The Forrest City times., 1905-06-30
Senator Berry's Ultimatum.

public his reply to the last letter of Gov. JefY Davis on the subject of the opening of the senatorial campaign. If is in the nature of an ultimatum. He opens by saying that he considers the language used by the governor as very impolite, and considered by most people insulting" However, he declares that he is unwilling to at. tempt competition with him lin the use of insulting, improper and dis agreeable words. He reSents the governor having applied the term sub terfuge" to his first letter, and says there are various other statements mot in accord with the facts" He reiterates his former position that he will engage in no joint canvass unless dates and places are mutually agreed upon, and says that July { is too early anyway to open the campaign. The people are tired of the constant poli- tical turmoil and want rest. He de- clines to answer the questions pro- pounded by the governor in regard to lis position on the blanket" primary plan, since the questions carry with them an imputation on his faith and confidence in the people.
 His letter to Gov. Davis is as follows:
 BENTONvILLE, ARK, June 20, 1905. Gov. Jefi Davis, Little Rock, Ark:
 Dear Sir-I have received your letter of the l7th, in which you say, among other things, that you considered my letter of the l1th ''subterfuge and dodge" Your language Is very impo- lite, and considered by most people as insulting. But will not follow your example in this regards. am not will ing to undertake to complete with you in the use of insulting, improper, or diSagreeable words. No man can en- gage in contest of that kind without great loss of self-respect. You are the first man who ever used the word sub terfuge in connection with my name, and am certain that there is othing in my past life or in my letter to you to justify 1t.
 There are other statements in your letter not in accord with the facts, but all of them, except one, relate to your excuse for not conferring with me, as you said you would, before you announced the opening of the canvass. do not regard them as important, and do not think the public especially interested fin them, and l will pass them by.
 There was no necessity for you to again invite me to meet you at Con- way. I had said in a public letter, over my own signature, that l would not engage in joint canvass, either at Conway or elsewhere, until we had agreed upon the times, places and manner of conducting the canvass, and, having said this, will, as 2 matter of course, keep my word. But outside of this, and in order that this letter may be the end of the correspondence upon my part, will say here that l will not agree to enter into joint canvass at any place as early as July 4. It seems to me that 1t would be inex- cuSable to begin joint debate at time when the people are most busy with their crops, and to continue for a period of nine months, when the primary will be held.
 For five years the people have been kept in constant excitement and tur- moil by candidates going from place to place in 2 purely personal canvass, and some of them using the most abus- sive, vituperative and insulting Ian guage that is possible to conceive. All this has resulted in stirring up friend against friend and neighbor against neighbor, and has been 9 very great Injury to the good name of the State and most damaging to the Democratic party. think the people are tired of It, and they are entitled tOa rest for at least some months to come.
 l shall, at the proper time, and in my own way, make known my views iully and frankly upon public q uestions Tn which the people are interested. I nave lived in Arkansas nearly all my He and have been in public service TOT many years. have always beliey- Cd ln the people and trusted them.
 My life has been devoted to the Dem- ocratlc party, and 1 still have unlimit- ea faith in the people and the party, ana never hesitated and never will hesitate to make known my position upon all public questions fully. But l VIII not answer questions put by you of anyone else when the questions eafry with them an imputation upon my faith and confidence in the people ana upon my loyalty to the Democratic pArty. You are nOt ant horizpd Tn eat p.