The Newport plain talk. (Newport, Tenn.) 1909-1939, 1912-10-10
LETTERS OF
CANDIDATES
Massey and Sells Exchange
Some Very Interesting
Correspondence.
SELLS MAKES CHALLENGE
Asks DR.. Massey to Consult Paul
E. Devine and Give Answer
While DR.. Massey Terms the
Sells Letter Coarse and One
Which Should Not Come From
One Gentleman to Another.


One Gentleman to Another.
Congressman Sells and DR.. Massey,
each formally opened the campaign
for congress in the first district Mon
day with Speeches, respectfully at
RogersvilIe and Sevierville. Just prior
to the following correspondence which
was a challenge from Congressman
Sells for a Joint debate and DIR. Mas
sey's answer TO same, was exchang-
ed.
In his letter to Massey, dated Oct. 3,
Representative Sells says:
"Dear Sir: will open my campaign
at Rogersville Monday, October Tat III
a. m. ] invite you to be present and
accept an equal division OF time for
the presentation OF our respective
claims. N
"Under ordinary circumstances 4
would not issue this challenge, mas
much as you are the nominee of no
party. You have made so many con-
tiicting statements as TO your party
allegiance that no one knows Where
you stand. You have professed at
times during this campaign to be sup
M in Tof OF of hnr
professed 10 support Roosevelt. The
fact remains, however, and shall 50
charge, that you represent no party nor
interest, save the organized saloon in
terests of Tennessee. i shall not only
charge that you are their candidate, but
] shall prove that you are relying upon
their promise to finance ycur campaign
and supply you with Doodle fund i'm !
November.
"For six months or more you have
been travelling over this district in the
interest of your candidacy. You have
INDUCED in every kind Of misrepresen-
tation concerning me. You owe IL To
yourself and to me to make these
charges in my presence.
"Finally, have no inclination for
joint discussion with you. But inas-
much as | am going to attack your re-
cord and expose the reason for your
candidacy, / deem it but fairto write
you to be present and offer you an OPP
por:unity to reply. SHALL be willing
to meet you for one speech only in each
county of the district.
AS soon as you can conveniently vis-
ii Maj. Paul E. Divine, and, as usual.
have him prepare your answer, | shall
| shall be glad 10 receive IL.
Yours truly,
"SAM r. SELLS
Massey sent the following reply
"Sevierville, Tenn. Oct. 5, 1912
"Hon. Sam r. Sells,
"Johnsen City, Tenn;
] am in receipt OF your communica-
tion of Oct. 8, inviting me to joint
debate in Rogersville, Oct. 4, and ia
reply beg TO say that certainly before
writing this invitation you knew that
was advertised to open my campaign
in Sevierville on the same day, you i'm
vite me TO meet you in Rogersvilie.
III consider your letter as coarse, and
not a letter that one gentleman
should write another, and especially q
gentleman occupying the high position
that youdo. consider your letter am
insult of the coarsest kind, and ann
not surprised that man occupying The
position you do, and sending such .
communication as you sent me, would
indulge in misstatements of facts. ss
you threaten in your communicates 20
| me.
"Yours Respectfully,
". ID. MAsSky., ~