT. Beddow, who argued for prohibition and the dispen- sary
 The theatre was packed from the rear seats in the gallery to the front row of the orchestra. Every box was crowded, every fire escape packed, every entrance filled. in fact, every inch or available space was taken up by an eager crowd of men.
 There was not a woman in the house. There was nothing but sea of eoatless men. Long before the time for the sneaking arrived the theatre was hacked. As the hour approached for the speaking the crowd grew impatient and stamped anu cIdpPtu.
 Men came from all over the state to . hear the debate between Colonel Bow man and Mir Beddow. Many were dis appointed and were refused seats. The overflow from the meeting went to the Orpheum theatre where rousing meet ing was held.
 The temper of the crowd at first was unouestionably good. Toward the end of the meeting. when the speakers be- gan to get warm, the feeling changed and for a few minutes disorder was feared.
 The speak CTS were frequently in- terrupted either by cheers from their friends or the jeering yells of the op- ponents MT Beddow grew very spicy toward the end of his second speech and termed those who interrupted him "cowardly CUTS" MT. Bowman suffered less from this than did MT. Beddow.
 State Senator Robert A. Moultrop of Barbour county presided over the meet ing and announced the terms of the de- bate and made few words of explana- ton of the situation.
 MT Beddow first appeared on the Utage and was greeted by hearty cheers from his adherents. The cheering lasted for three minutes As the plaudits died flown MT. Bowman entered.
 Crowd Goes Wild
 The crowd went wild, Storm after storm of cheers arose and men grew frantfe in voicing their favor for the adybcate of open. well regulated sa- looms MT. Bowman took his ovation quietly. smiled calmly. bowed slowly and took his seat.
 Senator Moultrop then introduced MT Beddow, who made the opening speech speaking for one hour.
 Mir. Beddow made the usual argu- nents against the Smith bill that have been worn threadbare in the late cam paign. He spoke feelingly of the iniqu- ties of the Smith bill and the 30-room hotel law. He talked of the excise com mission in sighting terms and decried the fact that they were absoluts
 After speaking for few moments MT. Beddow removed his coat and MT Bowman followed suit. Their action was greeted by laughter and cheers from the audience.
 \ MT. Beddow interspersed his speech With many anecdotes at the expense of 1lr Beddow, which drew laughs from the audience. MT. Bowman was not backward in employing laughter and yidicule as a weapon with which to overwhelm his oponent
 MT. Beddow devoted the first ten minutes of his speech to his partner MT. Bowman. Before opening his speech he extended his hand to MT Bowman, who grasped it and shook heartily. MT. Beddow then presented the following arguments:
 Excise Graft Fund
 He stated that he wanted to discus! 0he Smith bill dispassionately and calmly and then let the people decide He stated that the Saloon Opposition league, when the bill first came off tn, press, discussed the measure and form ulated criticisms of the bills. Thes were placed in the hands of the .loca option committee with a challenge t, meet in joint debate He stated tha their challenge was declined.
 Mir. Beddow appeared chiefly alarme, ever the fact that there was no appea from the decisions of the excise com mission. That their office was not cleo tive and never would be. He asked tn people If they would permit such thing.
 He stated that the excise commission -