The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1912-04-12
HILBURN-CLARK
DEBATE FAILS.
Candidates Fail to Agree Over
Division of Time.

A magnificent audience, probably the
largest ever assembled in Putnam coun-
ty for political meeting, gathered at
the Orpheum Tuesday night for the pur-
pose of hearing joint debate between
Frank Clark and Sam J. Hilburn, candi-
dates for congress from the Second dis
trict. The audience was disappointed;
mo debate took place.
DIR. Z. w. Warren, Palatka's newly
elected mayor, presided, and the exer-
ciSes OF the evening were opened by the
introduction of w. M. Toomer, candi-
date for congressman at large. Mr.
Toomer was followed by Charles Z.
Jones, who spoke in behalf of Claude
L'Engle, also candidate for congress
man at large, and Mr.. Jones was fol
lowed by Braxton Beacham, candidate
officer then intraduced MIR. Clark, but
MIR. Clark did not come forward. After
satisfying himself that Mr.. Clark was
not on the stage, DR.. Warren enquired
if Mr. Clark was in the audience. There
was still no response TO the call for Mr..
Clark. DR.. Warren then introduced
Mr. Hilburn as the next speaker on the
program. Mr.. Hilburn stated that Mr..
Clark had been on the stage at the open
ing of the evenings speaking; that at
Green Cove Springs Monday evening an
agreement had been reached between
them which was TO apply specifically at
the Green Cove Springs, Palatka and
Crescent City meetings. II had been
agreed, Mr.. Hilburn said, that they
were 10 have an hour each at that meet
ing and subsequent meetings. that they
were TO alternate as 10 the opening and
closing addresses. He, Mr.. Hilburn,
was TO speak first at Green Cove Springs,
Mr.. Clark was to speak first at PaIatka
and Mr.. Hilburn was 10 speak first at
Crescent City, and that this program
was 10 be followed out throughout the
campaign.
In accordance with this agreement,
Mr.. Hilburn said that he had spoken
first at Green Cove Springs and Mr..
Clark had followed him. When Mr..
Clark came upon the platform Tuesday
evening Mr.. Hilburn greeted him and
followed as to the terms of
the debate, Mr.. Clark insisting upon the
closing address. Mr.. Hilburn reminded
Mr.. Clark of sthe Green Cove Springs
agreement Mr.. Clark denied that there
had been any such agreement. Mr..
Hilburn returned 10 his seat on the plat
form and subsequently Mr.. Clark retired
from the stage.
Mr.. Hilburn concluded his statement
by saying that he was willing to yield TO
Mr.. Clark'S demands, and would make
the opening argument if Mr. Clark'S
friends would go and find him and
bring him back; if Mr.. Clark did not in
tend to speak, Mr.. Hilburn said that he
didn't think il would be courteous for
him to speak, and would not do so.
]. w. Sears was then introduced and
spoke in behalf of the candidacy of
John w. Watson for governor AT the
conclusion of Mr. Sears address, Mr..
Clark not having reappeared, DR.. War
rem adjourned the meeting.
1t transpired that Mr.. Clark had re-
turned TO his hotel and had addressed
10 the chairman of the
meeting stating his side of the controv-
erSy, which was to the effect that there
lad been no such agreement as Mr..
-lilburn claimed, and that courtesy re-
lured that he, Clark be given the
,loSing speech. AT the conclusion of
he meeting Mr.. Hilburn made a state
nent for publication setting forth sub
tanually the matter as ne QI0 IN MS
tatement 10 the audience.
A joint discussion between the two
andidateS having been advertised for
crescent City the next day, Wednesday,
he two appeared there. Mr.. Clark
pened in an address of an hour and
orty-five minutes, and Mr. Hilburn was
orced for want of time to close in a
cry short address.
Mr.. Clark returned to Palatka upon
he completion of his Crescent City
peech, and held meeting of his own
{ the Qrpheum Wednesday evening, at
yhich Dr. A. M. Steen presided. He
poke 10 large audience, and took up
time in explaining his side
t the joint discussion controversy.
Ie scored Mr.. Hilburn throughout his
Deech Among other things he said
lat the account of the Palatka affair of
>ueSday evening had been written by
Hugh Reese, who is assisting Mr..
Lilburn in his campaign. Mr.. Reese
enieS Mr. Clark's statement, and says
is merely in keeping with other mis-
atementS and misrepresentation that
Ir. Clark is in the habit of making.
he article in question was written by
!. A. Potts, the regular correspondent
the Jacksonville Metropolis, at this
lace.