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.