The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-31
MU SIGMA RHO SOCIETY.
INTERESTING DEBATE At THE RICH
MOND COLLEGE LAST EvENTNG.
Proposition, Resolved, That Virginia Should
Abolish Her System of Public Schools" Fla
boratsly Discussed-"Over the River" Read
Tho Witch's Daughter"

Abolish Her system of PubIic Schools. Fla
boratsly Discussed-"Over the River" Read
The witch's Daughter
A magnificent audience filed the chapel at
Richmond College last night
The occasion was the annual public debate
of the Mu Sigma Rho Literary Society, which
was TO have been held last Friday evening,
but was postponed in consequence Of unfsvor
able weather
The Mu Sigma Rho is the oldest literary
society connected with Richmond College,
and it has brilliant history.
On the roll of its members in former years
are the names Of Professor II. II. Harris and
Professor Thomas, Of tho present faculty OF
the college: Mayor J. r. Ellyson, Rev. DR.. A.
f. Dickinson, Judge 5, b. Witt. City-Attorney
c. V. Meredith and other prominent gentle
men Of this city. besides Rev. DR. 7. 5. Hen
son. Of Chicago Rev. DR.. George h. Taylor,
of Rome. Italy: Rev. Dr. J. G. Long. of
Crozier Theological Seminary, and many
others who are widely known and justly hon.
ored
In the audience last evening were professors
and their families and many prominent men
from the city.
After prayer by Rev. DR.. LAndrum. Mr. Is.
L. Gunter. Jr., Of Virginia. president Of the
society, IN a graceful and appropriate speech,
welcomed the audience. and then introduced
a. declamer Of the evening Mr.. ". Owen
Carver, of Tennessee.
Mr. Carver is well knownto our people as
polished and attractive elocutionist. His Sc
lection, The Witch's Daughter" was much
enjoyed by the audience.
Mr. James &. HarwOOd, Of Virginia, the
'poet-lauretten If the NIu Sigma Rho So
ciety, then recited an original poem entitled
over the River
Mr Harwood more than sustained the
merlted reputation he enjoys as poet.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The proposition. Resolved, That Virginia
should abolish her system Of public schools"
was announced for discussion. and Mr.. ID. 5.
Garland, of Virginia, appeared as the first
speaker for the Affirmative. Mr.. Garland ls
graceful and effective speaker and is quite at
ease IN the arena OF debate.
He desired to emphasize the familiar fact
that the advantages of government are for all
the people while the public school system
benefits only certain classes.
There Is an element of communism in the
idea Of public education The free school
system cannot properly be called charitable
institution. because it is supported by taxa
ton, and enforced charity" IS not charity at
all.
The negro problem is involved in this ques-
ton. Ifthe negro is incapable Of being edu-
Gated. then money appropriated for this pur-
pos is thrown away: II the negro can be edu-
Gated is il desirable Educated negroes are
most hostile % the whites.
Moral and religious teaching is all-impor-
tant Individual character determines M
tional character.
Lofty character constitutes the nations
! highest glory
THE NEGATIVE.
Mr.. r. F.. Chambers. Of Baltimore. was the
first speaker for the negative. He did not
! claim perfection for the public school avs
TEN. but II is the best We can do under
existing circumstances.
Numerous objections 10 the system were
noticed 1t Is claimed that free education
tends 20 destroy self-relance and indie
pendence Of character. Mr.. Chambers en-
! phasized the idea that the tendency OF all true
! education Is 20 broaden and elevate charac-
ter a. well As intellect.
Besides selfreliauce is indispensable to the
acquisition OF knowledge. and can the con-
slant exercise Of this important trait Of
character tend 10 destroy It;
Without public schools comparatively few
| of our people would receive any education at
Mental training is essential 10 profitable in
/ dustry But shall the State educateI
1t is sound policy on the part Of the Gov
eminent TO devise means for the prevention
of crime and pauperism. and these are always
!
Mr.. Chambers IS q fluent and forclb!e
! speaker and sustained his position admirably.
Mr.. ! Garland Pollard. Of Richmond, ap-
| peared AS the colleague Of Mr.. Garland in de-
fense Of the affirmative.
! Although this gentleman is quite young and
! inexperienced in debate. he Is. nevertheless,
an agreeable and effective speaker.
The public school system Is popular, yet its
many defects are recognized by every thought
ful citizen II all that is claimed for the sys-
TEN by is supporters were true. It would DO
well for our ministers 10 exchange the pulpit
| for pedagoglcs.
No specific religious teaching can be fos-
| tered in the public school, and all neutrality
! l. hostile 10 religion.
II ia unjust 10 tax one class Of the COM
| munty for the benefit Of another class.
On the principle of free education the State
| should feed and clothe its citizens.
Virginia needs all the money she can raise
! 10 pay her public debt. Let It never be said OF
| the old State that she was generous before she
was Just. Let poverty and disaster come. If
need be, but let Nlrgnias honor DO inviolate
forever.
THE LAST SPEAKER.
Dir. Harry L. Watson. Of Virginia, the last
| speaker Of the evening, presented some forcl-
| bic arguments for the negative.
Not only must we consider the workings on
| an institution but also the principle upon
/ which it is founded. If the public school
/ system is based on sound governmental ideas,
! then IL should stand.
Universal education is essential 70 the per-
| manence OF our form Of government
The intelligence Of the people is the palla-
/ dunn Of our political institutions. Thomas
/ Jefferson, THE sage of Monticello con-
ceived the idea Of public education.
Moral. and even religious teaching. need
| not be divorced from public instruction.
Referring 20 the education Of the negro.
Mr.. Watson reminded his. audience that the
negro has rights-rights guaranteed 10 him by
! the Federal Government he needs edu-
cation 10 fiji him for the use Of those rights.
/ So far from abolishing free schools. Viz
GINA should seek 20 improve and gradually
perfect her system Of public instruction
Mr. Watson is a most excellent debater.
Tie exercises were rendered more enjoyable
by choice music by one Of Richmond's best
bands
Il is but Just TO say that The occasion added