Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-09
LAW STUDENTS DEBATE.
Closing Contest of the Columbian Uni
versity Law school Society.

For many years the debating society at
Columbian University Law School has
brought the work of the term to a close
with prize debate, in which members rep
resenting the various classes of the school
strive for the mastery. a two-fold decision
is rendered by the judges-first as to the
merit of the debate Of the two opposing
forces. and, second, as to the Individual
merit of the arguments. The second de-
cision is the basis for the award of the
prize, sum of money offered by the de-
ba ting society.
Last evening the annual contest took
place in the hall of the university. The
judges were Senator Geo. c. Perkins, Ii
brarian A. r. Spofford and Mr.. Calderon
Carlisle. The question under consideration
was: Resolved, That the relations existing
between the legislative and executive
branches of the English government are
better adapted to American conditions than
those existing in this country
The affirmative of the question received
the support of Messrs. James NJ. Gray, j.
H. Thomas and Adolphe Mcneil Sayre; the
negative was upheld by Messrs. Albert ID.
Spangler. j. Walter Barbour and Walter L.
Colquitt. These speakers, together with the
judges, President yelling of the university
and Vice President Stuart of the debating
society, were seated upon the platform. A
very appreciative audience of friends was
present, and the interest and enthusiasm of
the speakers found a ready response in
them.
The Debate Opened.
The exercises of the evening opened with
a selection by the Columbian University
Banjo and Guitar Clubs. Mr.. Julius w.
Stuart, vice president of the society, well
ccmed the audience in few well-chosen
ard fifty spoken words. He then introduced
Mr.. James Nj. Gray of the senior class, who
opened the debate for the affirmative. Mr..
Gray held that the English government was
higner development Of some of the same
Constitution; that England had enjoyed the
beneht OF many mere years of experience.
ara the system of government that had
the re been evolved would naturally be of a
higher order than cur own. He claimed that
the veto power was useless restriction
upon legislation, and one which the English
government had done away with.
MI. Albert ID. Spangle- in opening the
oeDate Tor the negative, said that the bur-
Gen or proof lay upon his adversaries. He
SAID that even though the affirmative
should prove that the system of England
was beneficial TO that country, they had
yet TO prove its adaptability to the changed
conditions here. He further contended that
the progress and development of this coun-
Try was due in large measure to our sys-
tenn OF government, and that the present
!noae OF government was the most practical
which could be adopted.
"A strong argument for the affirmative
was delivered by Mr.. j. H. Thomas. Mr.. ].
waiter Barbour, the second speaker on the
negative, contended that the present was
the only practicable system of government
for this country.
Mr.. Adolphe Mcneil Sayre made a most
eloquent and able argument in support of
Tie affirmative of the question
Mr.. Walter I. Colquitt next spoke upon
the negative. He held that the British
form OF government was not applicable to
this country on account of the vastness of
our territory.
The Affirmative Won,
The debate was closed for the negative
and affirmative sides by Messrs Spangler
and Gray, who carefully summed up the ar
gum as presented. The judges then
withdrew, and while they were FORMULATING
their decision the Columbian Banjo and
Guitar clubs rendered two selections in n
charming manner. The decision of the
Judges was then rendered by Mr. Spofford.
who said that the affirmative had won bv
the excellence Of their arguments The de-
clsion as to which speaker shall have the
prize VIII be announced at the commence
nent next Tuesday evening
The committee in charge of the arrange
ments Tor the prize debate was as follows.
Brainard Avery, chairman: Geo. F. Win.
iarns, Elias Nathan Butts Lee Mason Jor-
Dan, Frank kyselka, Franklin E. Barrett.
ChaS 49,