The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-21
Mr.. M'NEAL S CHALLENGE
Would Meet D. R. Anthony in Debate
on Tariff and ssCannonism.,

T. A. McNeal today issued the follow
irg challenge:
Mr.. Anthony insists that the people
OF this congressional district approve
of his course in congress in supporting
Cannon and his arbitrary rules and in
voting for the Payne-Canpon-Aldric
tariff bill. I insist that a large major
ity of them do not. / think, however,
that the people of this district are a
fair minded people. who would be glad
to listen to a fair discussion of the
questions at issue. l, therefore, re-
specially challenge Mr.. Anthony to a
series of public discussions on the fol-
lowing propositions. which, in my opin-
ion, are at the present time engaging
more of the attention and interest of
the people of Kansas than any other
public questions.
First will affirm that the present
rules governing the lower house of con-
gress-commonly known as Cannon
ruleS-are unrepublican' uEdemocrat1c,
and subversive of the principles on
which our government is founded in
that they deprive the people of proper
representation and place in the hands
of the speaker of the house a most
despotic ard dangerous power: Mr.
Anthony will in these public discus
SionS take the negative and defend
'Cannonism' which he supported as a
member of the lower house.
''Second-I will affirm that the tariff
bill passed by congress was not Iul-
fllment of the pledges made to the peo-
pie in the Chicago platform; that il was
passed at the behest of and i'll the in
terest of eastern manufacturers ID the
detriment of consumers; that it was
intended and will still further enrich
giant n.oropolies which for many years
fattened under the protection of ex-
cessive tariffs at the expense of The
masses of the people.
IF Mr.. Anthony prefers, I am will
ing that the questions shall be so
4. l. ~
ism is the proper method of controlling
the lower house of congress and that
the present tariff is a just and equitable
piece of legislation; and 1 will do my
best in my feeble way to maintain the
negative of those propositions. If tho
challenge is accepted, a part at least
of the debates should be arranged TO
take place between now and December
list, as 1 presume that Mr. Anthony will
wish to be in Washington at the OPEN
ing of congress; although if CannonisiI
is correct, if it is the proper thing for
a congressman to surrender his rights
as a representative of his constituency
to the speaker of the house, l see o
reason why he should be present either
at the opening of congress. or at any
other time during the session. He can
write to Mr.. Cannon to count the mem
Der from this district as present and
voting as he (Cannon) desires. This
would save Uncle Joe some little
tfouple anu Willie MT cannon Is cast
ing the votes at Washington, Mr.. An
thony and myself can proceed with the
discussions here at home.
If the challenge is accepted, would
respectfully suggest that Mr.. Anthony
appoint two gentlemen to meet with
Attorney General F. S. Jackson and
Harold T. Chase, editor of the Topeka
Daily Capital, as my representatives to
arrange dates. places and other details
Of the discussions.
Very respectfully,
ct. A McNEAI.n