The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-09-08
LIVINGSTON AND WATSON
THE COLONIES REFUSAL TO HAVE
a JOINT DEBATE.

He Finds Numerous Objections to the
Scheme, and Does Not Know of ANY
Difference of Opinion Between Mr..
Watson and Rimself-Fech Apt to
Speak Separately.
ATLANTA, GA. Sept. Col. L. F. Liv-
ingston furnishes for publication tonight
his reply to the committee Of five that ad-
dressed to him the request for joint debate
with Col. Watson. "While acknowledging
the compliment Of your invitation" says
Col. Livingston. II am compelled to decline
objections. which, | am sure when sug-
gested. will commend themselves to your
own Judgment. In the first place, l am not
aware that there is any difference of opin-
ion between Mr.. Watson and myself on the
subject. II we do not differ there
is no room for a joint debate.
AS an allianceman l stand on the
'Ocala platform. Its railroad plank is as
definite as any other 10 it, including the sub
treasury plank. That plank is efficient gov
eminent control by means of railroad com
missions, aud, If this means fail, by govern
ment ownership" The colonel goes on to
quote the railroad plank, aud says there
1 Is no TOln more IDdu Oub CDuSlA 0NbAOA
OF it.
AN ADDITIONAL OBJECTION.
An additional objection to a Joint discussion
| is that no good can come either to the order
| that have the honor to represent or the puohc
| Itwould be construed as an antagonism between
| Col. Watson and myself, and would be hailed
with delight by the enemies of the order.
! am in favor OF enforcing paragraph g. section
| ., article Of the constitution. j do not KNOW
! what detailed plan Mr.. Watson prefers TO
| ba h. fI1ra adDpr n secure the
only thing the trainers OF the constitution had
in their minds at the time said paragraph OF
said section and article was adopted-:ompetl-
ton between the several lines OF rallroads IN
| this state. The bill introduced into the House by
Mr. Pope of Oglethorpe, and Senator Nunnally
| of the Twenty seventh will secure the Dement'S
| Of competition to the people OF Georgia, whether
| the railroads are combined or held and operated
| singy. And only through the railroad com
| mission can we secure and maintain the benefits
of competition or such rates as would be obtain
| where paral al roads exist Certainly the trainers
| OF the constitution did not mean TO preserve
competition to the large cities or terminal points
only. They must have meant to all the people
| at all points, and TO do this we must rely upon
| the railroad commission, or else build
| parallel roads to every tatiou or depot IN the
| state The much cheaper plan and far more
satis'ectoryIto the masses of our people in
| Georgia is to give the railroad commission
| authority to secure aud maintain the benefits OF
| competition if they have not that authority
| now and fix a Just and reasonable penalty for
|
lations as prescribed by said rallroadcommission.
| desire to say that any wise just and effective
method for the nforcing OF the state constitution
| byyour honorable body will meet my hearty ap'
| prevail, and when can spare the time, if it IS
| the pleasure of the members, or any number OF
| them, to hear me upon the Ocala platform, in
| Guiding the railroad plank. win cheerfully
| consent to address you. Accept my thanks,
| gentlemen for the invitation.
| Yours respectfully,
| L. f. LIVINGSTON.
A telegram was received here to-day from
| Hon. Tom Watson. He had been notified
of Col. Livingston's refusal to debate, and
was asked If he would speak alone. His an
| swer was:
| l will not speak alone unless invited The
| invitation already given was to a joint dis
cussioH. If invited will speak any day next
| week. THOs. L. WATSON.