Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-23

A Debate ON the Subject by the Philodemi'
Society OF Georgetown University.

A Debate ON the Subject BY the Phiiodemic
Society OF Georgetown University.
CASTOR Memorial Hall at Georget town College
was last night filed with the friends Of those
who we're to debate for the R. T. Merrick
medal, valued at sl0O. The majority Of the
audience seemed to be composed Of young
ladies', who had ventured out despite the slip
perry condition Of the sidewalks. On the plat
form we're seated Joseph C. Mattingly Of Mary
land, class of '93, who acted a. chairman,
and on his right were those who took the
affirmative side in the debate, while the mega
tives were seated on his left.
The Judges were seated in the first row Of the
audience and we're Commodore F. NJ. Ramsay,
USN.; Representative ]. d. Richardson. mem
Der of the House District committee, and Repre-
sentative Joseph f. Washington from Tennes-
see. On either side of the judges were seated
the teachers Of the various branches in the col
lege.
ORIGIN OF THE SOCIETY.
Promptly at 8 the chairman, Mr.. Mat
tingly, made the opening remarks, giving
history Of the Philodemic Society, how it orig
mated, its aims and what it had accomplished.
The society founded in 1880 by Father
Ridsn. former president OF Georgetown Col
lege. The medal for which they were now
about to debate was donated by the late X. f.
Merrick in 1870. He stated that the judges
would decide upon the winner OF the medal,
which would be awarded at the annual COM
mencement- The subject Of the debate was:
Resolved. That a system Of self-government in
local affairs with officials elected by popular
suffrage ought to be granted to the District OF
Columbia
Mr.. WELLER OPENS THE DEBATE.
Joseph 1. Welleref Washington, class of '93.
was the first speaker, taking the affirmative
side He stated that when the District was
coded to Congress the same laws were to govern
the coded part as governed the state. and as a
consequence thereof the people enjoyed the
right of suffrage.
The first voting in the present District OF
Columbia occurred in June. 1902. ard the
qualifications for the right of suffrage were
| amended more or lesS in 1912, 1870 and 1Si0
| and changed to a territorial form OF govern
ment in 1871. which was made permanent In
| 1878. 1t never was intended by the founders OF
| the government that the right of suffrage
| should be denied the citizens of the District
| Why, then. was the right taken away! Negroes.
/ negroes. the sole cause He quoted the
| Constitution relating to the fourteenth amend
ment. and that the politicians in the District
| in order to get around the suffrage question
| took away from the voters OF the District their
! right to vote. The other objections to voting,
| some of which were the noise and confusion at
| election times the cosmopolitan nature OF the
| inhabitants. the speaker tore to shreds. A
| British ambassador was quoted as having said
that the very capital of the nation was dis
grace to republicanism. Are We not he
asked. '.as intelligent and competent
as the voters in other parts OF
the country? In this respect We
are as bad off and even worse than If we were
| under u monarchy" He Systematically referred
, to the manner in which Congress legiSlates for
the District. One or two hours semi monthly
are given and very often that little time is occu
pied with other things, and no wonder. The
| congressman come here to vote for the interest:
of their constituents and not for the District
/ He spoke Of the laws governing the District
and while one law held good in Washington 4
different law on the same sub ect was in vogue
in Georgetown and an entirely different one IL
the county.
MARX M'NEAL IN THE NEGATIVE.
Mark McNeai 80, on the negative, said tina
the right of suffrage was principle granted t.
a citizen bv a state and that the state had
right at any time to withdraw it. Taxation
without representation was an outrage ant
inconsistent with the laws of the country. bu
as Congress is composed OF free American
people they have reason to Cypress, a
nothing is to be gained. The failure OF tn
Philadelphia convention to instruct Congres
was the sole of the present state OF affairs
Popular government has been OF no vaiue
the citizens Of Washington. 1t took twenty
seven reports to clear one old canal, an
millions Of dollars were squandered by the pop
ular government. Nothing could be of NOR
significance" he said. than what You were an
what you are" Congress and manufacturer
have not built the city up to its present cor
diton, but all is solely due to its being the sea
Of government"
PLAYTHING FOR POLITICAL LEADERS.
Patrick J. Carbon of New York, class OF '99
was the next affirmative speaker. He said tina
popular self government was the result Of
free country. The present form of government
1 is nurse to Putrefaction and source OF man
an evil In six years the government INQUIRE
, a debt Of $50 600 600, which WAS more than th
entire government for SEVENTY years. III
Commissioners execute and frame laws for tn
a District which is against all principle. The
e make law one day, waive it another and 1t is
! law again the next. II is a disgrace that tb
t country is a plaything for political leader
Z That this is q national city is no reason why
c should be governed by Congress. State cap
t tails have always enjoyed the privilege Of votin
i and why should not the District enjoy tn
u same.
t THE CLOSING ARGUMENT.
Martin NJ. Murphy Of California. class Of 3
= was the next speaker. taking the negative sid
: Self-government can be Of two things-a bod
who is not dependent on Congress to sanctio
= its proceedings and body dependent on Coz
gress for the sanction of it's doings. The fir
named is unconstitutional. If it were con
posed of honest men they would be bound
clash with Congress and il composed Of wal
politicians would be corrupt and would subs
die all rights. The present government is Il
only one under the present circumstances tn
can secure peace, content and happiness to Il
District.
Prof Donch was the leader Of the orchestr
which was in the gallery.
The speeches were interspersed with good
selections of music.
The decision of the judges will not be mac
public till the end Of the school term and VI
be announced with the awarding Of the 9th
prizes on graduation day.