_Hon. T. E. Watson, Thomson, Ga._ MY DEAR SIR: On the fourth of January you were so kind as to send me a few very strong points for my speech. About the same time Hon. Jas. K. Hines also sent me some points. Our debate was postponed until the tenth inst. For I was sure we would need ample time to prepare for such a fight as we would have to make. In my letter to you I mentioned the opposition which I thought we would have to encounter, and the amount of interest that would be manifested in such a subject. In this I was not disappointed or mistaken. The badges were eagerly sought all day previous to the debate, and the Watson badges were worn by quite a number. The Auditorium was filled with people. The rostrum was covered with an arch, coming from either side of the stage, made of ribbon. Half of the arch was made of the Watson colors, and half of the Parker colors. As I entered town that afternoon I heard a little boy cry, “Hurrah for Tom Watson!” This alone paid me for the effort and work on the debate. To secure impartial judges was the one thing dreaded from the start, and in this we made a miserable failure. Two Democrats and a Republican were the best we could do. Or at least the third man came from New York. My colleague opened with a strong speech. Before the first on the negative side finished, all my fear had vanished, and I was really anxious to have my say. The chairman reprimanded some little boys for bumping their heads, a few moments before I began. I opened by saying that I wanted one of those little boys to bump his head as much as he liked because I heard him cry, “Hurrah for Tom Watson!” Turning to the audience, I asked all the little girls to remember that little boy at the proper time. Then I carried the little fellow step by step from the Claxton Institute to the President’s chair on the People’s Party Platform. Our speeches over, the committee retired for consultation. Our opponents looked the worst whipped of any I ever saw. The audience began to call for Watson badges to take the place of their Parker ones. It is generally very much out of place for anyone to accuse a committee of a wrong decision on purpose, but the case was so plain that I do not hesitate to say that their decision was based on the condition of their hearts before they heard our speeches. But many were on our side. One of the Emory College boys, a very prominent physician and a strong Democrat, and brother-in-law to one of the committee, was outspoken in saying that the affirmative side won.