The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-09-05
He Sent q Challenge to His Rival
Republican Candidate,
BUT 1T WAS NOT ACCEPTED
The Crowd Large and Enthusiastic. and
Disappointed at Being Cheated Out
sr Joint Debate-Registration
Complete at Independence
Especial Dispatch to The Times


INDEPENDENCE, VA, Sept. 4-Hon.
Claude A. Swanson spoke here to-day at
II O'Clock In the Academy TO large and
enthusiastic audience. Hon. Beverly
Davis. Republican candidate for Congress,
spoke on the court green. The people
were anxious for joint discussion. but
were disappointed.
Mr.. Swanson. through the Democratic
chairman of Grayson county. J. S.
Bourne. sent challenge TO Mr.. Davis,
which was submitted through II. l..
PhIpps Republican chairman for the
county The terms offered by Mr.. Swan
son were as follows: One hour and ten
minutes to the first speaker. one hour
end thirty minutes to the second speaker
end t~enty minutes conclusion to the
drst speaker giving Davis choice as to
what speaker he wished to be. Mr.. Davis
promptly refused to discuss the issues OF
The campaign with Mr.. Swanson on these
Or any other terms.
IN FINE TRIM.
Mr. Swanson was in fine speaking trim,
end held his audience spell-bound for
more than two hours. He told how he
had challenged Davis for joint discus
sion at other places, and how Davis had
always refused. He exposed his record
in the Constitutional Convention; told
how Davis had refused to vote for
railroad commission because he then had
q suit pending against railroad com
pnny for damages in railroad accident
He virtually failed Davis alive. He then
discussed national politics. pointed to his
own record In Congress and challenged
Davis or any other Republican to find
where he had ever favored a measure
against the interest OF the people. He
predicted that the Democrats would con-
troll the next Congress. He closed with an
eloquent peroration. Mr.. Swanson was
Hherany applauded throughout his speech.
The speech is considered as the greatest
ever delivered by Mr.. Swanson in Gray
son county, and will doubtless bear much
Democratic fruit in the November cleo
ton. Mr.. Swanson left "Wednesday morn
ing via Fries for Chatham.
A PROFITLESS AUDIENCE.
The speech Of Mr.. Davis lasted about
two hours. There was nobody to intro
duce him and he introduced himself. The
Republicans being disguised with him
on account Of his repeated re!rsals TO
discuss the political issues with Mr.. Swan
son. and paid very little attention to him,
and those that did We're more Disguised
than thos. were before they heard aim.
His 8 diem Which, was not large in
.hc BEGINNING, :-airG.ed SO that sAen he
closed II ,raS canposeG chiefly of few
negroes .s..,s E1i failed TO register before
the Board of Registrars and who were
naturally. with Nr Davis, Very much
opposed 10 the new Constitution.
1t is thought here that Mr. swanson
will defeat Mr.. Davis worse than he has
heretofore defeated anybody in the dis
trict Mr. Davis left Tuesday evening
for his home in Franklin.
THE REGISTRATION.
The Board of ReGistration have COM
pieted their work a; Independence Pre-
cinct All white men who applied were
registered except two who failed TO come
up to the requirements. Only eight ne
groes out of sixty-one We're registered.
The board is now in session at Knob
. Fork Precinct