The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-15
THE CAMPAIGN In INDIANA.
Facts About That Contemplated Joint
Debate in the Eighth District.
A Democrats Reasons for Abandoning Free
Trade and "0ld, Sumptuary" -Repub-
Iican Meetings at Many Points.
THE ErGHrH DISTRICT.

The Facts About the Proposed Joint Debate
Between Lamb and Johnston.
Correspondence of the Indianapolis journal.
NEwTowN, Sept. II -Messrs Johnston and
Lamb, the Republican and Democratic candi-
dates for Congress in the Eighth district, met
here last night When the bills for the respect
i've meetings were sent here, Mr. Dagger, a lead
ing Democrat and the central committeeman
from this township, called upon the Republicans
and proposed division of time. The Repub-
licans correspondent with Mr.. Johnston, who very
promptly accepted the challenge. In the mean
time, Mr.. Lamb had been publicly asserting that
he had challenged Mr. Johnston and hoped to
meet him here. Mr.. Lamb and Mr.. Johnston
met at Attica in the morning. Mr.. Johnston
then notified him that he had been challenged by
his friends, had accepted and was ready to di-
vide the time. Mr.. Lamb remarked, so am I. +"
Thus matters stood until last evening, when Mr.
Lamb claimed he had not been notified Of any
arrangement of the kind, and must consult his
friends Just before time to commence speak
ing William R. Harris called upon Mr. John
ston, claiming to be acting for Mr.. Lamb, and
said that he Lamb) wanted Mr.. Johnston to
send a written challenge if he desired division
of time Mr. Johnston very promptly replied
that he had already accepted the challenge made
by Mr.. Lamb or his friends, and was now ready
to meet him upon such terms as might be agreed
upon by their friends. Nothing more was heard
from them until the Republicans were about
ready to open their meeting, when Mr.. Harris
again called, in company with some other gen
tlemen, claiming to have been sent by Mr..
Lamb, who stated that Mr.. Lamb claimed that
he was member of Congress, and it was Mr..
Johnstons place to challenge him : in
writing. Mr.. Johnston remarked that
he and his friends had accepted one chal-
lenge from Mr.. Lamb or his friends, and that
there was no time now to carry on correspond
ance. After the speaking had commenced at
the Republican stand, Mr.. Lamb sent a messen-
ger to Mr.. Johnston, saying that if he (Johnstonl
would come to his lLambs) meeting, he could
do so. and that he would divide the time, he
(Lambl fixing the terms to suit himself. This
proposition was refused, and the meetings went
on each party claiming they had the best speech
highly pleased with their meeting as well as
with Mr.. Johnston as their standard bearer.
Mr. Lamb did not want joint meeting, and
didn't intend to have one; hence his dilatory ac-
tion and standing on his official dignity. Mr. A
K Clark, a leading Democrat stated upon our
streets this morning that he met Mr.. Lamb in
Attica yesterday, where the following converse
ton took place; Mr.. Lamb said: Have my
friends at Newtown challenged the Republicans
for joint discussiong" Being informed that it
was SO understood, he said: nIf they have they
did it without any authority from me. ! think
] am able to run my own CANVASS l need Re
to overcome in the district, and if have joint
discussion with Johnston tonight it will draw
the wires so tight that / will not get a Repub-
ncan vote