The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-29
REPLY TO MIR. DRUMMER.
Plan for a General Joint Debate Is
FrowEleCI Upon.

The officers at Democratic state
headquarters have made public s5eir
reply to the Republican proposition
that a series of joint debates between
all the candidates on the state ticket
be arranged instead OF the debate be-
tween Overmyer and Jackson, which
the Democrats proposed. The reply
follows:
mr. Clyde Miller, Secretary Repub-
ncan Central Committee. Topeka.
your letter given to the papers IN
advance of its receipt by this office, has
been duly noted. We regret sincerely
that you do not consider favorably the
proposition for joint debate between
David Oyermyer and F. S Jackson.
the nominees for attorney general of
the Democratic and Republican par
ties respectively, which was made
without the knowledge of Mr.. Over
myer and for which he was in no wise
responsible.
eve know that you and your or
ganization do not regard this Office as
important, but we desire to say that we
regard it as of the highest rank. The
attorney general of the state. is the
general law officer of the state and ad-
wiser of the administration necessarily
upon many important questions. More
over. the principal enforcement of
many important laws depends entirely
upon his skill learning and ability. It
would by no means be unworthy of the
interest of the public if the respective
candidates for this high office could
have had an opportunity to give their
views upon the enforcement of law,
not only one law, but of all laws, which
is certainly of supreme interest at pres
ent to the people of the state. It may
be true, as you say, that the attorney
general will have little or nothing TO
do officially, with proposed legislation,
but in the making effective of legisla-
ton, already enacted, he is of supreme
Importance. Hence, we consider that
our position is fully justified in the
suggestion made you and which you
decline.
You suggest a series of joint de-
bates between E. W. Hoch of Kansas
and Col. W. A. Harris of Chicago. his
opponent on the Democratic ticket.
When you are prepared to frame
proposition In regard to this without
injecting into it silly campaign lie,
which in this connection is imperti-
nent we will be glad to give it every
possible consideration. In your closing
paragraph you state that you make
this suggestion mindful of the fact
that this Is not a campaign in which
principles are at stake You are IN
doubtedly correct so far as your plat
form and your organization are con-
cerned. The people of the state fully
realize this, and your candidates are
being forced by public opinion to give
more or less perfunctory adhesion to
and set forth in our platform and in
the letter of acceptance of our cand3-
date for governor.
We took the ground at our conven-
ton that this was to be a campaign in
which principles are at stake, and We
are more than satisfied that we have
led the way in the enunciation of
principles which, however, you may
have neglected them, are being de-
manded by the people of the state, re-
CARELESS of party. We are proud that
the Democratic party is maintaining
its traditions as the party of the peo-
pie in the advocacy of those things
which are essential to their welfare.
What you say as to a joint discussion
between all the candidates upon each
ticket could not have been intended
seriously. for such an arrangement. as
you we'll know, would be hopeless Of
accomplishing however much we
might desire such a contest.
VERY respectfully,
''W. H. L. PEPPERELL,
Secretary.
81 W. MORPHY.
chairman Speakers Bureau