Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1892-08-25
CHEAP NOTORIETY.
A Democratic Campaign Lie Gets tn
Wind Knocked Out of 1t

| Ntnd hnockc0 Out OF
When Private John Allen spoke at
Meridian on Friday night, Aug. 18th,
it was telegraphed far and wide that
Hon. Frank Burkitt had challenged
him or any other Democrat to a joint
discussion there and when he found
Mr.. Allen had accepted and would be
on hand, he backed down and skipped
out Of town on the first train. This
version was proclaimed in glaring
headlines, by the Democratic dailies,
and almost every little Tray, Blanch
and Sweethearto of Democratic weekly
has since taken up and re-echoed It,
The facts of the matter are given by Mr..
III. L. Gurley, an active Peoples party
man OF Meridian, in the Tribune of the
| 18th as follows:
An honorable citizen of our coun-
try was in to see me last week, and in
course OF conversation said Hon.
Frank Burkitt would attend the alli-
ance meeting in the country during
the week, and suppose we give notice
to the public that he will address the
citizens at the Court House Friday
might. suggested that it might not
be best to do so without his knowledge
as previous engagements might pre-
cluded the possibility of his doing so.
However, l yielded, and 1t was so pub
lished. Il suppose | did not see it,
A day or so after Messrs Dial and Mar
tin came to see me on the question,
larl ri or of fnd
tended to be Democratic speaking
Friday night and claimed priority of
right to the Court House, but they
we're willing to have joint discussion.
l related the above facts as to Hon.
Burkitt's appointment, and declined
to make the appointment, as did not
know that Hon. Burkitt could be pres
ent, but stated that should he be on
hand | had no doubt he would willing
ly debate the questions of the hour.
l assume equal responsibility as to
his appointment here, and hereby
make this explanation, in justice to
on honorable citizen and faithful pub
lie servant. 1t is true, it seems, that
he was here last Thursday evening,
from the alliance meeting in this
county, but on his his way to meet a
previous engagement in joint discus
sion Friday noon, and another engage
ment seventeen miles distant at night
of the same day. From the above
facts he did not las you say issue his
challenge to meet any Democrats nor
take "the first train" because of Mr..
Aliens coming.
1t seems there has been a mighty
effort to make capital out of the so
called challenge" and his non-appear-
ance through fear of meeting the Hon
able John"
They say drowning men will catch
at straws, and it seems to have been
well illustrated in this instance.
will pay 800 If any man can prove
the appointment was made with his
knowledge, or that he challenged"
any Democrat to meet him in debate
as reported. Now put up or shut up.
- H. L. GURLEY,
Meridian, August 16.
Capt. Burkitt has the following to
say for himself on the subject in the
issue of the Chickasaw Messenger.
Without our knowledge or consent,
for we had other appointments which
confiicted, somebody announced that
VIC WOulu SpOah ut SdlIOtAOOh Oh eiiO
1lth inst, and at Meridian on the
night of the 18th, and as we were not
at either place the partisan newspaper
reporter tells the world that Burkitt
didn't show up, and that he and the
Peoples party were completely demol-
ished, of course. IL any of our friends
should have thoughtlessly, made these
appointments we are sure they will
not again do so without first consult
ing us, but il it was done by gentle
men belonging TO 1.-The party of devious
ways" we suppose the trick will be
duplicated in the near future. To be
compelled to resort to such scheme,
to secure an audience is pitiable in
deed, but then we suppose we should
not begrudge them the Falstaffian vic
tories they may thus attain, for they
will be badly left in the real battle,
which is 10 occur Nov. Sth next.
The LEADER has devoted this much
space to this subject simply because
it is fair sample of the methods of
misrepresentation now being resorted
to by the Democratic party, and to
place the people on guard against cam
paign lies that will be flying through
the air from now ON, thicker than
sedge seed ON autumn blast.