New-York tribune., 1901-10-24
SHEPARD CHALLENGED TO DEBATE
WILLIAM HEPBURN RUSSELL SENDS HIM
LETTER DECLARING THE TAMMANY
CANDIDATE STANDS FOR Gro
KERIsM." NOT DEMOCRACY.

William Hepburn Russell, the chairman OF the
executive committee of the Greater New-forh De-
mOcracy. yesterday sent challenge to EDWARD M
Shepard the Tammany candidate for Mayor, for a
joint debate. his letter Mr.. Russell says he un-
derstands that Mr.. Shepard is willing to engage In
a joint debate the issues Of the campaign. ana
that he makes the fundamental question one OF
Democratic party feRlty and organization regular
ity. Then he continues:
II this be true, then a Democrat who ia oppos-
Ing your candidacy, because regard you as stand
ing for "Crokerism" rather than Democracy, l in
vite you. at such time and place may suit your
convenience, to meet me in joint discussion OF the
First-That your candidacy is not candidacy In
bealf of the Democratic party of the city of New
York
second-That you are not. by reason of your
public political record, to be regarded as straight
Democrat in the sense of party regularity emitting
your candidacy to party fealty.
Third-Tha if elected you will not be able to CON
compelled by your own expressed ideas of party
obligation TO perpetuate the power or Iammahy
Hall under its present leadership.
Fourth-That it is not to the advantage OF either
the Democratic party of the State or nation that
er Of the Tammany Democratic organization. and,
therefore, that your election is not in the interest
new lease of power to Richard Croker. .a
Fifth-That, if elected, you will be so hanpered
in your administration by the country and borough
Tammany officers, who will in the event OF your
cannot make effective any reform ideas you may
entertain, but on the contrary. VIII be controled
and dominated by the Tammany Board of Estimate
Sixth-That. if elected your fate in dealing with
Murphy. Devery and the gambling combine VIII
be the that of Theodore RooseVelt' Wheil
as Governor of New-York he found himself unable
TO punish the canal thieves because the machine
which nominated and elected him was more power
full than even his honesty of purpose / deny that
what Roosevelt unable 20 do you Will be able
TO accomplish. . -. :
Seventh-That in this campaign it is the duty OF
Democrats to vote for Low and Grout ana Forhes
for Cantor and jerome, and 10 turn the rascals
out"
Upon these questions or any others that may De
formulated by mutual greement, stand readv at
any time to meet Won in Joint debate. and. IN or
der that you may have the fullest opportunity 10
vindicate your position, | am quite Wiling 10 con-
you the right TO open and the rlSht 10 close
the discussion.
As a Democrat who three times supported Cleve.
land for the Presidency. who twice supporteu
BRYAN. and one who has never voted for a hepuo-
iican or = Republican candidate ! feel that my
Democracy and my party record entite me to chal-
Ienee your Democracy and your party regularity IN
this campaign.
Mr. Russell says he speaks for thirty thousand
enrolled voters of the Greater New-York Democ-
racy and quotes utterances of Samuel J. Ilden
in favor of union against Tammany Hall. and says;
Nv motto. like that of Tilden in the historic
camnaiCn of thirty years ago. the conditions or
is, Turn the rasCalS out Yours seems 10 be:
that reform can only come through Tammany Han
under its present leadership. Are you Wiling to
frankly debate this issue with brother Democrat
before the impartial jury Of public opinion? II you
are kindly advise of the fact, and Will name
a representative to act with your representative
in arranging details.