The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-20
Bowman and BeddOw Will Meet at Jefferson Theatre
 Wednesday Night
TWO OTHER DEBATES
 ARE BEING ARRANGED
Tom Long May Meet Burr and Rice May Discuss the Question With Shapiro-Spicy
 Letters Written

As the date for the local option cleo ton approaches the indications point strongly to warm finish. If the plans outlined by the opposing factions do not miscarry, Wednesday evening will wit ness the most strenuous finish in the history of the warm political battles for which old Jefferson is famous In the parlance of the street, There will be. something doing" As it now ap- pears. there will be three-ring circus, in the three theatres of the city, where three debates will be held between Col. r G. Bowman and Chairman c. P. Bed dow: Charles E. Rice and Isadore Shapiro. and Tom Long and Borden Burr. So far only the debate between Colonel Bowman and MT. Beddow is an assured fact. The other two are not yet definitely arranged.
 The debates are the result of individ ual challenges, and have not been brought abount by the local option or ganization. Chairman J. G. Moore has never favored holding joint debates on the ground that as rule they cause hard feelings and bitterness that out live the campaign. -..s
 The joint debate between Colonel Bowman and Mir. Beddow Is the result of a statement made by Colonel Bow man at local option meeting at Bes- semer. in which he signified his inten- tion of challenging MT. Beddow to meet him an Wednesday, night at the Jefrer son theatre along certain lines.
 Mir. Beddows acceptance was made
 
 cations leading up to the debate be- tween the prominent law partners make spicy reading in themselves. Colonel Bowmans challenge was as follows:
 Challenge to Beddow
 ITO the Hon. c. p. Beddow, Chairman of Saloon Opposition League, Care { First National Bank Building, City
 My Dear MT. Beddow: I have noticed recently in the news columns of the Birmingham Ledger that you are anXi- ous to discuss the questions at issue be- tween your league and the local option ists in this county.
 We are to have an election on the 24th inst, which will decide: First. whether the county shall be wet or dry; second, if it is to be wet, then whether or not intoxitants are to be sold through thee- dispensary or Through the ope1x saloon, as provided for in the Smith. bill.
 T hereby .uespectfully invite you to meet me ast 8 o'clock p. m. on the 23d inst.. .tat the Jefferson theatre to dis cussS the following proposition: If Jefferson county goes wet in the cleo u(tion to be held on the 24th inst, whether it will be for the best inter ests of this community for intoxicants 10 be sold through the dispensary or through the saloon, as provided for in the Smith regulation bill. You take the side of the dispensary and I to take the side of the saloon. You to have the opening and conclusion of the de- bate. Your opening to consume one hour and quarter, and your closing speech to consume 15 minutes, 1 being allowed one hour and a half between your speeches.
 This debate to be conducted in the presence of men only This latter sug sestion is made that the entire seating capacity of the house may be available 10 the voters of the city and county who nay desire to hear the discussion.
 Your immediate reply to this letter Nil greatly oblige, yours very truly.
 "P. G. BOWMAN"