Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-06-03
Candidate DENIES Having Avoided
Any Challenges or Declined
to Debate.
SAYS Mr.. TUCKER MISREPRESENTs
Demands Proof of Charges Of Com
bination With Liquor interests and
Makes Flat Denial Of Opponents
Statements--Says Tucker Was Dis
loyal 10 Party.

Following IS the reply OF Judge VIII
liam Hodges Mann 10 Harry st.
George fuckers letter. proposing a
series OF ten debates in the various
scctions Of the State:
June 2. 1909.
Hon II. st. George Tucker, Richmond,
Virginia
My Dear Sir.--trpon my return To
the city on yesterday. received your
letter Of the 9TH ultimo.
most respectfully decline to nc
cept your proposition to have ten joint
discussions at ten different points
throughout the state The campaign
is progressing to my entire ssinsfac-
tion. and I proposed 10 conduct my
side of IL along lines that seem to me
best. and not along lines that you
may choose to select.
! will now reply in detail to the
several matters discussed in your let
ter.
Yes, did intend 10 say in my Pow
hatan speech: II have promptly ac-
cepted. In good faith. every challenge
that was offered / accepted your
challenge ut Boydton. and in your
methods you tramsled down all thu
ethics of debate: | accepted your chai-
lenge at Christiansburg. subject To
the approval Of the county commit
tee to which you also agreed: ass-
cepted your challenge at Lebanon up
on terms which you said at Christians
burg were acceptable. but you then,
after my acceptance, sought to adj
other terms. declining to debate I'M
less your friends were Informed tnat
your challenge would be accepted. AMI
Ii was not forthcoming, although your
Richmond organ, upon the authority or
your campaign manager, stated that
you would challenge me. | therefore.
, stated in my Powhatan sSeech. ahl
now repeat, that 1t was you, ana
not me. who avoided debate at Le-
hsnon and in Bath some newspapers
to the contrary Notwithstanding 4
did not complain" that you did not
challenge me at Bath. | merely stat
ed the facts in response to partisan
newspaper report, which the common
wealth's attorney OF Bath cdainty says,
in a signed statement in the Bath en-
tarnr SO Of the 2sth instant. Not
only was unfair. but did not even con-
tain the elements OF truth
You ask why | did not ch9lienge
|, ress some time since, stated that
/ was opposed to such DISCUSSIONS ne-
carxe they are manifestiy against the
,its-:et q the Democratic parry, tend
ne TO create factions, ant TO make
many members q the party, certainly
the strong friends OF the defeated can
didafc. dissatisfied with and unwilling
| TO supDort the nominee, whoever ne
u ~ I
what occurred al Boydton- IL IS not
rroDosed 10 discuss issues that will
enhghten the people, but to deal IN
personalities; not TO discuss recoruss
| in the sense Of what has or has not
been accomplished, but 70 indulge ~
destinations and raise questions as u
ones motives: because II Is uiaisni-
fed. unbccomiag and unseemly for
gentlemen to engage In such personal
discuss ons-the Office Of governor OF
Virginia is one OF too much dignity
Cor the candidates to put themselves
up 10 smrSe. not 60 enlignten. tne
people. by abusing ore anofEer. De-
cause the reporters are generally par
fi<ans q one cana date OF the other
and the reports a-e usually o.asfo
and unfair. and because su1n ceDaIes
1rp nIIFU VILE lflua-'-A~An -@-N -
tendency is always to take adsantase
Of ones opponent and Try To eaten
him unawares. as YOU did az BoyusH@
when You refrainsd from making airy
attack on me until you knew Il vas
TOO late for M to reply
Quote Record Correctly
do not like TO indulge IN persoaali-
ties myself. and am unwilling TO si-
Quietly By and have anv maa say
things 20 me as n candidsfe that ne
would not dare say TO me- IS nan.
VIXEN my hands we're not tied y
vas not my purpose TO "a anyinins
arrrf you that vas not kinds ana
pleasant Pour years ago. coHcn~s-
% my campaign along this iine- ana
fcsay I regard the two gestlcc'e-' ~hg
rcr~ my opponents as ~ pers-'Hei
frsrdz. But Won <uuid not have Y
-. lou proceeded 70 make sFri"s
o c.-af ce<. Ire tcno- ~ wh,Sb vas
1T 40 ouestion my cxocri nee. nv
S.idJ ny judgment. n ny Tihi1ca-
fiore for The hi<h 1firc % fh.cn
aspire but 20 question nv mqiivee-
40 ros Wish ire 'Senefc Journal -
- N.I.rU a.