The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-19
JOINT DEBATE IS OFF
Carter Refuses to Defend His
Alleged Silver Policy.
THE PARAMOUNT ISSUE
Gets the Cold Shoulder From the Senior
ssnator-Chsirman Cockrin Regrets
Carter win Not Defend His
Unique Position.


in joint debate with Governor Smith
the alleged silver policy he has champ
Toned in his speeches during the present
campaign. Consequently the arrange
ments which were considered nearly
complete are all or. for the present. at
least. The correspondence follows:
Hon. W. NJ. Cockriil. Chairman Dem
ocratic State Committee. Butte, Mont.
Dear Sir: I have the honor to ac-
knowledge receipt of yours Of the 18th
inst. and regret that o nave not seen
proper to accept the conditions OF the
proposition for a joint discussion be-
teween Senator Carter and Governor
Smith.
While we agree and believe with you
that the silver issue Is of great concern
particularly to the residents Of the sill
ver-producing sections, we must beg TO
differ with o in the statement that
lit IL the only xue in Montana" Prob
ably 1t Is he only issue upon which
the democratic party Is willing to 60
before the people.
We believe and assert there are 9TH
err issues of vital Importance to a vast
number of people Of this state which
would be subjects OF legislation should
the democratic party ever again be for
tunate enough to obtain control OF the
government
We to meet you in Joint de-
bate to discuss. not one. but all the sub
jects that concern the welfare n pros
perity OF the entire people Of this state.
When you suggest a joint discussion
and refuse to permit one OF your most
able and distinguished orators to dis
cuss more han a single issue of the
campaign, 1t is a confession Of the
- Ar.r and tho Main
people OF this commonwealth are justi-
fed in believing your party bigoted and
narrow-minded and unworthy of being
entrusted with the affairs OF govern
ment.
Should this proposition to discuss all
issues of the campaign upon the terms
mentioned in my letter of the 18th inst.
not meet with your approval. this Will
terminate my correspondence on the
subject n l will arrange meetings at
once for Senator Carter. where he will
be at liberty to DISCUSS. not only the
silver, but all other7questions Of polit-
zeal Importance affecting the people OF
all sections Of the state. Yours very tru-
ly. j. p. WOOLMAN.
Chairman Republican State Committee.
Helena, Mont, Oct. is, 1898.
Hon. ]. p. woolman, Chairman Of the
Republican State Committee. Helena,
Mont:
In reply to your communication OF
this late: 1t will be a disappointment
to the committee OF which ] have the
honor to be chairman, to the party
which that committee represents and to
many citizens of Montana to learn that,
in Joint debate. Mr.. Carter refuses to
5.f,n1 tha nnlinx- p.,rctrad tOUard all
yer by the administration of which he
is the spokesman in Montana. In cam
paign speeches Mr.. Carter has recently
been heard to remark that the repub-
lican party and its administration is
friendly to the efforts to restore silver
to its place in the currency. That We
firmly deny, and. as chairman. I pro-
posed a silver debate which would have
given to Mr.. Carter an opportunity to
test the truth Of our denial, in the hear
ing of audiences made up of Montana
voters.
1 have read with interest the para
graph in your communication in which
you admit that the silver issue Is OF
great concern. particularly to the resi-
dents OF the silver-producing sections"
THAI Is true. We are residents of that
section, and IL you will kindly turn TO
the platform adopted by the Montana
republican convention recently held in
the city OF Helena, i feel very sure of
your entire agreement with myself in
the assertion that silver is the para
mount issue in the United States and
that, essentially and in fact. it is the
only issue with which the people In our
part OF the silver-producing section"
are seriously dealing this al
Permit me to remind you that, in his
recent assertion of administration-re-
publican friendliness for silver. before
Montana audiences. Mr.. Carter say
that which the secretary Of the treas
ury, Mr.. Gage. bellies. that which the
national republican chairman. Mr..
Hanna, denounces: that which every
individual in the Mckinley administra-
tion circles resents. You will doubt
less have noticed that there IL not an
administration republican Of promi-
nence in public life In the United States
who sustains Mr.. Carriers assertion.
and that. without exception. the state
republican platforms Of the year firmly
assert the opposite Of Mr.. Carriers
! claims and demand, without reserva-
ton. the single gold standard.
Under these circumstances. Mr.. Car
ter's attitude il unique, n doubtless
It would have entertained Montana au-
diences-and possibly have been Of
profit to them-to listen to the unfold
ing of The views which. In direct con-
nict with universal republican testi-
mony. Mr.. Carter declares to be repub-
lican. As chairman of the state COM
mittee. I had requested Governor Smith
to defend. in joint debate. the demo-
cratic proposition that II il the duty
| of the governmen Of h United States.