Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-05-04
BELIEVED JOINT DEBATE
MEANT MUD-SL|NC|NC
Judge Mann Doesn't Deny He Was
AVerse to Meeting Tucker
at ChPistiansburg
THINKS PARTY WOULD Be DAMAGED
Tucker Men Claim Mann's Friends
on County Committee Prevented
Joint Discussion-Result of Decision
Was Loss of public lnterest-Com-
n1ittee Rules Against Personalities.

RICHMOND. VA, May 3.-ReporIs
to the contrary Notwithstanding, the
success OF the Mann supporters in
their fight to avert a joint discussion
between Harry st. George Tucker and
Judge Mann at Chrisiiansburg last
Saturday was not assured by well
laid plans"
No Issue, Says Mann.
Judge Mann made no secret of the
fact that he was averse TO a debate
with Mr.. Tucker. He held that there
was no issue to be discussed and that
an argument between himself and Mr..
Tucker could only lead to personali-
ties ard mud singing and he argued
that mud Singing" must inevitably
result in injury to the democratic
party interests.
The committee to which The ques-
ton of a joint debate was referred in
the afternoon took the judges view
and ruled against the proposition on
that account
Committeeman Mann Men.
The Tucker men openly charged
THAT four of the committeeman were
Mann adherents and the fifth was aG-
|mittedly neutral
Whatever doubt may have been en-
tentained regarding the expectations
of Judge Mann at the time he reached
iChristiansburg. was dispelled by a
statement made tentatively by William
Aehby Land. the Blackstone editor,
who was in charge of Judge Mann's
affairs for the day.
Mr.. Land was asked why the judge
discarded the speech he had prepared
for Christiansburg and spoke extern
q raneously. He replied:
Judge Mann prepared that speech
in anticipation Of a joint debate be-
ing thrust upon him.
"In view of the fact that the judge
spent about a week in the preparation
Of a speech which was not delivered.
even in part, it is plain that he did
that everything was fixed" and that
"a joint debate was not 10 be held"
Tucker Disappointed.
That the expected discussion was
averted was an agreeable surprise to
IT,. Mann supporters and keen,dis-
appointment. to fuckers friend. IT. is
stated.
when TuckeFis chal enge was ISSUED
the Mann element of the Nontrssfn&55
democracy determiaed; to::; pr evsntt tire'
Judge from accepting AS seps1s as tAa
news reached tie. opera lio:1ae. where
they were -assen.hled. a score OF ffaE
prominent in the politics Of the ccun-
~ and town went to Judge Mann's
hotel to protest.
Judge Marn at first refused 10 IL
more the Challenge. He said IL
woula look like lodging and he was no
dodger.
Then an effort wss made to induce
Circuit Judge Ncfatt &c prohibit the
use cffthe opera house for -ariizan
political purposes. II was argued that
the temporary occupancy Of the oPFea
house by the circrit court made II =
county building and that il should MOI
b. given over to the uses Of a pol:ii-
cal narty. JUDGE Noffatt is a person
al friend Of Judge Mann. Tut he j.
liberal minded. lie refused TO inter
ferc with the arrangements hat had
been made.
There was juhiistion and hiiarity IN
the Mann emp IN The afternoon oscr
the discovery that al mail received
far Harry 81 George Tucker. wa al
dressed in care Of County Clerk
George Wilson. a republican off!cc
holder and former chairman Of tho
county republican committee.
Tucker Explains.
Mr. TJckcr. however. explained Tits
circumstances. Mr.. Wilson. a. Gown
" clerk. Is custodian r. the upcra
house. which is occupi-d 6y the coun-
" officers vfiie the nov court house
building is in coursc e construction.
Mr.. fuckers mail Vas addressed IN
cerc ~ Mr. Wilson because that
gentleman happened 10 BE- the Gus
todian Of the building IN which the
twc candidates FOR the govcrrorshi9
we're 10 speak
or the i5o Or is0 persons Who lis