The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-10
WARD CHALLENGES
 MAYOR ID DEBATE
Drennen Receives Letter But
 Not Ready to Reply
FULL TEXT OF CHALLENGE
Maycralty Contest Waxing Warm and It Will Probably Wax Warmer. Ward Eager to Meet Dren-
 nen on the Stump.

George B. Ward, candidate for mayor, has challenged Mayor Drennen. csndi date for reelection to a joint debate in each of the wards of the city. Mayor Drennen has not yet replied, as he re eelged the communication about Il o'clock last night He said, however, that he had received it, but would not answer II until some time today. We would give no in- timation as to whether or not he would appear in joint discGssion touching the issues involved in the present campaign
 The challenge of Mir Ward was sent from his headquarters and delivered to Mayor Drennen as he was about to leave the apartments he ia occupying as head quarters until the primary.
 The Challenge.
 The challenge of MT. Ward is as follows
 sIIon " Melville Drennen: As the peo- pie of Birmingham have a right to be fully informed as to the issues involved in this campaign, and the views of can didates for the office of mayor. l here with challenge you to joint discussion in each wa.d of the city
 T request your immediate acceptance, the time and expense to be equally divid- ed and the other details to be arranged by our respective committees. Respectfully yours GEORGE R. ARD.
 If joint discussions between the two candidates for the mayoralty take place it will be the first time in many years that the candidates for municipal offices have gone before the people in debate on issues of the campaign. It is safe to say in addition to being a novelty. such dis eussons would tend to create great deal of interest in the race.
 In the event Mayor Dronnen picks up the gauntlet thrown at his feet by his opponent for the office he now holds, sev- eral days will be required to arrange the details of their meetings.
 The stump, time honored because of it's place In history from the t. when the woedsmans ax was heard abroad in the land and the pioneers, soon after being freed from the British yoke, made he air vibrate with the sounds of their voices when involved in campaigns for political offices. still retains it's prestige and influence. The voter likes to listen to campaign oratory, to see the candidates vie in speech and spar for points.
 Hot Contest.
 The challenge of Mr. Ward is another evidence that things arc warming up po- litieally in Birmingham, and the present aspect presages hot contest
 At the headquarters of both of the mayoralty candidates yesterday every body was busy.
 C. s. Simmons, campaign manager for Mayor Drennen. said things were all right. John C. Pugh, MT. Wards cam paign manager, said the same about his work Each seems confident, each is working hard untiringly from morning until night
 The signs of the times would in- dicate that the political thermometer will register even higher temperature before the primary on March ?.
 J. T. Lynagh withdrew yesterday from the race as candidate for alderman from the Fifth ward, In withdrawing he said that his business would not allow him to devote the necessary time to the cam paign. He said, "l want to thank my Friends for what they have done for me and the courtesies extended. I am grateful, and the prospects for my elec- tion were good.'
 Mr. Lynagh made an excellent alder man in times past.