The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-29
Wallace Requests Former
Governor for Joint Dis
cussion of Issues
HUNDREDS LISTEN TO
CANDIDATES SPEAK
Wallace Advocates New Constitutional
Convention to Formulate New
Laws-Comer Opens Speech
With Attack on Railroads
ny L. S. BETTY

Union Springs, July Especial Fac
ing between 500 and 1000 of the leading
citizens of Bullock county, John II. Wall
courthouse here today publicly flung a
challenge at the feet of former Governor
B. B. Conner. an opponent in the race
for gubernatorial honors, for joint
discussion of the leading issues of the
campaign.
The incident was of more stirring in
terest than any that has occurred in
political campaign in this county for
many years and the crowded courthouse
leaned forward in hushed silence to hear
the former governors reply.
Conner Declines Challenge
Mr.. Conner declined the challenge. He
Informed Mr. Wallace that he was not
there to participate in any joint discus
sion, that Mr.. Wallace was privileged to
say what he wished and that he Ccomer)
would exercise like prerogatiye.
Mr. Wallace's speech was characterized
by severe arraignment of Mr.. Conner.
who sat within a few feet of where he
was standing He addressed many of his
. remarks at the former governor, openly
and publicly criticized him for many of
his allaged utterances and charged him
with having no other issue than his
venomous hatred for the corporate in
terests.
The former governors speech was char
acterized by a bitter attack upon the
Louisville and Nashville Railroad COM
pany. criticism of the present adminlstra-
tion, censure of Charles Henderson and
an invective TRADE against certain news
papers of the state In some respects
his speech today was more bitter than
his address at Gaines Chapel. near At
tala, last Thursday.
He charged corruption to the railroads
which he declared had selected Charles
Henderson as their candidate for gos-
ernor. charged Governor oNeal with
fear in declining to call the Legislature
together. asserted that corporate interests
controlled the last campaign for gov
ernor and inveigned against these inter-
ests with venom and extreme bitterness
A dozen times or more during the
course of his remarks Mr.. Conner turned
TO The Age-Herald representative, who
was sitting in front of him, and demanded
that he be quoted correctly, frequently
repeating his remarks for the benefit of
the press.
Both Mr.. Conner and Mr. Wallace came
over on the morning train from Mont
gomery and the two proceeded at once
to the courthouse, where the speaking
began at TO O'Clock.
r rSt xar af
the day and was introduced by State
Senator r. Sidney Frazier of Union
Springs. Nearly the first remark of Mr.
Wallace when he arose to address his
audience was directed at Mr. Conner,
whom he had previously challenged to
meet him in joint debate
''Mr. Conner, are you here to participate
with me In the joint discussion of the
issues of this campaign" he asked the
former governor.
Immediately hushed silence fell upon
the crowded courthouse. Mr. Conner arose
from his seat and addressed Mr.. Wal
lace.
Il am not here for the purpose of de-
batting with you on any question: he said
Nor with any other candidate"
Then since you will not do so" replied
Mr.. Wallace, 'and will have an oppor-
tunity to reply to me when [ have fin
irhed my speech I shall be forced to
retire as soon as I have concluded my
address,"
Wallace Advocates Local Taxation
Mr.. Wallace then Immediately plunged
into a discussion of the issues OF the
campaign. declaring that he advocated a
new constitutional convention for the
purpose of providing local taxation for
the support of public schools, new laws
for the maintenance and nagement of
the state convicts and recommended a
system of rural credits retrenchment in
the state government and larger appro-
priations to the old soldiers. His remarks
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