The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-07-05
Open Letter and
Challenge to Rube Geers

populist party. If Gore were in Penn.
sylvania he would be a republican
If he were in Milwaukee he would be
a socialist. After August 8, he viii
have opportunity. to go to both places.
And now ] come back TO the pre-
vious question--the Debate. You have
yelled Debate, Debate" so much
Of late that nearly every socialist ana
republican in Johnston county 0hey
! borrow copies of your paper from the
democrats who are patronizing you
in good faith has gone off into some
sort of "Debatisterics" and are about
to rupture their vocal chords, follow
| ing your lead; and must say, frankly
that the volume of sound emanatine
from the Capitol-Democrat, reinforced
by the mouthings Of its republican and
socialist "rooters" has pulled over
many good honest democrats to mingle
their voices with their enemies de-
mand for q debate. In view of this
fact, Rube. since you and your cohorts
will not let the matter rest without
some kind Of debate, and in view of
the fact that said debate between the
principles Of this contest will not oc-
cur in this county, l venture to sug,
gest that you yourself do your part to
accommodate the demand, which your
genius abetted by your republican and
socialist friends has created. Though
not a debater-especially of the Gore
type-on the question of the respective
records of Scott Ferris and T. T.
Gore, made in the congress Of the
United States, in the matter of their
services, rendered to the democratic
party, to the state of Oklahoma and
to the government of their country,
will challenge YOU to meet me in
joint debate, and will name you the
following conditions: l will put up in |
the bank the sum of $500, you will |
not put up one cent. We shall choose |
judges, you two and l two, these |
four to select a fifth, all to be com |
petent to render a decision on the |
points presented. without reference to |
their personal convictions. If Gore, |
through your presentation Of his rec
ord, wins, the money in yours. II
Ferris record wins the money will
be given to obtain the services Of an
nter-denominauonal evangelist in Tish.
omingo, and your only obligation wilY
be to attend that meeting SEVEN
nights.
Now, Rube, it is up to you Put
up or shut up" l am making this
offer in good faith. know that IN
most of the things you stand for, you
never take yourself seriously, anG
most of those who know you do no,
either. But there are those good ear
nest souls who do take you seriously
those that believe the things you
publish in your paper, most of which
iou do not believe yourself. Yes, Rubc,
'ou have lots of fun that way at the
Expense Of those who have faith in
vou. 1t is very amusing to you. no
ioubt, to make fools, as you would
ay, of these good people, who no,
moving what deceit is in themselves,
10 readily put their trust and faith
n the matter you place before them
n your paper. This rich fun may
asst for you, but I doubt it. And this
'rings me right to the point-that /,
Tou desire to prove yourself in earnest
'ou will at once accept this chal.
enge, and we win arrange the time
md place for the meeting. Let me
AVE your acceptance.
Respectfully yours,
ALONZO MILLER.