New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-07-19
Payne Calls ON
WadswOrth for
Public Debate
Aspirani for Republican
Nomination for Senate
Asks Public Discussion
OH the Suffrage Question
Wants Delegates Freed
Says Unofficial Convention
Is Not Proper Method
of Naming a Candidate

George Henry Payne. who has an
nounced that he will oppose James W.
Wadsworth for the Republican nominal
ton for United States Senator, sent an
open letter to the Senator yesterday
challenging him to a debate on the
suffrage issue. He suggests that the
Senator release the delegates pledged
to support him at the Saratoga conven-
ton and leave his candidacy to the de-
cision of the voters at the primaries.
The letter was given out by William
Halpin, campaign manager for Payne.
1t read:
"My Dear Senator Wadsworth: Be-
lieving that your position on the suf-
your availability as a Senatorial nomi-
nee, from the standpoint of party
welfare, take the liberty of making
you two suggestions which i believe,
if carried out, will rebound to the
benefit of the Republican party in this
state.
Step in Social Progress
"On representations of many friends
and on the advice of important men
Interested solely in the success of the
Republican party, l have been impelled
to course that at first viewed with
reluctance. The decision once made. |
find more than justification for my
announced candidacy for the Republi-
can nomination for the United States
Senate.
Friends of yours have stated that
my candidacy was good for the party,
inasmuch as they believed that those
opposed to you would be reconciled to
your nomination if once given an op-
portunlty to vote against you at the
primaries.
Such view, to my mind, is lacking
IN appreciation of the great undermov-
ing forces that are shaping the poll
cles OF our government. No greater
mistake could there be than to assume
mathematical addition to the voting
population, rather than a great step in
our social, political and economic
progress.
TO take this campaign from the low
level Of mere political machination is
as much your duty as It is mine, and I
think we should do all in our power to
see that this issue is thrashed out fully
and fundamentally. To that end l sue-
gest that we meet in debate, and leave
to you the suggestions for the initial
arrangements. All that have is a
burning conviction that. in this matter,
you are wrong and | am right, and this
| am willing to debate with you at any
time, any place, under any rules
And will you permit me to make a
suggestion as to the Saratoga conven-
ton? The effects of your opposition
to woman suffrage cannot be ironed
out by a designation by the unofficial
convention at Saratoga. The firm
friendships you have made among
those leaders and among many of the
delegates to the convention have led
them to commit themselves to YOUR
candidacy regardless of it's dangers
Their promises of support believe
were due to their friendship, but were
not really expressions of approval of
your course.
Wants Delegates Released
ON the interest of the party. in the
interest of the election of Harding and
Coolidge, which is after all the main
consideration, | believe that you should
release those delegates and use your
influence to the end that the Saratoga
convention should not designate YOU.
leaving the decision in this important
matter to the voters of the state at the
primaries. Very sincerely yours,
GEORGE HENRY PAYNE"
All doubt as TO whether there would
be last minute change of sentiment
on the part of those at the head of the
state organization with respect to hav-
ing the Saratoga convention adjourn
without designating a state ticket, as