Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-26
WASHINGTON WON
In the Debating Contest With . Baltimore
Team.


Tho Washington team defeated the Baltimore
team That was what was heard on all sides
at the Y. NJ c. A. building last evening at the
conclusion OF the great joint debate. There
was a good deal Of satisfaction expressed over
this result Local pride was mingled with
other considerations in the breast Of the aver
age ndherent os the Washington team and
added to his Joy. 1t was recalled that short
time ago q team OF debaters from the literary
society of the association in this city went over
to Baltimore and tackled q team representing
the association in that city.
The homo team got away with the visitors in
great style. and while tho Washington men
gavo q very plausible account of the affair
vet the fact remained that the decision of the
more men came over for the purpose Of giving
their Washington brethren satisfaction. The
debate was held in the gymnasium aud there
was a good sized audience present. which was
disposed to bestow applause literally and COM
mend the eloquencs and the logic Of the
speakers.
Mr.. W. p. Freeman acted as chairman TO see
that none of the rules governing debates was
fractured, Secretary Pugh held the watch and
cx-Representstive Pavson Of Illinois occupied
the judges stand Then the stream Of srgu-
ment was turned on and the three speakers on
each. side alternately occupied the plat
form and discussed tho question, Re-
solved. That there should be an edu-
cational qualification for the right Of
suffrage" The Washington men had the affirm
ative side Of this question aud the Baltimore
men the negative. Washington was repre-
scented by W. L. Eldridge, Geo. w. Drew and
/. Cabell Williamson; Baltimore by Edward Z.
Matthews. Chas III. Porter and Chas. +. Harley.
Against the doctrine Of manhood suffrage. the
government of the people aud no taxation
without representation was arrayed the evils OF
ignorance. the rule OF the boss. the whisky
shop and the degradation of the people.
The stately argument Of Drew, the persua-
sive force of Eldridge and the fervid eloquence
Of Williamson were all conferred upon this
question, and during the time allotted to them
they sought to undermine the position Of their
opponents and establish their own. The Balt-
more men made gallant fight and received
due share of encouragement from the audi.
ence. 1t is perhaps not too much 20 say that
the decision of Judge Payson was, If not antic-
ipated, at least expected.
The judge before announcing his decision
made some interesting remarks in regard to
the value OF debating lyceums. He attributed
the origin of the republican party to the agita-
ton OF public questions in the debating
societies of the country. and said
that such organizations tended to diffuse
information. He then complimented both
sides for the ability displayed in
the debate. He laid down as the rule govern
ing decisions III such contests that the award
should be made to the side displaying the
greatest aptness of illustration, strength of
argument and appropriateness of conclusion.
He therefore decided in favor of the afiir mative
There was a great outburst OF applause and
the audience dispersed well pleased with the
evenings entertainment.