The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-20
GEoRGIAS FIGHT OVER GOLD.
THE, LETTERS IN THE CRIsP-sMITH
CORRESPONDENCE.


Agreement TO Engage In six Joint
Debates with Additional Ones
Possible.
Washington, March 19.-As announced
in the Morning News of this date. Secre-
tary Hoke Smith and Congressman Crisp
have agreed to engage in a joint debate
in connection with the Georgia senator
ial contest. Late tonight both gentle
men agreed to divide time in a series OF
| eight speeches to be delivered during the
month of April.
The announcement that an arrange
ment had been concluded by which these
/ distinguished Georgians are TO meet in
| joint debate is regarded by the members
of the Georgia colony as an acknowledge
ment that Secretary Smith will make a
| fight for the Senate.
The correspondence between Mr.. Crisp
and Secretary Smith commenced two days
/ ago, as viii be seen by the following cor
respondence. Secretary Smith takes the
aggressive position and deftly parrys the
| inquiry as to his senatorial intentions by
stating that the election does not take
| place until seven months hence.
/ The contest between Mr.. Crisp and Sec
retary Smith promises to take on a ma
tional flavor and the joint debate between
these two political giants will be watched
| with the keenest interest.
Although the agreement is for but eight
meetings, Secretary Smith says he win
cheerfuily meet Mr. Crisp on the hustings
for thirty consecutive days If the latter
is willing.
Secretary Smith will attack the policy
/ OF tree ana Independent coinage at a ratio
/ of l6 to /, and defend his weil-known po-
sition on the financial position, which, in
substance, provides for a silver dollar
equal in value to a gold dollar
/ While the correspondence has been con-
Quoted IN good temper and with the best
intentions Of preserving friendly relations,
| there is general belief that it will be
/ difficult for the speakers to avoid per-
/ sonalities as the discussion advances. MIR
Crisp, has the advantage Of longer and
i a wider experience in public life and ar
/ fairs, added 10 the influence which goes
/ with his recognized leadership in the
| House of Representatives. Secretary
/ Smith may lack experience in public dis
| cussions but he is a bold and aggressive
antagonist besides, he has given consid-
cradle study to the financial question
/ and, above ALL he Is thoroughly practical
| in dealing with this great business prob
| lem.
The letters exchanged follow:
ton, d. G., March II. is9s.-Ny Dear Sir:
the next two months In Georgia, speak
| ing upon the financial question. / see
from the papers that you will also be
in the state speaking upon the financial
| question during the same period. 1 de-
| sire to extend to you an invitation to
each appointment which / make, where
| win cheerfuly divide time with you.
| Permit me also to suggest that, II agree
able to you, / shall be pleased to so
arrange my engagements as to make
| them conform to yours, and thereby give
an opportunity for a joint discussion as
| often as possible. With assurances Of
- Hoke Smith.
| Representatives.
House of Representatives, United
States, Washington, d. c., March IS, 1885,
| ing your purpose of speaking in Georgia
| on the financial question during por-
| ton of the next two months, inviting
me to be present at each OF your ap-
| pointments, and expressing a willingness
to attend mine in order that we may
have as often as possible joint discus
| sion, was handed me last evening.
| You are doubtless aware that have
| announced myself a candidate for the
Senate for the term beginning the 4th Of
March next. My purpose has been and
still Is to make as thorough canvass of the
state as engagements here will permit,
and to invite other aspirants to the office
| to meet and discuss with me in friend
| ly way, pending political issues.
| Permit me to ask as preliminary to any
| further correspondence looking TO joint
| discussion between us, whether you de-
sire to be regarded as a candidate for the
office of senator?
| I do not mean to imply that in any event
| / shall decline your proposition, but You
| will readily see that before entering into
! final arrangements respecting the matter,
it is only right and proper that l should
| will appear in the discussion. With as
surances of my regard, / am, sincerely
SPS5 10 the Hon. Hoke smith. Interior BE-
! partment.
To-day Secretary Smith sent the follow
Nv Dear sir-Yours Of the 18th replying
to mine Of the 18th inst, has been re-
| ceiyed.
In it you call attention to the fact that
| you have announced your candidacy for
the Senate and express willingness to
| meet aspirants for that Office.
You ask whether desire to be regarded
| as a candidate for the Senate, but state
| that you do not mean to imply, that in
/ any event. you will decline my proposition,
| but wish, before entering into final
| rangements, TO be advised Of the attitude
| in which will appear in the discussion.
My purpose is to join in the financial
| discussion that l may contribute all with
| in my power to prevent the democrats OF
! Georgia from committing themselves to
the advocacy of free, unlimited and inde-
| pendent coinage of silver at the ratio OF
II is seven months until the senatorial
| election will take place In Georgia. 1
| am not now a candidate, and do not
wish to become one. shall speak in
1 "A
| April q At both of these places 1 will
| be pleased to divide time with you.
| / will make no more appointments un-
/ til / hear from you.
Mr.. Crisp replied as follows:
Washington, D. G., March 10, 1896.--My
| Dear Mr.. Smith-Your letter of this date
was handed me this morning: In it you an
| nounce your purpose to ''Join me in finan-
! cial discussion that you may contribute
/ all within your power TO prevent the
| democrats of Georgia from committing
/ themselves to the advocacy of free, un-
| limited and independent coinage of silver
| at the ratio of 16 to l." You answer nv
/ direct inquiry as to whether you desire
to be considered a candidate for the SEN
| ate by saying: 1T is seven months un-
/ til the senatorial election will take place
! in Georgia. ] am not now candidate
and do not wish to become one" You
/ propose to divide time with me at your
/ appointments at Augusta on March 81
/ and at Atlanta on April 2, and say YOU
/ will make no further appointments until
you hear from me-
1t is true that the senatorial election in
/ Georgia will not take place for seven
months, but It is also true that under the
| arrangements for the nomination made by