The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-09-04
MIR. DAYS REPLY.
He Cannot Meet Congressman Nc
Cleary in Joint Debate During
September.
His Committee Would Like to Put
Prof. Cation Forward in Days
Place.

The joint committees of the Demo-
cratic and Populist congressional com
mittees held meeting in this city
Friday night and another Saturday.
G. n. Peterson. of Fairmont, was
chosen chairman of the JOINT COM
mittee, and Byron Hughes, of this
city, secretary. W. r. Hodges, of
Sleepy Eye, was selected as Sec
rotary of the Populist congress
sional committee. The other mem
bers of the Populist committee
present were w. G. Benbow,
of Window; Geo. A. Giles, of We'll
come: P. McGrath, of this county,
and Spurgen S. O'Dell, of Marshall.
Frank A. Day was also present last
night.
The chief subject for consideration
was the challenge for series of joint
debates between Congressman Nc
Cleary and Mr.. Day, one in each
county of the district, issued by the
Republican congressional committee.
The committee did not want to ap-
pear in the light of refusing the
challenge, from the effect it
might have on the voters. They
did not want Mr.. Dry exposed to the
terrible fire of truths and arguments
with which Congressman McCleary is
loaded, being still more afraid of the
effect on the people. They preferred to
take the chances of a joint debate
with one Prof. Cation, who runs bust
ness college at Minneapolis, and who
is said to be glib talker. If Cation
fell down before Mr.. McCleary's irres
istable arguments, it would ''cut no ice
for Day, and it would attract the fire
from him.
Impelled by all these considera
tions, reply was carefully framed
clothed in the most evasive language
at the command of the combined
steering committee, and was today
served on Chairman Benedict, of the
Republican congressional committee
1t is curious document, novel in
some respects. and certainly worthy
of preservation in a cabinet for rare
specimens.
Here it is:
G. L. BENEDICT, ESQ.,,
Chairman Congressional Central
Committee, Second District, Manka-
to, MINI.
DEAR SIR:-Yours of recent date
was duly received and considered.
Our committees have decided that
they will not be able to vary from
their pre-arranged program of timer
acy for September.
We as yet have made no arrange
ment for the periad subsequent to
that date, which would interfere with
his meeting Mr.. McCleary in debate,
as may be agreed upon with the COM
mittees in which case we will give
due notice that no conflicting ar
engagements should be made.
There are several speakers who are
expected to do work in this district
under direction of the State Central
Committee, whose, itineracy for Sep
TENDER has not yet been arranged, as
we are informed, and we would be
glad to make arrangements, if it
would be any accommodation to your
committee, that either one of them
whom we might secure dates for
might conduct series of debates, up
on conditions and places to be arrang-
ed with Mr.. McClearY.
Prof. Cation. Hon. L. G. Long, and
possibly Hon. John Lind, might be
placed under such arrangements if we
are advised that it would be satisfac-
tory. If an arrangement is to be
made for any of these parties it will
be necessary that it will be consum-
mated soon, otherwise their itineracy
may be so arranged that we may be
unable to secure them, at such times
and places as would suit your conven-
fence.
Dated Aug. 18th, 1896.
Yours truly,
BYRON HUGHES,