Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1909-05-12
Judge Mann Gives Reasons for
Opposing Joint Debate

Judge Mann Gives Reasons +,
Opposing Joint Debate
Judge William Hodges Man
candidate for the Democratic mol
inatioL for Governor. has issued
signed article giving his reason
for opposing joint debates. Judl
Mann says:
The newspapers have asked n
why I am opposed to joint debate
There are several reasons why d
not believe In joint discussions b.
tween candidates for nomination
of the nature of those which hav
been offered me.
l. / think such discussions ar
manifestly against the interest o
the Democratic party, tending b
create factions, and to make man,
members of the party, certainly
the strong friends of the defea tee
candidate, dissatisfied with anc
unwilling to support the nominee,
whoever he may be.
2. Because there are no impor-
tant issues to discuss upon which
tie position of each candidate has
not been fully stated in tho news.
papers. There is nothing to BE-
discussed that does not involve
personalities.
8. Because I am teetotally op-
posed to mud. singing and person
al abuse, and do. not wish to en-
gage in it. / am candidate for
the nomination upon my own mel.
its, aud not upon any dement's my
opponent may possl Sc. My In.
structiops to The Sc in charge of my
headquarters were that 10 word
was TO 60 out from them that
could in any possible way be in
disparagement of my opponent.
An examination of my files will
show that my instructions have
been obeyed to the letter. The re-
ports of nv speeches will show
that l, too, have strictly observed
this rule. wish from the bottom |
Of my heart that the campaign |
could be fought out along that
line.
q. Because it lie undignified,
upbecoming and unseemly for
gentlemen to engage in personal
discussions of this character.
What happens is this. One man
sits On platform, while another
abuses him in q manner that is in
sultirg and offensive. and under
any other circumstances would
call for and result in blows, while
the crowd sits of and hurrahs.
Then the first man takes his seat
and the other 10 expected to re- {
peat the performance. / have /
Eever done such thing in my
life. and l don't want to commence !
it now. / Invent through the cam. 9
paign of 1905 without saying one
unkind word about either OF my e
opponents either privately or in 8
debate. and without either Ct them q
saying one unkind word about me. t
net them occasionally, and our t
relations were cordial and very "
pleasant. |.
s. Because there is a fairer and h
better way to acquaint the PEOPLE Il
With tie facts. Ii Mr.. Tucker IL
Knows any reason why / should Il
,ot be Governor Of Virginia, let ri
lin make the charges over his j.
'wn signature and in detail 10 The T
newspapers. A number of the
Isily newspapers are friendly to C.,
lin, and they will gladly publish ST
hem. All ask Of them is that they "
publish my replies / will ask oil VI
ewspapers friendly to my candl. n
acy to publish anything MIR. as
'ucker may wish to say. Let each l.,
arty agree not to send anything tn
hrouGh the mails derogatory to I'M
he her. Let everything be open W
nd above board, 80 that all the tn
eople may know the facts. There is
ching in my life or in my record -.
Rat rave the slightest desire to -.
ide. | am human, and doubtless =.
ave made some mistakes; but / w.
IN cay in all earnestness that
icy have been mistakes of the 20 ~.
cad and not of the heart. -
These are my views and these ~
70 the reasons why / am opposed =.
joint debates. l am not afraid w
meet Mr.. Tucker, as some news. us
,pers have endeavcred to make '.
appear. and ! am sure that 10 VI
lie who knows me thinks / am. ~
I'VE not avoided meeting Mr.. w
ucker, and i do not propose to ;,
cid meeting him now, although I'LL
/ have said. the whole idea of qu'
Oh discussion is distasteful to me APi
the extreme; and / believe will 'of
hurtful to.the Democratic party, zoe
d if persisted in will ultimately
stroy the supremacy Of that n no
rty in the State, VII
pov
Another Veteran Gone use