Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-03-13
FLEMING AND
+. HARDWICK
WRITING
BUT NO JOINT DEBATE WILL &C.
CUR BETWEEN THEM IN
THE TENTH DIS
TRICT.


TENNILLE, Ga, March 12-The Ten
mile News tomorrow will say:
There will be no joint debate before the
voters of the Tenth congressional district
between Congressman William II. Fleming
and Hon. T. w. Hardwick, as the former
has declined to enter into such cam
paign. Following are the letters which
passed between the gentlemen:
From Sandersville, on January %, Mr..
Hardwick sent Mr.. Fleming the follow
ing letter:
''Since the publication of your announce
ment in last Sundays daily papers 1t is
apparent that there are irreconcilable diff
fercnces between US on the public ques-
lions involved in the approaching congress
sional campaign in this district, and as l
am ready to defend the positions I have
assumed, hereby invite you to a joint
discussion of these, as well as all other
issues involved IN the campaign, before
the people in the district
You can hardly be surprised at the
course 1 now adopt, in view of the fact
that you not only have taken sharp issue
with the principles in which most frank
ly believe, but have also taken occasion
to criticise my record as a member Of the
general assembly.
Il am aware that your acceptation of
this invitation will, necessaI- Iy, be condi-
toned on such arrangement of the time
of the joint discussion 1 have proposed as
will least conflict with your duties in
Washington, and assure you that
have no desire to either seek or take ad-
vantage of your absence from the district,
but prefer that we should begin to ad-
dress the people at the same time and to-
gether. To that end shall make my ar
rangements conform, as nearly as posi-
BILE, to your public engagements, and sug-
gest that If you are willing to join in the
nT0nOER0 discussion IF
your friends who can confer with an equal
number of mine (as for that matter, one
friend on each side would be acceptable
to mel and together they WILL no doubt,
be able to arrange all the details in
manner satisfactory to us both. Awaiting
your answer, and assuring you of my per-
sonal esteem, am, very respectfully,
"T. w. HARDwICK."
Mr.. Fleming sent the following reply,
dated Washington, d. c., Jan. 26:
Yours of the 2Sd instant duly received.
inviting me to joint discussion in the cam
paigh for congress.
my personal inclination would be to
accept, promptly, any suggestion of this
nature from political opponent, but my
duties here are demanding my time and
attention; nor can l now foretell with
any degree of accuracy the date when
congress will adjourn nor the time when
l may, with propriety, absent myself nor
OOes either OF us KNOW Wnen our primary
election will be held.
so that my final decision to accent or
decline your invitation must depend on
future conditions which are not now OBJ
tainable by me. Thanking you for the
courtesy of your invitation, remain,
yours truly. e'
civilian H. FLEMING
On January 81, dated Sandersville. Ca.
Mr.. Hardwick sent the following letter to
Mr.. Fleming:
Yours of the 18th instant duly received.
AS I wrote you, under date of the 23d
instant, l am fully aware that your ac-
ceptance of my invitation for joint dis
cussion will, necessarily, be conditioned
on the very matters mentioned by your
self, and I desire to repeat the statement
made in my letter of the 23d, to the effect
that / will make every reasonable con-
cession in this matter, and will make my
arrangements to conform, as nearly as
possible, to your public engagements at
Washington. Inferring from your letter
that you are willing to join in the discus
sion. II duties will permit you to return
to the district for the purpose of making
a canvass, anxiously await more def
mite answer so that all details may be
arranged as early as practicable.
'T. w. HARDWICK."
Again, on February 2S, dated from
Sandersville. Ca, Mr.. Hardwick sent the
following letter to Mr.. Fleming:
Not having received. as yet, any def
mite reply to my letter Of January %. or
of January 81, I am writing to say that
/ have made an appointment to speak at
Thomson, Ca, or the 18th day Of March
next, and, I'm addition to that, 1 expect
to address the people on the issues involv-
ed in the contest between US, at Appling
Ca. during the next term of Columbia
superior court which meets on the fourth
Monday in March next.
"At Irwinton, during the approaching
term of Wilkinson superior court, which
meets on the first Monday in April next.
AT Warrenton, during the approaching
term of Warren court, which meets on
the first Monday In April
at Lincolnton, during the next term
of Lincoln court, which meets on the first
Monday in April.
AT Louisville. during the next term of
Jefferson superior court, which convenes
on the second Monday in May
I'm addition to the above appointments.
I expect to address the people of Hancock
and Glascock counties at such times dur
ing the campaign as l may hereafter de-
termine upon, of which appointments 1
will give you further and more definite
notice.
Il hope you can arrange to be present
at each of these appointments and to dis
cuss, with me, the questions at issue be-
tween us. If so, as l nave written you
before. 1 will gladly consent to any fair
and reasonable terms as to division of
time between US. If you find 1t impossible
to meet me at the times and places have
suggested, will willingly cancel every en-
gagement that I have already made and
will refrain from making other engage
ments TO address the people, provided you
are willing to join me in discussing the Is
sues before the people, and will definitely,
consent TO do so at some time in the near
future, or at any time in the future which
renders ii possible for US to canvass the
district together before the campaign is