The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1893-10-05
BACKED DOWN.
M'KlNLeY WOULD NOT MEET cANDi.
DATE MEAL.

The Governor Did Everything in His
Power to Esoape the Debate and Finally
5uoceeded-The Speakers Addressed
Different Audiences at Findlsy-The
Democrats Had to Turn Voters Away.
Special TO Plain Dealer.
EINDhAY, Oct. 3.-Gov. Mckinley and
Hon. Lawrence T. Neal, one the caudi-
date for recollection and the other the as,
pirant for the same position with the best
prospects for success, we're here this
evening, and Gov. Mckinley had the ops
portunity to meet bis antagonist in joint
debate upon the same platform before an
audience of q, 900 people, composed equally
of representatives of both political par
ties. The opportunity he declined, but
had to resort to every circumvention In
order to escape from meeting Mr.. Neal on
the platform. Az o'clock this evening,
In accordance with instructions wired TO
Chairman Metcalf of the Democratic
county committee by Mr.. Neal, who was
then waiting at Carey to catch the train
for Findlay, that gentleman handed Gov.
Mckinley the following challenge:
John Wren, Chairman Republican
County Committee: Iussmuch az the Re-
publican state executive committee has
assigned Gov. Mckinley to speak In
Findlay on the night Of Oct. 3, and mas
much as the Democratice state central
committee has assigned Hon. Lawrence
T. Neal to speak in Findlay the same
night;
IraTmuch % there are number of
voters who would be glad to hear the party
issues discussed from the same platform,
am hereby authorized to issue chal-
lenge for joint debate from the same
platform, the details TO be arranged.later.
G. b. METoALF,
Chairman Democratic Committee.
To this the following reply was received
by Mr.. Neal and the Democratic commit
tee half hour later:
G. B. Metcalf, Chairman: The challenge
contained ia your note received at 7
o'clock by Gov. Mckinley was by the gov
ernor promptly and cheerfully accepted
on the following conditions: Gov. McKin-
ley to open with on address of one hour,
to be followed by Mr.. Neal in an hour aud
half, and Gov. Mckinley to close In
thirty minutes, the meeting to take place
at the Marvin opera house and to begin
at 1880 o'clock.
JOHN WREN, Chairman.
Mr.. Neal was qdartered at the Joy
house and sent the following reply:
John Wren, Chairman Republican
County Committee: We agree to the
terms proposed, with the following modi-
fications, TO wit: Gov. Mckinley may
open the debate with an address of one
hour, to be followed by Mr.. Neal in an
address OF one hour and twenty minutes,
Gov. Mckinley to follow Mr.. Neal in
speech OF thirty minutes and Mr.. Neal to
close the debate in a speech OF ten min
uteB, or with the above division of time
we will give Gov. Mckinley his choice TO
open or close the debate. We are willing
the debate shAll be held in the Marvin
opera house, but insist that one-half OF
the hall be assigned to Democrats, 30 that
the members Of both PARTIES may be able
to hear the discussion.
c. B. METCALF, Chairman.
Mr.. Nal arrived at 4 80 on the Big -Four
from Kenton and was received by large
escort. He opened headquarters at the
Joy house and held n reception till
$3.50 o'clock. Gov. Mckinley reached
the city al 5. 80 and was accompanied by
Lieut.. Gov. Harris, Adjutant General
Howe aud Hon. Frauk McCullocb, mem
ber Of the board of public works. He was
escorted TO the Marvin hotel and after the
correspondence between him and Mr..
Neal closed, left for the new Marvin
opera house, which was packed and
waiting his arrival Mr.. Neal spoke in
the Davis opera house, the two halls be-
lug crowded with nearly 1000 people. The
Davis could not hold the crowd and Hon.
John Bailey, of Ottawa, candidate for a.
torney general, who brought over 600 on
q special, addressed an overflow meeting
on the outside.
When Mr.. Meals last message was sent
to Gov. Mckinley the Republican commit
tee made the excuse for him that the
hall could not be divided up aud so all
negotiations for joint debate closed to
the great disappointment of Democrats
and the great elAtion of the wise Res
publicans. Gov. Mckinley was intro
duced by Col. James A. Bope and
spoke his regular speech with which all
are familiar.