The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1919-06-29
CANDIDATES In
DEBATE FRIDAY
MET IN JOINT DEBATE AT
CALEDONIA IN MORNING
COLUMBUS AT NIGHT
LARGE AUDIENCES
Fine Impressions Made by Both
Candidates-Was JOhnstOn's
First Appearance Here.

With a joint debate at Caledonia
between Lieut.. Governor Lee M. Rus
sell and Hon. Oscar Johnston, candi-
dates for governor. the political cam
Il paign in Lowndes county was form
ally opened in earnest.
The joint debate at Caledonia was
tame affair, and was rather disap-
pointing to the old line politicians who
went there expecting something to
break. They were disappointed for it
was a clean-cut debate, each candi-
date presenting his claims and argu-
ments in support of his claims in a
dignified, orderly and effective man
ner
There was no outpouring of the
spirit at either of the meetings as in
the days of old. The people have
been more or less Indifferent towards
politics this campaign year, and it
was really hard to get them aroused
sufficiently to turn out in force to
hear the debators.
Good audiences greeted the candi-
dates at both the Caledonia meeting
and in Columbus at night.
A big barbecue had been planned
for the Caledonia occasion, but this
feature Of the program was dispensed
with on account of the incessant rains
in that section.
DR. Emmett Jamison presided over
the debate at Caledonia in fair and
impartial manner He presented the
candidates in turn. The people listened
to the speakers attentively and APP
parently with a desire to be enlight-
ened on the issues of the campaign.
Both Mr.. Russell and Mr.. johnson
were well received at Caledonia and
they were spplauded frequently.
In Columbus Friday night the joint
debate plan was dispensed with and
the two candidates were merely al
loted an hour each in which to pre-
sent their claims. Hon. f. r. Sher-
man, chairman of the Lowndes Coun-
ty Democratic Executive Committee,
presided over the meeting. He off
ciated with grace and dignity and
was extremely fair and impartial in
his presentation of the candidates.
Before the candidates for governor
began their speeches, Hon Guy J.
! Rencher, candidate for reelection as
district attorney. presented his can
didacy. He made an effective little
speech and was roundly applauded,
and most cordially received.
Mr. Johnston spoke first. Modestly
he told of bis personal life from the
time Of his school days up to the
time he took up the affairs Of public
office He said that he was native
Mississippian and that his ancestors
for two generations had been born and
reared and lived in Mississippi
He then presented his record as
legislator, saying that he had served
twelve years in the lower house from
Bolivar county, and that he had taken
an active and intimate part in the
framing Of constructive and beneficial
legislation
Mr.. Johnston touched at length on
the State Tax Commission which has
been made an issue in the campaign
and on which he and Mr.. Russell diff
fer very materially The burden of
Mr.. JohnstOn's opposition to the law
is that the commission has ceased to
function and is absolutely without
authority and power to enforce the
provisions of the law He declared
that il was costing the State $25,50O
annually and was not functioning,
and, therefore, should be abolished.
He advocated a constitutional amend
ment 10 take care Of the financial
and taxation affairs Of the State, stat
ing that this was the only effective
and proper method of giving the state
practical and satisfactory system
Of assessment and taxation. He Of (
fered no. concrete substitute or plan
to take the place Of the State, Tax
Commission.
ne pledged ms best efforts and
ability should he be elected governor,
TO the task Of giving the State busi-
ness-hke administration of the affairs
Of the commonwealth; pledged his
support for better educational faciH-
ties and better pay for school teach
ers, wider development Of the coun-
~ demonstration work and other
agencies that go to help the farmer
IN the solution Of the problems Of
better farming, and favored budget
plan for the state.
He made clean-cut presentation
Of the principles for which he stood, ]