Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30
RICHIE DECLINES
WHEELER DEBATE
Cannot Discuss Prohibition
With Paid Protagonist,
Governor Says.

by tne Associated PreA.
DETROIT. Mich, July 30.~-Gov. Al
bert c. Richie of Maryland, in De-
troit yesterday en- route home from
the governors conference at Mack
mac Island, made public letter which
revealed that he had declined an in.
vitation to a debate on prohibition
with Wayne 3. Wheeler of the Anti
Saloon League.
The invitation, according to the gov
ernor, was extended by r. D. Ho-
lister of the University OF Michigan
forum. in a letter last July .. The
governors letter to Mr., HOLSTER,
under date of July 10, said:
Il congratulate your great institu-
ton upon its purpose to provide n
neutral forum for the discussion of
this perpleXing national problem, and
L feel sincerely compimented that
you should think me worthy TO par.
ticipate.
There are several reasons which
in any event might prevent my ac-
ceptng your invitation, but l feel that
in candor l ought to give you the one
that makes 1t impossible for me to
do so.
Wheeler Paid Protagonist.
while personally l believe our pro-
hibition friends are taking the wrong
tack and not only injuring the cause
Of true temperance but are also doing
harm to the very character and sub
stance of our Government, neverthe.
less, / recognize that there are many
fair and sincere men and women, for
whom | have the utmost respect, who
differ with me, and with whom it
would be an honor to debate IL
could arrange 1t.
But to he entirely frank I cannot
bring myself to feel that way about
Mr.. Wheeler. He Is the paid pro-
tagonist OF a cause. professional
propaga midst, special pleader pure
and simple.
That is his privilege, Of course,
but / cannot conceive OF him for one
moment as seriously considering the
views of his opponent, however sim
cere, regarding any debate as an i'm
personal and disinterested effort to
test out the truth. So far as | know
he never debates. He proclaims. die
tates, abuses, threatens and collects.
And, to my way of thinking. Wheel
erism' is coming to be a real menace
in this country.
II am very deeply interested in the
subject of prohibition, not because it
involves controversy between vets
and 'drys,' but because it involves a
problem of American Government and
Of civil liberty, and j would like to
see some sane and sensible way out
OF the present wilderness evolved. But
to MIR. Wheeler every one who Is not
with him is a tool of the liquor inter.
ests' or an enemy of society,"
Says Object Is Publicity.
For long time now we have been
hearing about this or that person de-
batting prohibition with Mr.. Wheeler.
/ have, of course, no word Of criticism
for any one who wishes to do that,
but personally / can see no possible
object in debating with him unless 1t
be to give publicity to him or to his
opponent.
Il earnestly hope you will not mis-
construe this letter as indicating any
thing less than the highest respect on
my part for the object the University
of Michigan has in mind and my sins
cere appreciation of your purpose in
extending me so cordially an invitation
to take part in the proposed debate.
II have no means of knowing, how.
ever, whether the fact of my refusal
may become public, or. indeed, whether
Mr.. Wheeler himself may make it
public. I would have no objection, of
course, in either case, but in the event
that should occur ] might want the
reasons which actuate me to be under.
stood and made public also"