The Washington times., 1929-07-15
BALLOT DEBATE
REFUSED BY
POLLARD

The debate between John Garland
Pollard and @. Walter Mapp, two
Of the aspirants for the Democratic
gubernatbrial nomination In Vir.
ginia, subject to the primary Of
August S. is off, according TO a
statement made by Pollard from his
headquarters.
Mapp has for the past several
weeks challenged Pollard to n
friendly debate upon the centraliza.
tion of State government, or what
is commonly known as the short
ballot, 1t was not until the latter
part OF the week that Mapp made
a formal challenge in a letter to
his opponent.
Quoted BY Press
"You were quoted by the press
cussion," Mapp stated In his letter
direct personal Invitation from me.
II am, therefore, writing to In
vite you to a friendly joint discus
sion such as we had at Cape Charles
during the campaign to adopt the
new constitution and short ballot
amendments, said debate to be held
in Richmond during the week bes
ginning July Is, IL agreeable to
you.
Clarity Subject
"Such q discussion, 1t seems to me
viii, without embarrassment to the
Democratic party, clarity the whole
situation, and will give an enlight-
ened electorate the detailed infoFma.
ton on which to base an intelligent
conclusion"
Pollard, upon receipt Of Mapp's
challenge, Immediately issued a
statement in which he said that
since both he and Mapp were
faced with the possible response
bility Of becoming the Democratic
nominee, and would have to defend
the records against the attacks Of
the Republicans and their allies, that
he thought 1t wise to avoid any
courses which might possibly lead to
unpleasantness between us and our
supporters.
Pollard Declines
such performances often confuse
rather than clarity the Issues" Pol
lard wrote Mapp. Believing as do
that each of us can serve the party
better in the November election by
avoiding joint debates before the
primary, ! must, in the interest OF
party harmony. respectively decline
your invitation"
Leaders feel that Pollard could
not consistently accept a challenge,
as Pollard issued a statement that
the short ballot was not an issue,
and he could not afford to take
cognizancs Of a matter that was
not pertinent to his stand.
Original Supporter
Mapp, on the other hand, has
| advocated the repeal of the short
ballot amendments, but last week
was charged by Senator C. O'Con.
nor Goolrick Of Fredericksburg, one
of his staunchest supporters in
1925, that he was one of the
| original short balloters, when in
1918 and 1890, he signed an original
printed report recommending the
short ballot in the case Of the
superintendent of public instruction.
This was at first denied by Mapp.
| but after looking up the records,
| he stated that while he had not
| signed the report himself, he had
authorized ii by the superintendent
| OF public instruction, and that he
was technically correct in his denial
| made In Danville.
Appear Together
Even though tho joint debate is
off, the people of Richmond and
vicinity will have an opportunity
of seeing Pollard and Mapp on the
| platform at the same time, along
| with the third Democratic candidate
for the nomination. Roswell Page,
Of Ashland, brother of the illustri-
Gus Thomas Nelson Page.
The three candidates will speak
before q mass meeting to be held
in John Marshall High Sohool,
| Richmond, on July is, under the
auspices of the Richmond League
Of Women Voters.