The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-07-23
DEFENDS
VOTE IN FRAMING
THE CONSTITUTION
impossible to Make the State
Christian By Writing the
Word Into Law
FAILS TO REPLY
TO SOME
Cumming Asks Explanation
of Position in Refusing Elec-
ton Of Certain Officials
By the People

LYNCHBURG. VA, July 22.-ThA
first thrills of the present State cans.
paign were reserved for fifteen hum
dred people of Lynchburg. who jour-
neyed to the City auditorium here to-
night to hear the widely advertised
joint debate between S. Gordon Cum
ming. Of Hampton. and John Gar
land Pollard, of Henrico and Rich
mond.
The debate was a red hot one with
just enough personalities injected to
stir up the row and enough dra-
matte incidents to cause the throats
of the audience to contract momentar-
lily. The crowd was a lively from
the start and toward the close of the
debate the enthusiasm became inten-
siied so that when Mr.. Pollard closed
the meeting the crowd was buzzinG
with small talk and enthusiastic COM
ments of approval for the favorite
candidates of each.
Crowd a Pollard One.
The crowd was distinctly a Pollard
one. On entrance the applause was
pe~rfunctory. but when Mr.. Cumming
arose to open the attack his adher-
ents let loose a yell of fair sized pro-
portions. However. the cheers that
greeted the Henrico candidate can be
described only tv the gtereotyped
phrase of deafening. George e.
Caskie. of the local bal. presided and
introduced the two speakers briefly.
The debate opened with a p~resenta-
ton of his platform by Mr.. Cumming.
who stated, however, tina such state
ment of views has nothing to do with
the qualifications OF the candidates for
the attorney generalship."
II state my view cheerfully in reply
to request ne said. but want it dis
tinctly understood that should the
legislature In it's wisdom see At to
enact into law the views OF my p
ponent, l. as attorney general. should
I be elected. will enforce these laws
to the best of my ability"
Mr.. Pollard devoted his ten min
ute opening speech to a discussion OF
his opponents views. a presentation
Of his and to taking emphatic issue
| with the statement that the candi-
dates views have nothing to do with
his qualifications for the Office sought
by both.
Discuss Christianity.
The two greatest thrills were
furnished by Mr.. Pollard, when the
candidates were drawn into a discus
| sion of the presence of the word
Christianity In the constitution.
MIR. Cumming had criticized his op-
ponent for voting while a member OF
the constitution to strike out of the
bill of rights the adjective Christian
bity'' in the phrase Christian forbear-
ances.' and again for later withdraw
ing his motion in the face of cppc-
sition.
"why not Christian forbearance?"
he asked his opponent. do you know
OF a more noble ~forbearance than that
, of Christ? If you were wrong u
making that motion. why did you
make it? II you were right, why
did you withdraw it?"
Mr.. Pollard Is Dramatic. q
When his turn came to answer. Mr..
Pollard turned dramatically towards
Nr. Cumming and. pointing his finger
at him. shouted: Gordon Cumming.
when did you become a champion Of
Christianity?
After waiting for the shouts Of his
friends to subside, Mr.. Pollard CON
tinued: II voted to strike the word
Christianity out of the constitution
because 1 believed that II is as im-
possible to make a State Christian by
writing the word into its constitution
as it is TO make you, Gordon Cum
ming. a Christian by branding the
name of Christ on your forehead"
Mr.. Cumming scores.
On the other hand. the friends Of
Mr.. Cumming were given a chance to
| applaud when the Tidewater candi-
date. in discussing his opponents rel.
erences to the sovereignty of the peos
5yrIe, asked him why. IL he believed In
the direct rule of the people. he mad
voted In the constitutional convention
! against the election of school super
intendents, school trustees, commits
| sioners of revenue by the people, and
against the reelection OF ~treasurer1
for a second term and against the SUBJ
mission of the constitution to the pe0-
pie.
MI. Pollard answered all Of these
questions. to the satisfaction Of his
friends, except those relating to pop
ular elections of school trustees and
the superintendent of public institu-
items. To this criticism he did not
attempt to make reply. OF the proc-
lamation of the constitution he de.
clared that 1t would a. been an abb
surdity to submit 1t to the very cleo
torate which was purged by 1t to leave
to the decision of a hundred thousand
ignorant negroes h question - to
ghether they were qualified 10 vote.
Agree on Ono Point.
The election laws, the school gyns
tenn, the presidential preferences pFi-
mary and the fee system were thos
points at issue between the dehatoHG
both agreeing that Attorney 0on1<u&
| williams should not be re-eleceo4
w agree on that point,A ont0 -
. Cumming. my friend can oo& ~ -
argument on that with M" Mt1