Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1920-09-21
BLACK CHALLENGES
ROBERT BRIDGES
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE WOULD
DISCUSS WITH FARMER-LABOR
CANDIDATE, NOT NORTH DA-
KOTA, But WASHINGTON.


Judge w. w. Black, Democratic
nominee for governor, has issued the
following open letter to Robert
Bridges:
-Hon. Robert Bridges,
Candidate for Governor.
"Orillia. Wash.
Dear Sir:
Il notice in the Seattle papers that
in a public meeting in that city last
Friday night you issued a challenge
to any gubernatorial candidate to de-
bate with you concerning the non
partisan laws Of North Dakota. Since
the voters Of North Dakota will
themselves shortly express their own
opinion Of the suitability Of their par
a&icular laws to the peculiar cOndi-
tions existing in that distant state
without any concern whatever as to
what you or might think or say. the
practical one.
"You must realize that the voters
of Washington are directly interest
ed in the welfare and prosperity Of
this state. They want light upon the
question OF whether they should vote
in November for Louis X. Hart. or
w. w. Black, or Robert Bridges 10
be their state executive for the vital
ly important next four years.
''Now, in order to at once place the
issue between US upon a practical
basis. l directly challenge you to de-
bate the question OF which Of us
three the people Of this state should
vote for on November End in order
to benefit the people Of the state as
whole and to promote Industrial
peace and public prosperity.
las arrangements are being COM
pleted by the democratic campaign
committee for a speaking tour begin
ming Monday. the 9th Of September.
and continuing until election day.
which will take me into every corner
Of this state, 1t is almost imperative,
in order that my campaign against
the republican nominee be not too
greatly interfered with, that you ar
range to hold such proposed Seattle
debate some time during the week
ending Saturday, September 25th.
II am also very willing to engage
in similar joint discussion at Tacoma
and Spokane. II you care to do so
please notify me Of the dates as soon
as possible so that my speaking pro-
gram may be changed to accOmmo-
date such debates.
debates with you at these three
largest cities OF the state will con-
sumo all the time can AFFORD to
take from the strenuous campa' gn
intend to wage against Governor
Hart. I expect by November End TO
defeat Governor Hart upon the issue
that he is the enemy Of labor. OF the
farmer and Of the public generally.
and that his public acts are entirely
directed by certain favored special
interests. My platform is a squear
deal for labor. business, farmers. pro-
fessional people. and men and wom-
en- in all walks Of life.
"Now, concerning the proposed de-
bate with you. my proposal is that
each of us be allowed one hour. or,
II you prefer, one hour and quar-
ter. The one who opens may reserve
Is minutes of his time to reply to
the second speaker and the second
speaker may use five minutes OF his
time to close the discussion. Each OF
us shall select some individual and
these two shall jointly act as chair
men The rent shall be borne by us
equally and the general public. OF
course, must be admitted to the de-
bate.
"You may have the choice OF BEING
the first or second speaker. You are
given the right to select the times
and places and number of the debates
as we'll as the order of speaking Sc
that you can be deprived OF no ad'
vantage.
"Yours truly,
(Signed) wv. w. BLACK"