The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1874-09-03
DISCUSSION.
Wilson and Wukinson.

4 Wk1SOM anu W Oklu6OUs
We attended political discussion Wed
nesday evening of the present week
between the Hon. James Wilson and
James Wilkinson at the Court House
in Toledo. The meeting was called to
order by Judge Struble who was elected
Chairman by the house. At7:30 p. m. the
chair introduced Mr. Wilson to the audi
ence who opened the debate and the cam
paign between these contestants for Con-
gressional honors, in an hours speech,
Mr.. Wilkinson following with q speech of
an hour and half, Mr.. Wilson closing
with half an hour We have time and
space to give only passing notice3to
the arguments advanced by the parties to
the debate.
| Mr.. Wilson stated that he had not made
political speech for two years, and that
this was the beginning Of the canvass on
the stump for him. He stated that from
the very nature Of things in Republican
Government there could be but two par
ties, that this Anti Monopoly party in
Iowa was but new branch of the old
Democracy and as such the Republican
party of Iowa would have to fight it, Mr..
Wilson spoke at great .ength on the-ques
sion of interstate commerce, advocating
the Republican policy, that Congress has
the right to regulate commerce between
the States regardless Of the position taken
by the Democracy to the contrary. He
stated that the opposition of the Republ-
can party voted almost unanimous IN
congress against the right of at body to
so regulate the railroads. He very briefly
compared the platform of the Anti MOnop-
ly party with this republican policy and
showed conclusively that the past prin-
ciples, and the present policy, and dis
position Of the elements opposing the Re
publican party was to retard all progress
in congressional legislation towards re-
gulating the commerce between the states.
Mr.. Wilson utterly refuted the charge that
he promised to not take any of the In
creased salary for the purpose of securing
votes in that he was elected in November
previous to the following March when the
salary act was passed. He showed that
he had not taken any more pay than that
Of the salary upon which he was elected.
He explained his position on the Boss
Sheppard investigation, showing that his
action in the premises was an honest one
and stated as his reasons for not voting in
favor of turning him out of his position as
Governor in the District of Columbia, the
fact that the bill saddlcd ten millions dol
lars Of the debt Of the District upon the
general Government For that and other
reasons-which to US are amply satisfac-
tory-he voted us he did, not to white-wash
the Boss, but against the assumption Of
the debt of the District by the general
Government These were the leading
features of the argument, and position
which were made and defined by NJ. Will
son in the opening.
Mr. Wilkinson then took the floor state
ing that '';ls you are all aware this is new
business to me-" He rchcarsed all the old
exploded charges against Mr.. Wilson, and
lot of trumpcd-up, new ones, forgetting
to raise any other issue, except these per-
sonal charges, and the howl about the cor
ruption in the Republican party, failing
in single instance to show where the |
party had countcnanccd any of it. His |
charges were made in general way with
MT II
but what the position of the Republican
party on the question regulating Rail
Roads and interstate commerce was cor
rect. Ills sole aim seemed to be to make
a personal fight, against Mr.. Wilson, re-
gardless Of the truth Of his assertions. In |
many of the charges which he made against
Mr.. Wilson he cntirly failed to bring any
proof that his position was IA correct one,
and was met by denial and IA contrary |
showing which he could not break down. |
Mr.. Wilson admitted number of the
charges which were made against him,
and successfully established his course as
the speech of this modern Goth and it |
was simply laborcd effort to make Mr. |
Wilson appear odiousas an individual, and |
a representative of the people This at
tempt was Of no avail Mr.. Wilson met
him on every side with denials which he
or else admitted the truth of
the charges, and successfully justified his
course
The body Of the Court House was crowd
ed. We should judge that there was an
audience present of $50 or 300 people |
There were few Ladies' present. Each
particular faction in the dience seemed
to be well pleased with the effort made BY
their respective candidates. Wchave not
space for further report. They debate at
Vinton in Benton county this Thursday
evening.
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