New-York tribune., 1892-01-08
ACHALLENGEO ON THE TARIFF
@THE WORLD INVITES TIE TRIBUNE TO
JOINT DEBATE.

AN IMMEDIATE ACCEPTANCE FOLLOWED BY
BACKDowN BY THE FREETRADE ORGAN
For several weeks past, The Tribunes genial
Democratic contemporary in this CITY. Inc
World" the principal organ OF Tree trsde neie'
has been printing in its columns an ihVita'loh "
persons who believe iD the Protective iarih u
send their views to The World" fer publication
Once, during the period, an invitation WAS
sent from THE World" Office to q writer on tie
editorial staff of The Tribune, inviting him per-
sonally TO contribute his views Protection TO the
columns of The World"
The Tribune has received, from time TO time.
from persons living in different parts ol the
United States, many letters enclosing printed slips
taken from The World" and asking why the
offer of The World WAS not accepted by The
Tribune. In several issues of The Weekly World
this offer has been published evidence OF the
desire Of that paper give the arguments on both
sides of the tariff question, and The World has
claimed that for some reason the believers In
Protection have refused to accept the opportunity
TO be heard in opposition paper.
a DIRECT CHALLENGE.
On the 18th of November last The Tribune
received from The World formal invitation to
trial Of strength the Tariff issue, this being the
first official notice received by The Tribune upon
this subject. The following is a copy of the chal
lenge:
TIE WORLD
Weekly Department.
New York. Nov. l4th, 1891.
Dear Sir: The World" is anxious that the Of
s.; weekly edition should be converted to Protection. if
Protection is II sht. While many Protection writers
have accepted its standing invitation and contributed
special pleas in favor of that idea what the Protection
writers have said has been received with laughter
rather than applause they misook the Intelligence
OF the audience.
II The Tribune continues its advocacy II Prtec-
ton during .he coming winter lis object should be TO
make converts rather than to confirm those who al
ready believe: and The World offers 1t an exchange
of pupits with all possible cOuresies. BY that means
The Worlds readers Will get the best that can lie
said for Protection, The Tribune will get all the
converts an intelligent discussion can ObtAin from
100000 intelligent voters
t. make this offer definite. The World VIII pfht
In IFS weekly edition from Tho Tribune ten articles
nrepared or selected by it. OF 1,2oO to 1000 woNis
Zach proyiding The Tribune will print from "Ihe
worlds corresponding articles Of similar length Such
tournament could not fail to prove an attractive
feature to the readers Of both papers and be well worth
the space if printed together by each.
This offer is merely tentative Inc WI" %
ready to accept any notifications ana any cooiuo!'
Tbe Tribune may impose provided the modincauohs
40 NOT DESTROY the central idea that the SUBSCRIBERS
O.. ..cb shau hear the other side" IL feels 80 GUN
ra.rt that The Tribune would not accept much iess
ask, any conditions that were rot fair anu '"'' '''''
q leaves IL free 10 make any IL desires
Trusting that this offer will receive cohSioei'i'n
in the friendly and fraternal spirit it is made remain
Yours very truly
T. F. WILSON,
Manager Weekly Dept
To the Editor Of the Tribune
AN IMMEDIATE ACCEPTANCE.
The 18th of November was SunuaS' op'n
Monday the challenge of Inc wofiu was IN
nm for consideration. Early on the following o"S
Tho Tribune sent prompt acceptance outlining
as is usual in these cases. the plan 1or Vl'e oo"'o
and naming certain conditions, precisely as IL was
asked to do in the clearly expressed terms oil MI
Wilson's letter. can.
We give an exact copy OF the acceptance Scio
IN THE World in order that our readers may
be able to Judge for themselves how promptly
and with what perfect fairness the challenge was
accepted:
NEw-YoRK TRIBUNE
Ncw-York Nov. Il, 1891.
tn the Editor Of Tie world,' New-York CITY.
Dear Sir: The Tribune is in receipt OF a letter daed
the 14th inst. from T. f. Wilson, manager OF weekly
Deparmst OF The World relative to joint discus
son Of the Tariff question by ." The World" and Inc
Tribune in their res pective Weekly editohs.
The proposition of Mr.. Wilson for a contest Is
prefaced with expressions, which seem Oh aouo'An
nropretv In a correspondence which should be con-
Quoted good faith and courtesy But let ''ia'
pass. ,.,
The Tribune Is inclined TO receive the proposition
%, a ioint discussion with favor but with certain
conditions which shall be imposed alike upon each
Journal.
The articles of "The World' shall be prepared by
O man whose public position and reputation are such
that bis uerances the Tariff shall be accepted as
authoritative by The Democratic party Of the Umted
States He shall sign the articles with his own name
The Tribune shall select man OF sufficient National
reputation to fill the same requirements for the Ke
publican party, and who shall sign his articles Win MS
own name.
Length OF articles 1900 to 1000 words as sug-
gested
The first article written for The Tribune shall de
fine I'm clear terms the Kind OF Tariff laws IN "mch
this journal believes. and shall state fully the system
OF levying duties which it will advocate ana delehu
the coming year. ,
The first article written for "The World snail
clearly define the kind of tariff laws in which that
Journal believes. II believes in absolute free trade IL
shall Gay II it believes in a tarln for re'ehuo
,nly it shall so state; and by whatever posiuoh IL
skes "The World also shall promise TO abide during
The coming National campsg gn Each wntef shaii
,tand by the system defined These TWO artcies
shall be submitted to both journals and until each Is
satisfied that the statement Of the other is full ana co
plete neither article is to be published
The seoond article written for each shall con-
sst Of statements giving the reasons of each writer IN
favor Of the system or kind N duties In which lie be
leves and which has been named in the first article
The third article shall contain the statement by
each writer Of the principal objections TO the system
advocated by his antagonist
Then shall follow six articles by each writer present
ing such facts and arguments he may deem best
In all statements adherence to the exact truth shall
be required OF each writer; and. when demanded the
authority for any presented data shall be named.