The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-10-02
Mr.. Tucker Declines, to DISCUSS.

Last Thursday, bills were circulated
Through the city announcing that Hon. j.
II. Tucker would address the people OF
stanton, in the Opera House, Friday
night. A friend of the Republican candi-
date was conversing with anumber Of Mr..
Tucker S friends, who expressed q desire
to have discussion between the two can
didates on the occasion named and re-
GREETED Mr.. y ost's absence. They were
informed by the gentleman present. that
they would be accommodated and that the
Republican candidate would be gotten
here, without fail, il terms of meeting
were arranged. This friend was not aware,
at the time. that a proposition for discus
sion, on amy fair terms, had been com
municated tothp Democratic county chair
man by the Republican county chairman.
and that the Democratic chairman had
disclainiea amy knowledge of the invita-
ton sent to Mir. Tucker to speak. After
the friend above referred to had heard Of
this, he Went 10. the gentlemen who first
spoke to him TO learn whether they had
authority to represent Mr.. Tucker. They
gavea similar answer to that given by the
county chairman. The chairman of the
Workingmen and Mechanics Democratic
Clul, was approached on the subject. ard
he made Il like disclaimer Finding no
one who WAS authorized in the premises,
the following correspondence took place.
Mr.. Yost having returned to the city
Friday:
SrAUNToN. VA. Sept. 90 81.
SIR y GU are announced TO address the
voters OF Staunton at the Opera House to-
night. presume it will be agreeable to
you to have joint discussion. and therefore
propose a division OF time on amy fair
terms.
Mr.. w. E. Craig, who bears this. will
arrange terms With yourself or any friend.
Very Respectfully, j. YosT.
Hon. j. r. Tucker
To this Mr.. Tucker repliedas follows:
eTAUNToN. Sept. 26. 81.
Sir | haze been invited to address the
Democratic Clubs of the city tonight.
Y our proposal for Joint discussion would
not e consistent with the arrangements
made for the purpose. 1t is therefore de
clinea. Very respectfully.
j. h. TUCKER.
lNl'. j. Yost.
This was The result Of the banter and
the way the field was open for Mr. Tucker
to make the speech he did last Friday
night-a speech he would never have ut
tered had there been anyone to follow
him. His reckless and indefensble state
ments, his venomous denunciations, and
ridiculous conclusions were safe with an
most of whom had assembled to
applaud. and will vote for him. without a
thought Of the effect of the vote. so it is
in accord with the orders of the machine
bosses. But Mr.. Tucker loses every time
he declinesa discussion on fair terms
with his opponent. The great voting
army OF Staunton, of Augusta county. of
the 10th district and the State are anxious
to have the political issues of the canvass
discussed, so that they may be informed
to the end that they may he prepared to
cast an intel igent ballot. We know that
is precisely what the ring managers do not
want. They want the people kept in igno-
rance-to stieE to the party, right or wrong,
and not to have light shed either upon Mr..
Tucker record, the pretenees Of the
Democratic party, or the Inconsistencies
of both Mr.. Tucker and the party. Mr..
Tucker is afraid to face the people. with
his votes, his statements and, what he
calls, his arguments exposed. He knows
and his managers know that he would lose
votes, that the 'workingmen and me-
chanicso are instinetiyely opposed to both
him and his theories, and it is to keep
them in ignorance Of the true relations
the questions at issue bear to their inter-
est and prosperity, that joint discussions
are declined. (