The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-16
Deyotes Time to Answering
Underwood and Trying to
Prove He Is ReactiOnary
DEFIES LEADER TO
PROVE HIS CHARGES
Continues Assertions That Underwood
Is Liquor Man and That Someone
Is Telling Him How to Con-
duct His Campaign
BY c. A. vERBECI<


Gadsden, January 17.-tspecial.)- )-Capt.
f. P. Hobson celebrated amendment
day of the w. C. T. U. in Gadsden by
addressing the largest crowd which ever
assembled in the Etowah county court
house, the scene of many political bat
tie. Every available foot of floor space
was occupied, and there was an overflow
crowd which clamored for an address from
Elr. Hobson, but in vain.
Mr. Hobson was on the defensive the
81 eat part of the time. Much time he took
to prove his claims that Mr.. Underwood is
a reactionary. Many words he devoted to
his own record. And, 20 the crowd which
heard, the words carried conviction, If
enthusiastic applause Is criterion. Mr..
Eobson, time and again, expressed per-
scnal friendship for mis- opponent. He
was bitter in his attack upon Mr.. Under
woods friends. At one point he ex-
claimed
L don't believe it's the real Under
wood He's a good mal. He's a good
friend. His family and my family are
friends. l can only believe that Under
wood was driven to inject this the race
question: into the campaign by his su-
perior in this campaign"
Mr.. Hobson repeated his challenge to
NJ Underwood to meet him on the stump,
and to confront him with proof that he
had made msstatements. Failing in this.
he demanded that Mr.. Underwood with
draw from the race.
Col. W. r. Dortch, chairman of the
ErnxEob Iohcnp ,pfro5ncad ATr Iph-
son by stating that if Mr.. Hobson be
elected senator, no greater honor will be
conferred on him than Mr.. Hobson will
confer on his state"
Wants to Debate
THE occasion which calls me here to-
day." said Mr.. Hobson, arises from the
failure of my honorable opponent to meet
me in joint debate. My first words after
found he was entered in this race were
to ask Mr.. Underwood TO meet me before
tksrpe ople of Alabama 50 that they might
draw their own conclusions.
when Mr. Underwood caem to Alabama
the last time he made GONE very serious
charges against me, saying that 1 had
wllfully and knowingly mlsrepresentec
linn Gentlemen, my training has been
such to look upon Il man who would
do such a thing as unfit for the company
OF gentlemen. At Annapolis lie means
dismissal in the United States navy,
courtmartial Such a charge gives me
tie right, recognized by ALL to demand
that my opponent confront me with the
proof OF such statements.
Telling of his effort to secure a debate
With Mr.. Underwood. he said that Mr..
Underwood refused TO return to Birming-
Eafa last Saturday, but started for WASH
il gton from south Alabama one day
earlier than he had planned. Il new re-
peat it-I demand that Mr.. Underwood
meet me face to face pr else retire from
this race.
Here [ will quote from the record of
Mr. Underwoods last speech in Gads-
den. He said: Now, tru1h is the cardinal
principle of every mans life. If he can
prove that ] lied, I'll retire instantly l
dare his manager in this county to make
the same offer. Is his manager here2'
There were many interruptions at this
point and to one of these, Hobson's s
sally. what was that funereal note from
the grave while ago. Drought forth
loud laughter and applause.
Direct Election of President
Il hold in my hand a bill which [ have
been advocating, regarding direct cleo
tion of President and vice president, and
which Mr. Underwood said would wioe
out the provision in the United States
constitution that a state shall establish
the qualifications of its electorate Sec
tion one of this bill provides that the
PRESIDENT and vice president shall be
elected by the several states, and the
qualifications in each state shall be the
same as the qualifications for electorate
in the most numerous body of the leg
sature. ! put the provision in, gentle
men. | didn't wipe 1t out 1t belongs
to that category given by Mr.. Underwood
regarding man who makes a misstate-
ment knowingly-category No. 3, l be-
lleve it is.
THE Sipsey dam bill is the type of
bill under which all individuals all over
the United States are given rights to