The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1905-02-24
ASKS FOR A DEBATE.
Thomas w. Lawson Challenges Orators
Of Standard Oil to Meet Him
0penIS

Roston, Mass. Feb. -. Thomas w.
LAWSON has issued an open letter to
James Nj. Beck. formerly assistant at
torney general OF the United States and
now counsel and chief orator for he
Standard ON company and the 'sys-
tenn, " in which lie challenges MIR. Beck
and james n. Eckels, ms representative
pubiicists aud advocates for the "sys-
tenn" to meet him in q public debate
The letter follows:
Letter from Mr.. Lawson.
To James NJ. Heck. COUNSEL and
chief orator for the standard ON COM
pauy and the system: Last February
you came to Boston as counsel for
Henry III. Rogers. n on the evening
of the gas trial in the Massachusetts
supreme court. where MIR. Rogers and
7nyself We're 10 testify, you tried to
have me match up my testimony;
refused. shortly after 'FrenZied
Finance began. and you ~ James II.
Eckels. e~N-comptroller of the currency
of the United States. now representa-
tive of the system in the west. were
selected to slins mud at me at public
dinners and banquets; he in he west.
YOU in the east, You have both been
IfIdNSl L louSlN aN l. MIiSICNSi WV ni'S''
II was safe, that is. wherever you were
sure l could not answer you. and now
tonight. at the Dime OF the Boston
Life Underwriters association here In
my OWE city, you are again to unlimber
M mud guns.
A Show for a Charity.
The International League Press cluL
is endeavorins TO raise the remaining
$50. 900 fund for buildings and e%quipping q
g.. ;1,rN AlrSr
gan has agreed to furnish the last
So 1000 provided the fund is raised before
June 80. am asked to furnish
ST. 900. 1t is. as YOU know. a most wor-
thy cause. You and your bosses of the
Standard on 'Amalgamated City
Bank and big Three Insurance crowd
have never yet in your attacks upon
the public OF Individual members of the
public been known to come out in the
Open, but have always made your COW
ardly attacks when YOU was sure 1t
was safe.
Challenge to a Debate.
therefore. l make the following
ones: If YOU the recognized mouth
piece of the Standard OIL its lead
ing orator, and a man so thoroughly
velsed in public defamation as to
stand il the very front ranks of the
great public speakers of this country.
will meet me in F'aneuil hall, the cradle
of American liberty and free speech.
meet me. the lRyn.an, who has never
delivered a public address, and thee
debate the crimes and cowardly villainy
of Nout employers within ten days of
the assault you are to make upon me in
the house of your friends tonight. i
will pay over to the journalistic league
the sum of $4,000. and IL you decide
thai it is best we will raise a further
sum by charging an admission to the
hall. l think we could easily raise the
entire fund of $4,000 by such means.
And Mr.. EckeIs, Too.
IF YOU will bring along your talent
ed colleague from the west, Mr.. Eckels.
SO much the better. and if % wish,
Il will consent TO nave every ticket in
the hall sold to you friends and VIII
ask no odds but to reply to what you
will say. Now. Mr.. Beck, will YOU dare
to help his good cause, and, incident
ally. give the people one honest chance
TO learn the truth? You have made
onslaughts on me in public addresses
where 1 have had no opportunity to
answer. In you last address at Phila-
delphia o called me a 'Frenzied
Faki-.' 'Wild-Run-Amuck Malay In
spite of your wages from STANDARD Oil
! you surely will not prove yourself so
coWardly as to do this and not accept
my proposition.
II Will await your answer in the re-
ports which l will read tomorrow of
what you say in the house of youl
friends, the insurance people.
Feb. 21. 1905. Thos. w. Lawson