The Sun and the New York herald., 1920-07-23
MR.. wADswoRraS STAND.
In His Own Way He wm submit His
Plea for Reelection to the People.

x leh AVr AcoloCuVn W bno A0"P'O'
Below are the replies written by United
States Senator James W. wadsworth, Jr., to
the letter in which George Henry Payne
challenged him to joint debate on the queH-
tion OF woman suffrage and TO the letter
IN which william II. Anderson, superinten-
dent OF the Anti-saloon League, asked him
TO withdraw as a candidate for reelection
TO the Senate.
George Henry Payne, Esq, Neto York
city:
MY DEAR Nh. PAYNE: I have Just re-
eelvsd your letter Of July IS. In which
you propose that We hold q Joint de-
pate upon the question Of woman suf-
fTage. and make other suggestions con-
cerning the recommendation by the State
convention Of a candidate for United
States Senator. would not for a mo-
ment belittie the Importance OF the suf-
cussed In retrospect 80 far as the State
Of New York and my connection with
II are concerned. During the COM
ing campaign I intend 10 discuss my
vote in opposition to the woman suf-
frage amendment to the Federal Con-
stitution and discuss II fully and fun
damentally.
In like manner intend to discuss
matters Of profound importance to the
future Of the country, such as the COW
enant OF the League OF Nations and
American international obligations, the
fiscal policy OF the Government, includ-
Ing governmental expenditures and the
taxing of the people; the growth Of the
bureaucratic system and its tendency
toward State socialism, the enforce
ment OF the national prohibition amend
ment, the encouragement OF agriculture,
recent railway legislation and the future
OF the railroads, the relations between
employer and employee, the problem OF
the national defence and doubtless other
matters OF Importance to the welfare
and security OF the country.
To be perfectly frank I have never
thought much OF Joint debates In polit-
ical campaigns. They have not seemed
to me to accomplish anything. believe
II wiser for each candidate to discuss
the issues In his own way and in his
own time. The whole campaign will
constitute, as 1t were. Joint debate
and every utterance Of the candidates
will receive that degree OF publicity
which It deserves. And so. without m
tending the slightest dlsoourtesy and
In the belief that we can better set
forth our convictions and our proposals
In the usual way, beg leave to decline
your invitation.
With respect to your observations
concerning the recommendation OF
candidate for Senator At the State con-
ventIon permit me to assure you that
have neither requested nor suggested
that be recommended by the conven-
tion as the party's candidate. As far
as l am aware no delegates TO the con"
vention are pledged to propose sucn
recommendation. Indeed, the delegates
from my home county. Livingston, are
going unpEdged to the presentation OF
my name as candidate.
have not as yet distributed my petit
tions, because l believe that such action
might be regarded as an attempt on my
part to force the hand Of the convention
and to deprive II Of its discretion. nv
attitude for many months past has bee
one of entire willingness to take my
candidacy direct to the primaries. and
shall make TO complaint whatsoever
II the convention refrains from recon-
mendlng any candidate for Senator. 1t
is for the convention to decide this mat
ter as a part of the great problem which
will confront 1t.
]. w. WApswoRTH, Jr.