The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-10-26

BILL BALKS
AT A DEBATE
WITH NJ CURE
Two Hundred Horse Power
Engine Couldn't Drag Him
INTO JOINT DISCUSSION
CardweIl Trying to Go Out of
His Class.
INTO JOINT DISCUSSION

Alva, o. T., Oct 2-Thmis is one OF
the campaigns in Oklahoma in which the
Republican committee has not been
pressed <or joint debate between the
two congressional candidates. In fact, the
Republicans have ben very DESTROYS OF
having Mcclure debate with Cross, but
the Democratic nominee and his friends
have avoided every opportunity offered
TO them by the Republicans. In spite OF
the fact that he had a direct challenge
from MCGUIRE. the latter offering every
possible inducement to have joint de-
bate, Cross repeatedly refused 10 discuss
the issues with the Republican candidate.
stating that he would debate with no one
in this campaign. 1t was in Woods coun-
~ that the two men came toSether and
before an audience OF 1900 persons. the
majority Of whom were Democrats and
Populists- The attempt TO secure a joint
debate met with intense interest, and
there was desire on the part Of persons
affiliated with all parties TO have a de-
bate Members Of Cross own party went
to him, insisting that he meet Mcclure
in debate, but that gentleman positively
refused to participate in a debate. and
even grew angry with his friends because
they continued to insist that he make a
showing on that day.
A personal friend of Bill Cross, in talk
ing of the Democratic candidate and the
joint debate proposition. said: You don't
know Bill Cross very well evidently. or
you would not talk about Joint debate
for him. If you did know him. you would
fully appreciate the situation. / see
where Bill is wise in not accepting a
challenge from MCGUIRE to discuss the is
sues in this campaign" About the only
ecuse made by Cross managers is that
they do not desire TO draw crowds for
Mcclure, and for this reason viii not
have a joint debate In the matter OF
crowds, Mcclure has Cross bested, and If
there is anything in that proposition, 1t
would be TO Cross interest to meet the
Republican candidate. 1t Is practically
impossible TO get a Democrat 10 compare
the ability Of the two candidates. They
claim that 1T is not an ISSUE refusing
10 discuss the matter. This is unusual in
Oklahoma, for heretofore. there have
been energetic discussions concerning the
ability OF the two candidates to represent
the people OF Oklahoma in congress.
Attempts have ben made during the
campaign to have Mcclure debate with
Democratic orators. but this was more OF
a grand stand play than anything else
forsthe people of this territory know that
in a Joint discussion it should be candi-
date against candidate. and not Tom.
Dick or Harry against either the Repub-
lican candidate or the Democratic nomi-
nee. At one time, in Cado county, Nc
CURE and Judge T. p. Gore were billed
for the same place az the same hour.
MCGUIRE offered to divide time with Gore.
and the latter gentleman accepted. There
was not a large audience present. but in
this debate there was a varied difference
in the policy of the two speakers. Gore
talked g very short time on territorial
matters and then devoted the balance Of
his allotted time to a discussion OF ma
tional issues. Gore did dis,ess the state
hood question just enough to give Nc
CURE the privilege to answer what argu-
ment Gore had made for statehood with
the Indian Territory and TO enlarge upon
the idea Of immediate statehood for Okla
speech. he failed to answer McGuire's ar
gument and it was freely stated by per-
sons in the audience that the Democrats
failed to gain anything in the debate
When MCGUIRE was in Woods county
last week there were rumors Of a joint
debate. BIZ Cardwell, Of Weatherford
was billed for Aiva at the same hour that
McGure's meeting was advertised for.
The Democratic committee made some
talks about a joint debate with Mcclure
but the Republicans replied: Bring out
out your Mr. Cross, Mcclure viii debate
with him. from now On until election: At
any place or any time he may name.
This nonplussed the Democrats. especial
ly when men 81 Alya consented 10 meet
Cardwel. The Democratic committee did
not press the matter farther when Il
was ascertained that the Republicans had
men who were anxious to meet the man
from Weatherford. Cardwel in his
speech said: How ! Wis Mr.. Mcclure had
consented 10 meet me" One Democrat
who heard him make the statement said:
4 really wonder II Csrdwen thought FOR
a minute MCGUIRE would met him Cross
is the man TO debate with MCGUIRE. and
every thinking man knows that either
candidate can not afford 70 debate with
a man who has everything t6> gain and
nothing TO lose. While an a Democrat.
yet hive some Repuhlicaa friends "a
Ava who can make things Interesting Tor
CardWeIl az any jump fl the road
Cardweil preceded McGcire a. WOOD
ward. The Democrats there talked about
a joint debate with some Republican.
This talk was made On the streets. ard
OF course vas taken ID o. the Republi-
cans. The chairman of the local Demo
crate committee was approached By Pc
pubiicans who stated that thsy were AK
ious 10 arrange q soinr dehate between
Chaz. r Aiexander. q woodward. ard
Cardwen The Democratic chairman
evaded the propositiQa. finally saying, 7
% not believe soiat debate can ~ A.
ranged wa vii Ist card1sI talk zisns
Democrats are not anxio1s - discurs
the Joint debate matter. azd whs-sFtr
hey d. & e aruslag - note TIE varied I
excuses they ons- sor t1sir cz1li1ats- !
Jedglng from tha sg,.eches szads ~ fhe
two r-en 81 this earrpalsH- = r. ii1tie .
wonder that Crosz = afraid 70 fnest Sic Z
Gairs sna thss fact e not - al pleasing /
70 TIE nen who are sapro-rias tie Den /
ocratc nansnse-
Ore time zhue ri5saS IT trEln i1 {
western olsiahozaa. .leSgirs ard Cross I
were Sitting ia the saue seat tSlsanE ca 4
r~-ernl torsee Fsnalir 8sfsuire l1eoe e /
pr,r-sitfo-. "a, Cross - BEE 5o8ai Gfssfss +
r. ever ror-tr sat Sc fhe ssrT-sors. 4
cross frlrrsf d1zn tire F-oaes.t.os.. FHy- F
i-r tna. Re u-s<e-rrs - earrairn zicHe .