Evening star., 1905-10-23
Personal Letter Challenging
Latter to Debate
ON THEPOE AMENDMENT
HAS NO DESIRE FOR ANY SPEC
TABULAR PERFORMANCE.
Desires Only a Practical Analysis and
Discussion Of the Proposition
Submits Series Of Questions.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
BALTIMORE, Nd, October Ex-senator
Isador Rayner today sent personal letter
to Senator German challenging him TO
debate on the question of the Poe amend
ment The following is copy of the let
ter:
Hon. Arthur p. German, Dear Senator:
II take the liberty of proposing to you
Joint debate upon the constitutional amend
ment to be submitted to the people at the
ensuing election. If 1t is agreeable to you L
would ask you to meet me for that pur-
pose at Lyric Hall upon either Tuesday.
Wednesday or Friday evening of next week.
these nights being the only ones available
for the purpose.
There is nothing inappropriate about the
suggestion l make. as in quite number or
states-notably in Illinois, Virginia, Mlssis-
sippi and Arkansas-debates of this charac-
ter have taken place between their sena-
tors upon public issues of the day, and you
will recall the fact that years ago it was
customary to have great questions sub
mitted to the people in this way. 1 hope
that 1t is unnecessary for me to say that
this discussion, so far as l am concerned,
shall be conducted in decorus manner and
the argument confined to the issue before
the people. l would like to add that there
number of persons in this city who DO
not yet fully understand the purport of this
amendment in its far-reaching effect upon
their rights. and I earnestly believe that
discussion of this subject would tend to
their enlightenment.
In making this proposal l would ike II
distinctly understood that l have no desire
for any spectacular performance or politi-
cal display. THIS is a cold proposition we
are dealing with and we can take 1t up
n1y III i1a n
telligent audience that may in all proba-
bility greet us upon this occasion, and l
believe the public press will render fair
report of our respective arguments ana
that the people of the state will be inter-
ested and perhaps receive further instruc-
tion upon this contest that now confronts
them.
German May Open Debate.
In reference to the details of this meet
Ing 1 would make the further proposal
that if you desire to do 50 you may open
the debate; in this connection l would
suggest that inasmuch as John Prentss
Poe is almost universally accredited in this
community with framing this amendment
under your supervision, If you prefer 1t
both he and you may open the discussion,
giving me the permission to reply, ana
with the right to either of you to make
the closing argument. l am sure TINS
method of procedure will meet with your
approval. as you will have the opening and
the closing. and the duty will devolve upon
me to reply to the arguments Whlch you
may advance.
II have framed-a series of questions which
! inclose, and which, i think perhaps form
a proper outline for our discussion. If you
desire TO add TO them or modify them IN
any way / shall be glad to avail myself of
any corrections you may make. 1t is right
for me to add that as have extended this
invitation it is but proper that L should de-
fray the expenses of the meeting. which
will cheerfuly do. If you intend kindly
to reply to this letter could you let me
have your response today or tomorrow, as
otherwise l do not think it Will be possible
to obtain the hall for the purpose.
Il am, with great respect yours truly,
'1SADOR RAYNER."
The series of questions inclosed in the let
ter follows:
Series of Questions Submitted.
Il. Has the constitutional amendment
ever been fairly submitted for discussion to
the democratic party of Maryland or its
representatives?
2. Does the platform of the democratic
party of Maryland, upon which the present
administration was elected. pledge the party
to the support of this amendment?
3 Does the amendment vest in the rep-
isters the arbitrary power to dissranchise
large number of the white voters of the
state?
Il Is 1t not necessary for the registers to
execute the power vested In them under
THIS amendment fraudulently In order to
accomplish the purpose for which IT was
designed? "NS
% Does ii not place every foreign yotor
VINO was not entitled to vote on the fret
day OF January, 1859. and his descendants
nj the mercy of the registers and confer
upon the registers the right to either en-
franchise or disfranchise them?
D. is II possible claimed by the ad-
Nocates OF the measure, for a bipartisan
BOARD or registers as now constituted IN
select Tor explanation a clause of the CON
stltutlon for the negro that he cannot ex-
PAIN ana another clause for the foreigner
that he can explain, so as to disfra nrbisa
the one and enfranchise the other2
T. VIII II not be necessary To Drovida
In the future for partisan board of req
isters to fully effectuate the object Of this
amendment? @''''
IS Could not the political supremacy Of
the white race have been secured In this
state through amendment that con-
tained honest educational standard in
stead OF the vague and indefinite test pro-
posed by this measure?
y Does the amendment not make an ut
terry indefensible distinction between per-
sons who reach the age of twenty-one
years before 1897 and those who do not
reach that age until afterward?
10 VIII not the amendment il passed
result In placing I'm the hands of the man
ayers OF the dominant party the control of
the election machinery of the state and the
power to enfranchise or disfranchise any
one who does not come within the favored
class therein speciied?"
MSHJp STpTprA cr1ry---