The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1908-09-24
Will Not Meet Govern
or in Joint Debate.
FEARS SUCH DISCUSSION.
The Governors Second Letter to
Tillman requesting an Imme-
diate Reply Answered

Nashville, Tenn, Sept. 17.-Hon. Il.
N. Tillman, in letter addressed to
Governor Patterson this morning, de-
clines TO accede to the governors sug
gestions that they arrange, through
their respective campaign managere,
series of Joint discussions Nothaving
received reply from Mr.. Ti!lman, the
governor yesterday wrote a second let
ter asking for an answer at once. This
morning Mr.. Tillman's reply to the
governor was delivered to the latter by
Mr.. Harry A. Luck, secretary OF the
state republican executive committee.
The correspondence in full follows:
September 70, 1908. Hon, g. N.
Tillman, Nashville, Tenn. My Dear
Sir: In order that the issues between
us may be better understood by the
people, suggest that we arrange,
through our respective campaign man
ayers, a series Of joint discussions to
cover as much of the state as is pessi-
BILE.
"As l expect to arrange dates for
speeches very soon, an early answer
will be appreciated.
''Very respectfully,
"MAL0oLM r. PATTERSON.
Anxious for a reply, the governor
sent a second letter to Mr.. Tillman, as
follows;
September 16, 1908 Hon. G. N.
Tillman, Nashville, Tenn.-My Dear
Sir. hope you can give me an answer
at once to my note delivered to you
Saturday evening, as it will take some
time to arrange list of appointments,
and a response now will prevent un
necessary. .....
"You must pardon this insist0nce,
but my own plans can not be determin
ed upon until I receive your reply.
every respectfully,
MALCOLM r. PATTERSON.
September II, 1908. Hon. Malcolm
r. Patterson, Nashville, Tenn. M!
Dear Sir: Your letter of 10Th inst
suggesting that we have series o
Joint discussion in order that the is
sues between US may be better under
stood by the people has been received
"It is my opinion that the issues 'be
tween us are already we'll defined an
understood, and that joint campaig
by us, instead Of bringing about bel
ter understanding of said issues, woul
arouse party feeling, prejudice an
passion, and tend to prevent thoughtfU
and conscientious deliberetion on tn
part of the voters.
81 therefore respectfully decline
pursue the course suggested by you.
"Delay in answering your letter h'
been caused by difficulty in consultin
my state committee, whose charms
was absent from the state part OF Il
time. Very respectfully,
GEORGE N. TILLMAN. Z"
"Mr. Tillman's reason for declinir
Joint discussion, said Gov. Pate
son in speaking of the erepubhcan nor
nee's declination this afternoon, Nv
rot appeal to the average voter, aud
scarcely worthy of comment. What
means by saying that joint discussi'
would arouse party feeling, preiudi
and passion, do not comprehend, I
he does not say in which party it wou
arise, or how. If he refers to the de-
ocratic party, he is over r-sollcltous
it's welfare, and if to his own, he {
presses q distrust which republica
will have to explain among themselv'
ST think in declining to discuss
Issues of the campaign, it indicates Il
Mr.. Tillman has none which are sc
ous, and that he can find nosubstant
criticism of my administration OF st
affairs.
With the matter Of the joint disc
sion.out of the way Chairman Peay v
go to work on the governors itinera
which will be announced shortly. ]
governor will open his campaign
Nashville October /, probably at
Ryman auditorium.
Gov. Patterson has issued his inv
ton to Mr.. Tillman for joint deb