Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-09-16
Congressman Jones Ready 10 De-
baIs With Opponent Al Any Time.
CHALLENGE LATE II ARRIVING
Although Letter Was Dated Sept. 4
Mr.. Jones Was On His Way to
Gloucester When il Was Mailed TWO
Days Later.

Discussing the challenge from MIR.
George Nelms Mise. the Repul'lcah
nominee for Congress in this district
for Joint Dc bat" TO be held through
ont the district, Congressman w. A.
Jones said that he would b. only too
glad TO meet MIR. Wise at any Tune ana
lplace. He said that Mr.. Wise's let
ter containing the cnal!enS'. dated
September 4 and published in the
Daily Press on September 8, was no'
mailed here until the afternoon OF
September &. and did not reach MS
home. Warsaw Va. until the night OF
Syutember Z In the mean.l line, Mr..
Jones had gone 10 Gloucester court
House to speak ana finding Mr.. WISE
there and icing informed by Coz,
Marvus Jones of the appearance III
the challenge in the Press. he arranG-
cd for the debate which took place on
that date.
Upon returning home. Mr.. Jones
found another letter from Mr.. Wise.
Gated September s. and reao!ng "a
follows:
|"Honorable W. A. Jones,
WARSAW, Va.
|"Nv Dear Mr. Jones'
Il shOnld be glad if You would name
such places and times as you nave
made arrangements to speak: espec-
| tally thos" at which ynu would be VIII
ling to have a joint debate. tax
lit that our agreement to reverse the
| u.il 10 carried
lOut.
yours very truly,
GEO. n. WISE"
Mr.. Jones' Reply.
In his first letter Mr.. Wise had con-
ditioned his challenge upon an agree
ment by Mr.. Jones to meet him in
every county in the district. and had
lexprts sed the hope ,1at Mr.. Jones
would not resort to the old excuse
for declining this challenge: that you
| DO not care to furnish the Republi'
can candidate with an audience
In reply to both of these letters
Mr.. Jones wrote the following:
Warsaw. Va. Sept. II. 1908.
George n. Wise. Esq.
| "My dear Mr.. Wise:
| Il have your letter of the Sth in
slant, which was rot mailed until
the following day. and l am also in
receipt of that dated September the
4th hut post marked Sent. 6. p
m which I only received upon my
return from Gloucester county when
/! had the pleasure of meeting you
on Monday last. the 18th instant.
am informed that this letter. which
| is challenge to meet YOU in joint
! debate in each of the counties OF the
district. appeared in tho Press.
newspaper published in Newport
News on the morning Of the 9th In
slant.
! Having discussed with YOU in per
son at Gloucester Courthouse the sub
iect of that letter, did not deem
lraply in writing necessary. | note
THAT YOU now ask me 10 name the
times and places at which I nave
made appointments TO speak: espc
cially those at which would be Will
ling to have a joint debate. ] have -
auested State Chairman Eilyson tt
max, appointments for me at East
vile on the 14th. Mathews the 2ls'
and Midilesex. the 29th instants
which 7 presume will be done. and
am invited to address Democratic
Glib meeting in Newport News OF
TUESDAY morning next. I shall prop
ably speak at other places during th<
month. hut these are all the appoint
monts I now have in mind for Sep
itsmbnr. shall he pleased to hav'
Won meet me in. debate in either. o'
all. of the counties 7 have named. tn
times to be arranged. as was agree
upop between us at Gloucester. wneI
We have our next discussion. OK
pect. Of course. to make a number o
speeches in October and one or mor'
i'm November. and I will add that a
anv time when conditions will per
nit shall welcome the oppoTtunit,
to enter into joint discussion WHY
YOU. but. for reasons which must b'
otvicIs TO you. 7 am not willing a
this time to tie my hands with hare
and fast program.
In this campaign. as has been 'h'
case liz some in the past. IL may ~
that il will I've incumbent upon me u
meet in debate Republican speakers
importcd into the district. and fo'
his and other reasons. I shan reserve
10 myself the right to exercise soma
Freedom Of action In regard 10 m,
canvass.
Permit me- now in this connection
to call your attention to the fact thai
vour challenge (which was dated. a.
| have said. en- the 9Th Of this month
,s