Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 54, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 October 1916 — ROBINS DECLINES TO MEET MRS. FUNK IN DEBATE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ROBINS DECLINES TO MEET MRS. FUNK IN DEBATE

Brilliant Woman Progressive Supporting Wilson Had Challenged Hughes Convert to Match Reasons. Raymond Robins, who was chairman of the recent Progressive National Convention in Chicago, has declined the challenge of Mrs. Antoinette Funk to meet her in public debate on the reasons why Progressive voters should be asked to vote for Charles E. Hughes when President Wilson is in the field. In his refusal Mr. Robins indicated that he would decline all offers to match logic with opponents on the question of Progressive activity in this presidential campaign. * Mrs. Funk in Chicago and was one of the prominent leaders of the Progressive movement so long s,s Colonel Roosevelt remained at the head of it. She and Mr. Robins fought side by side for Progressive principles and she was one of the most active campaigners for Mr. Robins in the Senatorial campaign in Illinois two years ago. Mrs. Funk now is a member of the Associate Committee of Progressives co-operuting with the Democratic National Campaign Committee. She puts her challenge to Mr. Robins on the high ground of public service, asking that her former associate submit the case of Wilson vs. Hughes to popular juries. In her letter to Mr. Robins, Mrs. Funk said: “In 11)12. endorsing the Progressive party with my whole heart, I left behind me a tradition of middle western and New England Republicanism and when the end came in the Auditorium last June, I followed Theodore Roosevelt to the door of the Republican camp with faith that the Republican party of 1916 was In somewise different from the Republican party of 1912 that he and you and I condemned and 1 waited for a sign that would point the new way. It did not come, but events momentous in their import did transpire and against my inclinations and traditions and against

my associations mid prejudices, I was forced in honesty to myself to admit that Woodrow Wilson, greater than his party, a leader of his party, had in large measure kept for the Progressives their contract affirmed by them and entered into with the people.

“I am inviting you now, Mr. Robins, to join me in a serins of debates, the question to be resolved and the arrangements to be made through our respective committees, such debates to be held during the campaign, It being understood that the resolution of the question shall comprehend ull matters properly at Issue in the minds of Progressives seeking their political afliliatlon for 1910.”

Some of the newspaper correspondents attached to the standpat train ir. Ohio found Mr. Hughes’ voice “very firm,” which was in striking contrast with utterances that were just us in Unit as ever.

MRS. ANTOINETTE FUNK.