Connecticut western news., 1908-10-29
CLAREY AND CURTISS

and Clarey Answers the Letter. l. J. E. Clarey of Great Harrington wants to debate with Frank Curtiss of Sheffield and Curtiss don't want to. The men are opposing candidates for representative In answer to Clarey's challenge Curtiss says, among other things:
 "I do not agree with you that such an exhibition as you propose would afford an opportunity for the voters to judge of our fitness to represent them i'll the legislature.
 fought to be fairly we'll known in the district. My views and ideas are of a positive character and have been ire quently and publicly expressed.
 The matters of importance to the dis trict are so thoroughly understood by the voters that there is no occasion to discuss them by public debate.
 AS for debating in order to show our respective abilities as public speakers, l must decline. I have never made my livelihood along that line.
 It would be the height of egotism for me to go on the platform before the voters of the district and brag about my self. I never have done 1t and do not propose to. I decline to meet you in public debate, not through any timidity or a feeling of lack of ability, but do so as business proposition.
 There is no question of what I propose to try to do if elected. AS for my abil- ity to do in comparison with yourself, the voters must judge from the knowl- edge they now have of us.
 It is just the plain simple question: Are you the man to obtain what this district wants rather than I, or am better man than you to do the work?
 am confident enough, from what I have accomplished in life, to believe that am better equipped than you by experience, by knowledge of men and by knowing that men rely upon me. These qualifications secure results"
 In reply MT. Clarey said in part: "The debate, would afford you a chance to st- tack my record and give reasons why you, without acquaintance or experi- ence, would meet next winters re- quirements better than I. Was my rec ord. in your opinion, one of failure? If so, in what respect? Out with your reasons if you have any.
 These matters (of importance to the district) may be thoroughly under stood by the voters' but they are not thoroughly understood by you. I cite your letter of acceptance as evidence. of the present status of the much desired trolley legislation.
 What have you accomplished in life? This, MT. Curtiss, is a fair. question. much of it have you actually created? By what means have you accumulated? To what extent have you shared your good fortune as you have gone along with those who have toiled moro to create than to merely accumulate What civic service have you rendered and to what extent have you, for the publics good, denied yourself the oppor- tunity to accumulate? On this score I challenge you to put record against record. You gave $5,000 to the House of Mercy for Sheffield bed. That was generous act. You gave a like sum for public school in your town. That was also generous act. You pay taxes on realty assessment of about $l2, ,0O0 and on personal property assessment of about $23,0OO. If those assessments are proportionate to those of your neighbors, you're dealing justly with your town, and your gifts are to the good side of your public spirit ledger ac. count, and I honor you for making them. But, brother Curtiss, should they be exploited to the extent that they are being as reason why you should be sent to Boston? Will you ask your fellow voters of Sheffield to consider nothing in this contest except your qualification for the work awaiting the man who may be elected?
 ! In closing let me ask, who collaborated with you i'll the preparation of the above letter? This may be joke, but it has point to it."