Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-28
THE Z. NJ. c. A. JOINT DEBATE.


The First OF n Proposed Series Decided in
Favor of Local Speakers.
The need of large assembly room for the
Y. N. c. A. was fully demonstrated Saturday
night when over 500 people were crowded into
the gymnasium, or the occasion of public de-
bate. IL an important event, hence the
large attendance. Representatives Of the lit
erary society OF the local association battled for
honors with a couple of debaters from the New
York association over the question of which
produced the greatest good TO mankind-the
American or the French revolution. This de-
bate was the first of series that has been
| planned between the Washington society and
those of Philadelphia and New York,
j OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY.
Mr.. Geo. W. Drew, the president of the So
ciety, alluded to the scheme In his remarks,
| which opened the exercises of the evening.
\ He said, addressing the New York debaters:
As our society is organized for the purpose Of
! the Announcements OF its members in literary
culture. to learn the art of public speaking and
also TO acquire practical knowledge OF parlia-
mentary law. We are in close relation with
your alr,s and purposes. Ibis kindred thought
and desire. however. We :aink. should not be
single to the literary society of this or any
other one city, and il our efforts are crowned
with success the time Is not far distant when
we will be members of a national organization
OF literary societies Of the Young Mems Chris
tian Association, IN which we hope every
state in the Union will be represented.
1.-The joint debate tonight is q step forward In
this direction. 1t is the first of its kind we
have had with airy society of another city,
With this as a commencement of public debates
and the one that is to be held i'll Philadelphia
on the l1th of next month. together with others
which We have arranged with several other
states, IL will be our endeayor. with their CO.
operation, to bring about friendship that We
hope viii result in q national organization Of
our literary societies. In my opinion 1t Is
feasible. There are several organizations Of a
like nature, such as the Christian Endeavor,
St. Andrews Brotherhood, the Amateur
Athletic Union, the Epworth League aud sew
eral others. Why not have a national organi-
cation of literary societies which have for
their purposes the means Of immediate and
inexhaustible enjoyment tn man and the culti-
walton of his mind? Superior intelligence is
becoming every year more necessary for the
successful conduct of the most ordinary pur-
suit With the means OF communication and
transportation Of today the world is but one
vast community. The large attendance Of our
friends here tonight We hope lis an indication
OF the interest they feel in our Efforts.
THE DIsPurASrs AND THEIR EFFoErs-
The debate of the evening was conducted by
Messrs Fred. Z. Tasker, Pickens Neagle and c.
E. Paul for Washington on the affirmative, and
-AtSsfS- W. H. tfOutftf ana geo. H.
for New York on the negative. The latter size
was q man short, Mr.. Geo. W. Cassatt, who was
TO have taken part, being i'll, but Mr.. Clontier
was granted the privilege Of making two
speeches.
The question was so framed that the Wash
ingtonlIns Upheld the results OF the American
revolution as being more productive Of uni
versal benefit than the French war. The de-
bate lasted an hour and half and at its con-
elusion the referee, Justice Harlan, awarded
the palm OF victory to the local men. His re-
marks were quite humorous and elected con-
siderable applause. particularly when he said:
JUSTICE HARIAN's REMARKS.
1T is the first time in my judicial career
that have been called upon to decide a case
on the spot have been able, usually to manage
judicial proceedings before me so as to give
me an opportunity to sleep on them over night
and In important cases to consult with my wife, |
wish to say that the scheme Of these debates
is very creditable to this organization and
hope they will be continued l want to say
also. without tiattery, that the speeches which
We have heard tonight are better than some l
often hear in the court room, and, l am quite !
sure, better than some l zee reported il the
Congressional Records"
The arrangements for .he debate were under |
the charge of q committee consisting of Messrs. |
W p. Freeman, Z. Paul and Geo. W. Drew.
The literary society is managed by a COM |
mittee designated at the last meeting Of the |
board of directors OF the association as fol- |
lows: Mr.. Drew. chairman; Fred. Z. Tasker, |
c. Z. Paul, 9. d. Spangler and q. W. Good |
VIII.
The next JON. debate in the series will take |
place In Philadelphia January IL, between
4 piesentatlves Of the ASSOCIATION OF that city
and the f1ilowing young men from here: j.
Cabel Williamson, W. Z. freeman and Chas
b Titus The question Is whether or not the
protective tariff has beneficial effect upon
the manufacturing and iaboring classes of the
country. Washington has been assigned the
negative side. Following this there will be
another joint debate IN New York some time in
February. when the young men who were
defeated Saturday nigh: will have an oppor-
tunity TO obtain revenge.