Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1896-03-20
JOINT
Discussion Of the Fl
nancial Question
HAS BEEN ARRANGED BErwEEN
SECRETARY nOKE SMITH AND
Ex-sPEAKER CRISP.
TO BE IN GEORGIA
PRELIMINARY CORRESPONDENCE
ARRANGING THE DEBATE.
Crisp VIII Speak M n Candidate
'pr s-nntor-AtIautn nnd Au-
EuEta Already Nnmul.
TO BE IN GEORGIA
PRELIMINARY CORRESPONDENCE
ARRANGING THE DEBATE.

Washington, March 19.---As n result
OF correspondence between Secretary
Hoke Smith and ex-Speaker Crisp, an
arrangement has been made for joint
debate ON the financial question at n
number of places in Georgia.
The correspondence opens with n
letter dated March 10 from the Secre-
tary to MIR Crisp. as follows:
II is my purpose to spend 4 por-
tlon of the next two months in Geor-
gla, speaking upon the financial ques-
ton. l see from the papers that you
will be In the State speaking on the
financial question during the same
period. l desire TO extend to you an
invitation to each appointment which
/ make, where l will cheerfully divide
time with you. Permit me also to sug-
gest that If agreeable to you l shall
be pleased to 80 arrange my engage
ments as to make them conform to
yours. and thereby give an opportunity
for joint discussion as often as pos
sible."
In his reply, dated the 18th, the ex-
speaker. after acknowledging the let
ter. reminds tile Secretary that he (Mr
Crisp, has announced himself candi-
date for the senate. and his purpose to
make as thorough a canvass OF the
State as engagements Will permit, and
to invite other aspirants to the office
to meet and discuss with him in q
friendly way pending political issues.
Continuing, Nr. Crisp says: Permit
mo to ask, as preliminary to any fur
ther correspondence. locking to joint
discussion between is, whether you de-
Sire to be regarded as n candidate for
the office of scnator2 ] do not mean
to simply say that in any event / shall
decline your proposition, but you will
readily see that before entering into
II H. q.
ter, 1t Is orly right and proper that
should be advised as 10 the attitude
i'll which YOU viii appear In the discus
sen"
TO this the secretary replied in part
as follows:
my purpose 10 TO join you in the
financial discussion, that l may con-
tribute all within my power to prevent
the Democrats of Georgia from com.
hitting them elves 10 the advocacy Of
free and unlimited and independent
coinage of silver at the ratio of 10 to l.
II Is seven months until the senatorial
election Will take place in Georgia.
an not now Il candidate, and do not
wish to become one. l shall speak In
Augusta on March n, and IN Atlanta
on April l. At both Of these places
viii be pleased to divide time with
ylu. l will make no more appoint
merits until | hear from YOU
Mr. Crisp said in reply: ut is quite
true that the senatorial election in
Georgia will not take place for several
months, but II Ia also true that under
the arrangements for nominations
made by those authorized to act, the
Democratic candidate for that office
can or possibly viii I've determined on
in less than three months You will
understand that it Is quite unusual for
II candidate during bis canvass to en-
gage In joint discussion with anyone
other than asplrants for the position he
seeks. Again distinguished Georgian
Of high character and attainments is
now u candidate for the Office of
United States senator IL agreeable to
him, / hope to arrange for some
friendly discussion between us, and
courtesy to him demands that should
not devote any considerable portion of
the next two months to Joint discussion
with one however distinguished who is
stranger to the contest.
Nevertheless | cannot obtain my con-
sent to entirely decline your courteous
offer. Protesting that this departure
on my part from rule and precedents
shall not be drawn into dispute l
cheerfully accept your invitation to
divide time with you both at Augusta
and Atlanta ON such terms and at such
times and places as may be agreed
| upon by mutual friends at these points
l also express n Willingness to engage
with you on such terms and at such
times ard places as may be agreed
| upon by mutual friendship in say four
or five or six additional debates. pro-
vided only that shall not be thus de-
tained later than the middle of April.
| Should you at any time during the cam
! vass become candidate for the senate,
i shall. after communication with other
aspirants, be willing TO arrange with
| you for further joint discussions
throughout the state"
Secretary Smith In acknowledging
| this letter says:
Permit me to suggest that as our
first Two meetings are at points made
by myself, you select at once the next
two places at which we shall engage
In joint discussion. This will facilitate
our agreeing upon other places at which
We can easily meet before the middle
of April"
This closes the correspondence.