The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1889-08-20
APOLurICAL SENSATION.
Col. ChfPley TO Meet Senator Call
ON the STUMP.

On Wednesday, August H. Col W. D. Chip
ley, Chairman of the State Democratic Execu-
tive Committee, mailed TO Senator Call letter
accepting challenge to meet him on the stump.
and on Sunday last the letter was published
simultaneously in the Savannah News Times
Union and Pensacola News As this will be
somewhat of political sensation, we give be-
low Col. Chipey's letter and comments upon it
from the Pensacola News and Times Union.
THE CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.
PENSACOLA, FLA, August IA, 1889.
Hon. Wilkinson CALL Washington, ID. c.:
DEAR IR:-My attention has been attracted
by discussion in the public press, in which
you challenge your "defamers" to meet you and
discuss the charges made against you before the
people in every county IN the State. l have not
favored this discussion at this time; not that
did not believe the charges, but because con-
sidered the time inopportune 1t is therefore
with some surprise that | learn that you do not
hesitate, in conversation, to connect my name
with these newspaper assaults, and your friends
repeat what you say, and some of the newspa-
pers favorable to your reelection mention my
name outright, though you have not been frank
enough 10 announce the names of your alleged
"detamers' in as public manner you have
made the charge of defamation of your char
aCter.
In view Oh lnlS TACT L dul lllpcllcu 10 say 10
you that will accept your challenge and will
meet you before the people. You will recall
that wrote you, years ago, over my own sig
nature, my opinion OF your course. | have
never since then found it necessary 10 mask be-
hind anv public journal on that or any other sub
icct. | will meet you, not AS your "defamer,"
but in the interest of truth, the State of Florida
and the prosperity OF our people, and to show to
them your utter lnCapaci;y - Till, OF else your
Wiliu disregard OF the duties Of the high posi-
ton You holG at the hands OF the people Of this
State. respectfully propose the following con-
ditOns:
First-I will formulate the charges at each
meeting in nos exceeding oae hour and fifteen
minutes you 10 reply in not exceeding one hour
and torly-live minutes, and | to have fifteen
minutes for my Ieioiuder No introduction 10
exceed eight minutes.
Sccond-Tnele shall be fifty meetings in the
Statc-nOt less than one in each cOunty-at
points TO BE- fixed later between us.
Thirl-fhese meetings to commence on the
tigst Tuesday in March, 1890, and continue to
the finish Il would be useless and senseess TO
discuss the issues ot next years campaign al an
earlier date.
Either party who abandons the contest before
its conclusion viii thereby acknowledge defeat.
Fourh-As the discussion is IA ul.tter relating
solely - your official course, it must De under
stood thai ii Shall not lead to any discord in the
party, whose harmony is of far greater import
ance than any private interest. Nor shall it
give us any claim upon the party organization,
but al each meeting We shall discharge all ex-
penses equally between
Fifth i will checrlully join you in a request
to The S.a'e press To suspend discussion until
February next, the month preceding the COM
mencencn oi the proposed discussion.
viii m III YOU copy of this acceptance, and
at the same time give it publicity through the
same medidm 10y which your chlllenge reached
me, towit Tho STATE press. Respectfully,
W. ID. CHIPLEY.