The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-20
GEORGIA SENAT0RSHlP.
sECRETiRY SMITH WIsHEs To
STUMP STATE UTTH MR. CRISP.
The Letter Asks IL aIr. Smith VIII he a
Candidate, but IS Not Answered.
Dlrectiy-The Agreement


WASHINGTON. March l9.-The follow
Ing correspondents was made public to-
night:
department Of the Interior,
washington. March Il, 1896.
"lIy Dear sir,-It is my purpose TO spend
a portion Of the next two months III
Georgia, speaking upon the financial ques-
ton. 1 see from the papers that You
also will be IN the State speaking upon the
financial question, during the same period.
1 desire 10 extend to you an Invitation to
each appointment which | make, where
viii cheerfuIy divide time with you. Per
NIT me also 10 suggest that. II agreeable
To YOU. / shall be pleased 10 80 arrange
my engagcmeuts as 20 make them con-
form 90 yours. and thereby give an op-
porfunity for joint discussion as often
as possible
"Whh assurances Of my regard,
"HOKE SMITH.
ITO Hon. Charles J.. Crisp.
House of Representative
blouse of Representatives, United States,
IS HE \ CANDIDATE?
Washington March Is 1896.
'Aly Dear Mr. Smith,-Your note. an
nouncing your purpose OF speaking in
Georgia on the financial question during
a portion of the next two months, inviting
me to be present at each of your APP
pointments and expressing willingness TO
attend mine in order that We may have
..HH. IIH .lI|
was handed me- last evening.
You are doubtless aware that / have
announced myself candidate for the Sen
aie for the term beginning the an OF
March next
My purpose has been and sull Is to
make as thorough q canvass Of the State
as engagements here viii permit, and 10
invite other aspirants 10 the Office TO
meet and discuss with me ia a friendly
way pending political issues.
Permit me 10 ask as preliminary 20
any further correspondence looking TO a
Joint discussion between as whether you
desire 10 be regarded as candidate for
the Office OF senator.
II do not mean 10 imply that In any
event I shall decline your proposition,
but YOU will readily sec that before enter
ing into final arrangements respecting the
! should be advised AS TO the attitude in
which you will appear in the discussion.
with assurances Of my regard,
Il am, sincerely yours.
CHARLES +. CRISP.
ITO the Hon. Hoke Smith,
interior Department"
MIR. SMITHS REPLY.
To-day Secretary Smith sent the fol-
lowing letter 10 Mr.. Crisp.
My Dear Sir.-Yours OF the 18th, re-
plying TO mine Of the 18th instant, has
been received.
In it you call attention 10 the fact
that you have announced your candidacy
FOR the Senate. and expressed willing
ness TO meet aspirants for that Office.
"You aack whether / desire 10 boz re-
gdrded az "a candidate for the senate,
but state that you do nor mean 10 inn
ply that. I'm any event you viii decline
ms proposition. but wish, before entering
into final arrangements. 10 be advised
of the attitude in which 7 viii appear in
the discussion.
"Aiv purpose is 10 Join you IN the i-
nancial discussion that 1 may contribute
all In my power 10 prevent the Demo
Gratis OF Ge0rgia from committing them
selves to the advocacy Of free. unlimited,
and independent coinage of silver az the
ratio OF lG To l. 10 is seven months
until the senatorial election VIII take
place in Georgia. am not now can'
d.date. and do not wish 10 become one.
~ shall speak I'm Augusta on the 5Ist
OF March and in Atlanta on the 2d OF
April Al both places L will be pleased
20 divide time with you
n viii make no more appointments
until 1 hear from YOU"
DIVISION OF TIME.
Nfr. Crisp replied as follows:
washington, March 10th.
"Afy Dear Smith: Your letter of this
date was handed me this morning In
q YOU announce your purpose 60 'join me
I'm financial discussion, that you may
contribute all IN your power 10 prevent
fbe Democrats OF Georgia from com
hitting themselves 70 the advocacy OF
the free. unlimited. and independent coin
age OF silver at the ratio of l6 TO j.
''You answer my direct question as to
whether you desire 10 be considered
candidate for the Senate by saying:
1T is seven months until the senatorial
election will take place in Georgia. am
not now a candidate, and do not wish 10
become one
you propose TO divide time with me. at
YOUR appointments at Augusta on 3lst of
March. and at Atlanta ON the ri or
April. and say you will make no further
appointments until you hear from me.
'It Is quite true that the senatorial cleo
tion I'm Georgia will not take place for
seven months. but II is also true that
under the arrangements for nomination,
made by those authorized 70 act, the
Democratic candidate for that Office can
and possibly will be practically determined
IN less than three months.
"Of course. you We'll understand that it
Is quite unusual for q candidate during his
canvass % engage In joint discussion with
any one other than an aspirant for the
position he seeks. The reason OF this rule
IS quite apparent. and you cannot be ig
norant OF IL. Again, a distinguished
Georgian. OF high character ana attain
ments. is now a candidate FOR the Office
OF United States senator. IL agreeable 10
him / hope 10 arrange for some friendly
Joint discussion between us, and courtesy
TO him demands that l should not devote
any considerable portion OF the next two
months 10 joint discussion with one, how
ever distinguished, who is a stranger to
the contest.
Nevertheless, ! cannot obtain my con-
sent 10 entiraly decline your courteous
offer. Protesting that this deEarture on
my part. from rule and precedent shall
not be drawn into precedent. / cheer
fully accept your invitation TO divide time
with you both at Augusta ard Atlanta
on such terms as may be agreed upon by