Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-05

UIOHu0Olly do d 1d1olllCIs AO11OW4A5
is news report of the affairs as re-
ported the Atlanta Constitution:
GAINESVILLE, Aug. 4.-One of
the most sensational incidents that
ever occurred in Barnesville took
place today.
Thomas E. Watson was scheduled
to speak here at the Gordon insti-
tuition at II o'clock this morning,
and at that hour the large audito-
rum was rowded-largely with
friends and political supporters of
Watson, though quite a large num-
Der of the spectators were there out
of curiosity.
Watson spoke, making his usual
harrangue, bitterly attacking Wood
row Wilson and criticising the atti-
tude of the Democratic party gen.
orally.
Incidentally he cast his usual re-
flection upon the American Legion,
his aspersion in that respect being
received with indifference, if not
coldness by the audienc.
When Watson finished Grover Ed
mondson, who is accompanying him
on his speaking tour, was introduc-
ed as the next speaker.
Edmondson started his usual
harrangue and pretty soon began to
follow the line of Watson's attack
on the American Legion, which or
ganization he said was formed by Of
fcers for the purpose of perpetual
ing militarism in this country. He
followed Watson's appeal to class
hatred between the officers and the
privates, Watson having previously
said that the officers composing the
American Legion had often unnec-
essarily exposed the privates to the
hardships of weather conditions.
Slurs Officers.
The speaker, who had himself
been sent to France in uniform, was
particularly severe in criticising the
American Legion and the manage
ment of the war generally, stating
that the service of most of the mem
bers of the legion who had gone to-
France had been characterized by
their capacity for drinking wine
and neglect of dutv."
Suddenly young man in the rear
of the audience arose and quietly
pointing his finger at the speaker,
said:
'Will you give me moment to
reply to that?"
Edmondson paused, consented and
the young man advanced to the
front, his face livid, his teeth clench-
ed, and evidently endeavoring to the
utmost to refrain himself.
1t was Curtis Barrett, brother of
Charles S. Barrett, president of the
Farmers union, and son of the late
Thomas B. Barrett, for many years
representative from Pike county in
the general assembly.
Pointing his finger at Edmondson,
Barrett said:
"Your statement, sir, is a Wilful
and a deliberate Misrepresentation.
In war you would be guilty of trea
son; in peace you are guilty of un-
speakable cowardice. enlisted I'M
the war as a private soldier IN 1917,
and | spent twenty-three1 months
in France ready and willing any day
to sacrifice my life for my country.
No man knows better than you, who
has dishonOred the uniform you
wore that you wilfully and delib-
erately state an untruth in what you
say of the American Legion. don u
propose to sit silently by and have
your statements go unchallenged,
and here and now I denounce them
as false"
Audience in Uproar.
Immediately the large audience,
consisting perhaps of a thousand
people, was in an uproar.
Tom Watson quickly arose and
asked:
"What right have you to inter-
fere with our meeting?"
81 have the right of an American
citizen to speak for the truth and
l only arose after l obtained per-
mission from the speaker to inter-
rupt him." said Barrett.
Cries came from all parts OF the
house from Watson partisans-
"put him outT put him out|
81 dare you try it." retorted the
game young soldier who, as a prl-
vate, made such an excellent record
in France that before his return he
was promoted to lieutenancy.
"Ycu have got the crowd on me
and guess you can put me out, If
you try" said Barrett. "but l dare
Won m do n ~