The Washington times., 1894-10-14
TOUCHED UPON POLITICS.
Debaters at the y NJ. C. A. Lyceum
Warmly Discuss Municipal
Government


The debaters at the lyceum of the Young
Mems Christian Association dipped slightly
into the discussion Of politics last night in the
consideration of the question chosen for the
wordy warfare
The subject dealt more with political parties
in the abstract, but some of the debaters were
inclined to give it a partisan slant. The ques-
ton was;
Resolved, That the government and con-
troll of our large cities by political parties is
financial and moral failure''
The president of the lyceum, Mr.. W. P.
Weston. had the affirmative side. and Mr.. W.
Z. Freeman opposed him in the argument.
Previous 10 the debate Mr.. n. p. Barksdale
read an essay upon George Eliot. Mr.. W. U.
Watson being called to the chair, Mr.. Weston
began MS argument, Mr.. Fred L. Tasker hav-
ing been chosen Judge.
Mr. Weston spoke of the importance of the
question, as shown by the deep interest being
taken in the consideration of municipal gov
ernments upon all sides The magazines
were filed with these discussions The papers
were giving daily accounts of the investiga-
tions into municipal corruption in many of
the large cities, which was attributable to the
aroused interest In these subjects.
He mentioned Baltimore, Philadelphia, Chi
cago, Cincinnati. Boston. and, last of all, New
York, as evidences of failures both from
financial and moral standpoint. His argyll
ment was filed with statistics from these
cities. He showed where debts existed and
where money had been wasted and where i'm
morality still lurked. He declared without
reserve that 'any city which tolerates a Tam
many Hall is a financial and moral failure"
/ Mr.. Freeman in replying to his opponent
said that the reference to few of the larger
cities was not applicable to all the large cities
! in the country.
"What is the small number he has men,
toned - he said. 'to the numerous well gov
erned and well-controlled cities OF the
nationY' He conceived that the government
! by political parties" meant the continuance
OF republican form of government. "Abol-
ish that and you acknowledge to the Old
World that we are incapable OF governing
ourselves
Other debaters were slow to present them
selves after the gavel had shut of Mr.. Free
mans speech. Finally Mr.. W. Preston Will
hanson came forward after several calls of
his name and attributed the failure of all the
large city governments to the fact that they
were controlled by the Democrats.
Under Republican rule, !" he said. 'all this
corruption would be done away with
The other speakers were Mr.. Theophilus
Bray and w. u Watson. The debate dragged
a little here. and Mr.. Williamson was called
upon again and reiterated his statements
that the Democrats were responsible for it all.
The judges decision was as he said, con-
trolled by his own conviction, but was in favor
of the affirmative.
For next Saturday nights debate the ques-
ton, as announced, will be:
Resolved, That the success of Japan in
the war between that country and China will
be in the interest Of civilization"
Mr.. George F. Williams for the affirmative
! and ". U. Watson the negative.