Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-03-14

DEBATE DRAWS
GREAT 1HR0NG
Supporters Of Brough in
Overwhelming Majority
in Audience.
| POLICE INTERFERE
TO AVOID TROUBLE
Hodges SO Frequently interrupted,
Despite Appeal Of His Opponent, He
Remained on Platform ~ Hours.
A BrOugh Demonstration.

Little Rock, March 14.-The Joint
debate between Earle w. Hodges and
DR.. c. H. Brough tonight, at the City
auditorium, was attended by crowd
of more than 1000 people, that filed
the building to overlooking.
There were hundreds from outside
the city Eastern Arkansas being rep
resented by large delegations for
both candidates.
DR.. Brough opened in an address Of
one hour, in which he reviewed his
platform, and discussed at length the
policies and official record Of his OPP
ponent. His speech on state issues
followed lines similar to those pur-
sued in his speeches all over the
state, and in keeping with his printed
addresses.
He devoted much attention to an at
tack on Mr.. Hodges political career,
dwelling at length upon his attitude
toward the Investigating committee.
He also declared that Hodges is the
candidate OF the ST. Francis levee
board, which he denounced as the
most corrupt machine that ever dumi-
mated the politics Of the state.
DenOunces Men on Platform.
Several members Of the board, Eu-
gene Williams and Eugene Rolfe be-
ing among them, were seated on the
platform. He declared that these men,
and Sheriff Hutton, of Pulaski,
Hodges supporter, are the real gov
errors of the state.
The speaker denounced Governor
HAYS as the weakest governor the
state ever had, and said that he Is
now supporting Mr.. Hodges, who was
his arch political enemy only a few
months ago.
He also said that wheel in the
Hodges machine is that portion OF
the press that has been subsidized by
advertising patronage given out by the
secretary of state. DR.. BrOugh denied
all the charges that have been made
against him by Mr.. Hodges.
Hodges Has Hard Time.
Mr.. Hodges followed in an address
which was to have been only an nour
and half, but he was on the plat
form two hours and half, due to
the numerous and often protracted
interruptions from those in the audi
ence, who, the speaker said, were led
by university students
Often for ten minutes at q time
Mr.. Hodges could not be heard. on &C.
count of the Brough demonstrations
in the audience, although DIR. Brough
and the chairman, w 8. Mitchell.
p,eaded for courtesy due the speaker.
The audience was clearly Tor
| Borugh by a very large per cent. ana
the Hodges contingent OF less than q
hundred. seated on the PLATFORM
could not compete with them.
Mr. Hodges outlined his policy OF
+axation. of pensions for Confeder-
ates of support Of the agricultural
schools. and other public issues,
clearly and forcibly. He then devot-
cd mich time to answering charges
made by DR.. Brough, and IN MAKING
charges against DR.. Brough.
It was when he attempted to mimic
his opponent that the audience DroKe
forth in it's greatest storms OF dlsap-
proval, with cat-calls and Kisses. II
was Has o'clock when Mr. Hodges
finally took his seat
Police Interfere. .
DIR. Brough was to have had half
hour rejoinder. A party of Hodges
i snnporters. in retaliation for the man
ner in which Mr.. Hodges had been
treated. began ratttling chairs on
corner of the stage 80 that Dr..
Brough could not be heard. Finally.
a large party of men in the audience,
headed by United States Marshal A.
J. Walls, started toward the stage In
determined mass, and actual trou-
Mo aeomed Imminent. A detachment
of policemen quickly interfered with
the disturbers, and quieted them
down.
DR.. Brough, however, spoke for on
ly ten minutes. and very little tnat
he said could be heard. At one time.
it looked like the whole audience had
arisen on their feet. waving hats and
handkerchiefs, and shouting them
selves hoarse for DR.. Brough.
| 1t is predicted tonight that there
will be no more joint debates be-
| tween them.