New Britain herald., 1916-10-07
Democrat Invites Republican to
 Debate Issues of Campaign
BELIEVES PLAN PROPER
Fitzgerald Dispatches Note to Rora- back Requesting Tour of State by Candidates to Express Views to the Voters.
Especial to the HeraId.) )
New Haven, Oct. '.

especial to the Hera1d.)
 New Haven, Oct. 7.
 Hon. Homer s. Cummings of Stam- ford, dem candidate for United States senator has challenged the republican nominee Senator George P. Mclean of Simsbury to a series of debates to discuss the issues of the campaign in the principal cities of the state. a challenge which, if accepted by Senator Mclean, will en- liven the campaign in the state such as it has not been enlivened in years In fact the simultaneous appearance of these two eminent candidates on the stump would treat the voters of the state to a display of oratory not heard since Civil war times, or even before, when the famous Lincoln Douglas debates stirred up things politically.
 |, Both Senator Mclean and MT. Cummings are brilliant orators. Sen ator Mclean made the keynote speech at the spring convention of his party held in New Haven to elect delegates to the national convention, and MT. Cummings made the keynote speech at the democratic convention held in New Haven to nominate state officers MT. Cummings idea in challenging Mr. Mclean is that the issues of the campaign can best be presented to the electorate of the state in this man. ner, and though he admits that it is a bit old-fashioned, he believes it would give a better opportunity than any other medium to set forth claims of the respective parties.
 The Challenge.
 The invitation to Senator Mclean has been sent through the democratic state chairman, David B. Fitzgerald, who is empowered by Mir. Cummings to act to the chairman of the repub- lican state central committee, J. Henry Roraback, and is as follows:
 October 6, 1916. Hon. J. Henry Roraback,
 Chairman Republican State Central
 Committee,
 Allyn House, Hartford. Conn.
 Dear Sir: Not in decades has the nation been confronted with such inn portant issues as in the present na- tional campaign. As ctairmen of the State Central committee of the re- publican and dem ocratic parties re- spectively in the state, feel that you and I havesa @ far greater duty than in merely attending to the details of the party organization. I refer to the duty of placing before the voters of Connecticut for their decision, fairly, squarely and clearly, the issues of the l campaign.
 There are many ways by which this l end may be achieved, but most of the | ordinary methods are open to partisan objection.
 There is one method, however | which feel will appeal above all oth- CTS to the voters of Connecticut. II Is @ method which enables the setting l forth of the claims of both sides sim ultaneously, clearly and without con- fusion. It Is a method which Is per haps little fashioned, but 1n l that very respect is strong through having been honored by some of the giants of American political history I refer to the medium of public de- bate.
 For this purpose I am empowered to extend an invitation or challenge to Senator George P. Mclean o1 Simsbury to meet the Hon. Homer l s. Cummings of Stamford, Conn.,, ir l open discussion of the great issues O. the day. at a series of public as sem b1ages, to be held at Hartford New Haven, Bridgeport, and Water 1 bury.
 I shall not burden you here with { discussion of any details of the plan all of that may be left to friendl, agreement following your acceptance in Senator McLean's behalf of thi challenge.
 I would suggest that the meeting be held in the largest available halls and that the invitation to attend b. extended broadcast to the voters o the state, that they may be afforded the greatest possible opportunity t. attend, hear, and formulate thei judgments.
 With respectful consideration t. yourself and through you to Senate Mclean, I await the favor of an earl. reply.
 Very truly yours,
 DAVID F. FITZGERALD,
 Chairman Demo cratic State
 Central Committee