Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1899-10-18
LET Them ANSWER.
Democrats Invited to Consider
Republican Arguments.

mittee wrote Chairman Weaver of the
Republican committee asking a joint
meeting of the two committees for the
purpose of arranging for series of
joint debates between the speakers
who are in the field for the two par
ties. He suggested that these discus
sions be participated in by Governor
Shaw and Fred. White, Senator ALI
son and General Weaver, Senator Gear
and Cato Sells, and added that the
Democratic committee would furnish
speakers to discuss with all the mem
bers of the Iowa congressional delega-
ton.
The object Of this proposition on the
part of Chairman Huffman is patent
to all who have noticed the small at
tendance at the meetings held by the
Democrats thus far. 1t is an undis-
puted fact that Fred. White has had
discouragingly small audiences since
he opened his campaign. The opening
meeting at Davenport was attended by
less than one-half the number who lis
tened to Governor Shaw at the same
place a few evenings later. At Wav-
erly Mr.. Whites audience, by actual
count, including Republicans who went
out of curiosity, consisted of exactly
fifty-eight persons. At Des Moines a
largely advertised Democratic speech
was attended by only thirty-seven peO-
pie, including the band, and had to be
declared off. Cato Sells has had to
abandon a number of widely advef-
tised dates because of lack of audi
ences and the committee has begun to
realize that something must be done
to awaken an interest in their meet
ings or they might as well call their
speakers in. For this reason Chair
man Weaver saw through the plan
and Immediately sent the Democratic
committee the following answer:
''Oct. IL, 1899.
"Hon George A. Huffman, Chairman
Democratic State Central Committee,
Des Moines, Ia.-My Dear Sir: Your
communication with reference to a
joint meeting of committees received.
In reply allow me to say that full
discussion of the issues Of the present
campaign has already been arranged
for by this committee, not only in
Crawford county, but other parts of
the state. The dates for our speakers
have already been fixed and all their
time is taken in this and other states
Your ambitious orators and opponents
may find it convenient to spend some
time in answering some of the issues
already announced by our fellows. To
arrange for joint debates at this time
is out Of the question. Yours very
truly, II. o. WEAVER,
Chairman"
The delicate irony of Chairman
! Viewers suggestion that some Demo.
cratic, ambitious orators and ex-
p0nents" might find it convenient to
spend some time in answering some
of the issues already announced by
the Republicans will be appreciated by
all, for it is noticeable fact that the
Democratic orators have not dared to
meet the issues they themselves pro-
posed when in their state platform
they Endorsed the Chicago platform of
1896 Gin whole and in detail"
WHAT does the voter think who one
year hears man make speech tell
ing him that the tariff is the ali
absorbing issue of the country and
that the destruction of protection is
the only hope of permanent prosperity;
the next year he hears the same man
tell him soberly that the tariff is a
minor issue and that the destruction OF
system of 100 cents dollars and the
adoption of free silver is the only hope
of permanent prosperity, and the next
year the same orator tells him that
trusts are tie greatest evil of age, and
that while free silver is still an issue,
in order to have any permanent pros
perity, it is necessary to accomplish the
destruction of these trust monsters?