The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1910-07-09
VARDAMAN BACK.
HE MAKES SOME INTERESTING CON-
SIENTS IN ANSWER TO PERCY.
Ne Does net ExpeCk to Make Many
Political Speeshes This Year.
His Finances Will Not Permit him to
Spare the Time Joint Debates De-
stFuctiYe to Party Harmony.

StFuCtlye to Party Harmony.
jackson. Miss, July 7.-For the
first time in three weeks ex-Gov.
Vardaman was in his editorial
office today. having just returned
from a lecture tour, which included
points in Alabama, Georgia, Louis
lana and Oklahoma. and after a
day or two at home he will be off
again.
Asked for statement regarding
Senator Percy's ardently expressed
desire for joint debate, Mr.. Var
daman said:
i have no arrangements for a
joint debate with Mr.. Percy during
the year 1910, and do not expect to
make any. You suggest that Mr..
Percy has said that he has right
to meet the leader and not the
henchman.' Well, I do not know
about that. While Mr.. Bilbo is no
henchman Of mine, nor is he speak
ing over the State at my sugges-
tion. or at my request, or anything
of the kind, it strikes me, however,
from the reports published, that he
is quite able to take care of himself
in the debate with Mr.. Percy. I
have nothing to do with Mr..
Percy's meeting Bilbo. BiIbo has
a perfect right to make speeches.
and since he has been attacked by
the legislative and executive de-
partments of the government, /
think it is his duty to let the peo-
pie know the truth as he UNDER
stands it.
NOT INTERESTED IN PERCY.
The fact is, ] am not at all In
terested in Mr.. Percy's manner of
Campaigning. He can make as
many speeches as he desires or none
at all, if he sees fit, and / shall not
be disturbed or pestered IN the
least. l do not expect to open the
campaign formally until 1911. The
reason for this is, first, my pecuni-
ary condition is such that | am un-
able to give so much time to the
campaign. / do not care to- discuss
my private misfortunes with the
public, but / want the public to
know the reason why / am not
making speeches instead of work
ing for my daily bread and those
dependent upon me. And, further
more. I am Of the opinion that
joint debates at this time would be
productive Of no possible good.
Really. Iidoubt the wisdom Of joint
debates between members of the
same party at any time. The effect
is universally disastrous to party
harmony. The adherents of the
respective candidates usually get to
the meeting to stand by their chief,
regardless of what may happen
after they get there. 1t begets
passions and prejudices, hatreds
and animosities, the effect of which
is necessarily hurtful. Party har-
mony in Mississippi at this time is
very much to be desired.
/ am going to make as many
speeches as / can during the year
in the interest Of my candidacy,
but am afraid they will not be
many. / hope Mr.. Percy will con-
tinue to make his campaign and
not worry himself too much about
me. am amply able to take care
of my own affairs and need no as
sistance from him whatever. If
he can succeed in showing the peo-
pie Of Mississippi that he is the
proper man to represent them in
the United States senate, he will
be elected. But if he does not,
and | am rather of the opinion that
he will not, he is going to be per-
mitted to remain at home.
Ex-Gov. Vardaman states that ne
has covered a great deal of terri
tory and that while the work was
hard he had met some very excel
lent people. the meeting with
whom made the tour really enjoya-
bic.
/ hope to leave again in few
days, he said. ''and will be gone
a week or ten days longer. ! am
feeling good and it would not be
out of place to say that ! am de-
| lighted with the political prospects.
Things seem to be getting better
for me all the time.