Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1858-07-29
Meeting of the Candida ties
fer Congress-.

SAih, lND.s July 1000.
Col. WALKER and Mr.. CoLFAx, having
met together, Nth mutual friends, for pur-
poses OF consultation in regard to the Con-
gressional Canvass in the 9Th District,
there were present with Mr.. c., Messrs.
G. B. Roberts and w. H. H. Whitehead,
and with Col. w. Messrs John Eason and
John B. Fravel.
Mr.. Colfax. being invited by Col Walk
er to make such propositions as he saw fit,
profsred to him for acceptance either one
of the following:
1. To make joint canvass of the Dis
trict in thorough manner, as has been
done in previous campaigns.
2. For each to canvass the country ap-
pointments separately. and to unite in a
joint canvass of the county seats.
8. For each to canvass the whole Dis
trio: separately.
To which Mr.. Walker objected
1st. Because canvass Of the District
by Townships would be inconsistent with
the condition of his health, which is not
good.
3D. Because it seemed to him improper
that the canvass sould be made in any man
ner other than jointly by the candidates.
Mr.. Walker modified the propositions Ct
Mr.. Colfax IS follows:
That the canvass be made jointly, and
that it be confined to the county seats OF
the several counties Of the Congressional
District.
To which Mr.. Colfax responded
That such a canvass. so limited in its
extent, would not be be satisfactory to
to the people of the District, and that there
fore he could not assent to it.
Whereupon it was agreed that the res
pective propositions be reduced to writing,
and signed by the conferces; and the meet
ing adjourned.
J. G.. WALLER,
SCHUYLER CoLFAx,
GEO. B. ROBERTS.
WIN. II. II. WHITEHEAD,
JOHN EAsox,
JNo. B. FRAvEL.
NorE.--It is but just and proper that
the attention of the reader should be direc.
ted to the character Of the propositions
above published. The first in order
viewed in connection with the poor health
of the Democratic nominee--could not be
taken into consideration 1t is out Of the
question for him to commence the canvass
in few days. and continue it in the man
ner proposed by Mr.. Colfax, until the day
of the election. A part ofproposition No
e.-"for each [candidatc to canvass the
country appointments separately, and to
unite in joint CANVASS at the county seas
like proposition No. 3, is what would be
termed in the code. irregular and out of or.
der. The question to be determined BY
the candidates was, evil they may make a
joint canvass. under rules mutually agreed
upon?" If not, it only remains for each tC
follow the direction of his own judgment
without any arrangement with the other
That part of the proposition of Mr.. Colfa1
which was regular, and i'll order, was actu-
ally accepted by his competitor. in this
modification: ''that the canvass be made
jointly, and that it be confined to the coun-
ty seats of the several counties Of the Con-
gressional District" II there was any al
vantage in this, it would accrue to the Re-
publican candidate, inasmuch as he has
canvasscd the district three times, and has
sCwl his sentiments broadcast among his
constituents, through the instrumenlaliiy
of speeches delivered and published at the
National Capitol. He dissents, however,
from the modification of his proposition, on
the ground that "a canvass, so limited in its
extent, would not be satisfactory to the PEG,
ple." Upon this point. it is only necessary
to remark, that, in most of the States, q
canvass Of the county seats, by candidates
for Congress. is all that is expected or de-
sired by the people. The custom prevail.
ing in some parts of the country, requiring
candidates for Congress to stump the town
ships of large district, is reprehensible
and the people distinctly appreciate the
fact. 1t is an unnecessary tax upon the
health, strength and the time of the candid.
ates, and results in no practical good
Candidates for Office shoul1 meet face tc
face, and discuss the issues between them
as frequently as is necessary to enable them
TO be heard and judged by the people,
This much the Democratic candidate was
anxious TO do, ard this the Republican can
didate declines. and thus the question be.
u n i