Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-10-06
First District Representative Has
Joint Debate With Norfolk
Men al Yorktown.
COURT ADJOURNS FOR SPEAKING
Edward S. Wslbridse and w. n. Gum
Challenge Congressman to Debate
and Get Badly Used Up-Norroik
Men Make No Mention Of Republi-
can State Candidates.

Attorney Edward ). WalDrldge anu
former state legislator w. II. Gum
Republicans of Norfolk. challenged
Congressman w. A. Jones, of the First
district of Virginia. 10 joint debate
at Yorktown yesterday and were III
orally nayed alive by the statesman
from Warsaw. Mr. Jones worsted
his opponents at every turn and when
he arose for his fifteen minutes re-
Joiner after the enemy" had conclud-
ed their speeches he said that he saw
no necessity for replying to his OPP
ponents and that he would only repeat
an old Spanish proverb. which, when
translated into English. means That
it's a waste Of good lather to shave an
ass"
Congressman Jones went to York
town yesterday morning to deliver an
address at the invitation OF the county
Democratic committee and he had no
idea that he would meet the enemy.
However. the Republican leaders OF
this section learned of the proposed
visit of the congressman at Yorktown
and they secured Attorney Waibrldge
and Mir. Gum to go to Yorktown
to debate with Mr.. Jones. The Nor
folk men arrived here yesterday morn
ing and were taken to Yorktown in
an automobile by Postmaster w. 7.
Hopkins.
Court Adjourns For Debate.
On the arrival OF the Republican
speakers at the famous old town,
challenge was Issued to Mr.. Jones for
Joint debate. Congressman Jones ac-
cepted and arrangements were made
at once for the meeting. Judge Tyler,
who opened the Circuit Court If York
yesterday morning, auJourneG court at
IL o'clock and gave the speakers until
2:3O O'Clock for the discussion A big
crowd was on hand to near the con-
gresham, several local people, among
them being Mayor Jone-, being pres
ent.
Attorney Walbridge. who formerly
lived in Newport News, out later
moved to Michigan and recently came
to Norfolk, opened the discussion. He
spoke at some length. but advanced
few arguments. At no time during his
speech did he refer to any one of the
Republican state candidates. He said
that he had not long been in Vir-
ginia and didn't know much about the
conditions here. but that he under
StOOQ lJt4lOti lftQ DCtn III
power a long time and he thought a
change would be beneficial.
The speaker pointed out the pros
porous condition of the factories in
the northern states and said that
there are more manufacturing houses
in the north than in the south. He
said he thought the south would do
well to join the Republican party and
become prosperous like the northern
states.
Mr.. Jones' Reply.
Congressman Jones replied to the
address, speaking for upwards of an
hour. What few arguments MIR. Wal
bridge had ADVANCED the congressman
literally tore in pieces and the crowd
had many a hearty laugh at the ex-
pense of the Republican speaker.
Referring TO Mr.. Walbridge's argu-
ment about the difference in the con-
ditioas between the southern and nor
their states and that a change OF
politics might be beneficial. Mr.. Jones
advised the speaker TO return to that
hide bound state Ct Minnesota and
turn Democrat The speaker also
was at loss. he said. to understand
why Mr.. WaIbridgc was content TO
leave those prosperous northern
states TO come down and live in the
poor and unpTogressive southern
states
Mr.. W IT. Gum. who was electe,-
TO the legislature Of Virginia from
Norfolk in 1903 on the Democratic
ticket. made the closing speech for the
Republican side He said so little IN
his address that when he had con
cluded. Congressman Jones felt con-
strained 10 repeat 10 him the old
Spanish provcrb quoted above.
Mr. Jones had the crowd with him
throughout the discussion and one Of
the Republican speakers said some
thing 20 the effect that we don't seem
10 have very many friends here
Neither 81 the Republicans made
any mention Of the Republican State
candidates and this fact was general
~ remarked upon after the debate
ended
Congressman Jones and Hon.
Thomas Downing. o. Lancaster. chair
man of The district committee. came
20 this city early last night and Is
staying al the Warwick hotel While
his coming was unheralded. many Of