The Washington times., 1894-06-09
COLLEGE BOYS IN DEBATE
Law Students Of the Columbian Uni
yersity in Battle Of Logic.
EVENING OF FORENSIC EFFORT
A Large Audience Hears Brilliant Speakers
Argue the Subject Of Providing for the
Nations Government-World's History
and Current Events Cited as criterions.

and Current Events Cited rs Criterions.
The auditorium OF the Columbian University
was thronged last night on the occasion OF
prize debate by the law school debating So
ciety on the question, Resolved, That the re-
lations existing between the Legislative and
executive branches of the English govern
ment are better adapted to American condi-
tions than those existing in this country"
The exercises were opened with selection
by the Columbian Banjo and Guitar Club, fol-
lowed by an address OF welcome by Julius W.
Stuart, vice president OF the society, who
briefly outlined the work accomplished by
the society during the past year.
The debate was opened by James NJ. Gray,
Of the senior class, in the affirmative. Mr..
Gray asserted that the English syst EN- Of
government was the 'blossoming flower Of
which the American system was the bud.
The veto power. he declared, is an aban-
doned element Of the English system.
Albert d. Spangler, OF tine senior class.
opened the opposition with the statement that
all that has been accomplished is directly due
to the American form of government. In
consideration OF the extensive territory con-
stituting this country. the American system OF
government is the only practical one for this
country.
The affirmative side was then eXpoused by
J. II. Thomas, of the postgraduate course,
who said tha, the constant and bitter strife
between the legislative and executive
branches OF our government has caused great
delay in executing the demands OF the people.
Legislation islenacted by our Congress which
Ia ruhfcaltv nud II M ha said pnrnpGaiy
antagonistic to the will of the people. In
proof OF this assertion Mr.. Thomas cited
the case of the Mckinley law, which was
ordered repealed by the people. but owing to
a refractory Senate and the veto power of a
Republican President still remains on the
statute books.
j. Walter Barbour OF the postgraduate
course. argued that the fact that the founders
OF our country in their wisdom adopted the
present system, separating the legislative and
executive branches OF the government, is
proof sufficient that this system is the only
practicable one for the United States. The
fabric they erected stands firm to-day. and
the American people find no fault with it.
..The executive and legislative branches
should not be consolidated" said Mr.. Bar
bour. ''nor the supreme power placed in the
hands OF the House OF Representatives"
Adolphe Mcneil Sayre. of the junior class,
argued that while the supreme power is in
one branch 1t will be long before such author
ity is abused All the successors OF George
Washington, through the medium OF our gov
ernment. have engaged in the corrupt prac-
tice OF placing friends in offices OF response
bility, whether such friends are competent or
not. These friends practically preside over
the departments and affect the whole fabric Of
our system. The Speaker of the House ap-
points chairmen OF committees, who scramble
for precedence; committees report on bills
acenrflfpy n their macmillan and gaiNsh
views. and the legislative branch is thus seri-
ously affected.
On account Of the complicated system we
have adopted few people know the nature Of
pending legislation or the leading advocates
OF bills of vital importance. The Secretaries
constituting the Cabinet are empowered to
thwart Congress, and SO aid in complicatIng
matters. Our system OF government is an
astronomical one. We judge our leaders
through the luminosity of their reputation
and not through solid worth. The air is
filled with charges and counter charges. and
the people seek in vain to fix the responsible
ity. Our political leaders become great in a
number OF cases by the merest chance, of
which the most po; ten,ious feature is that OF
living in the doubtful states"
This condition of Affairs the speaker at
tributed to the chaotic state Of our system of
government.
"The people in England insist upon electing
prime minister of unguestioned ability to
direct the affairs of the lower house of Parlia-
ment The prime minister selects aid in all
affairs. The ministry is made up of the
ablest men, and every incentive throughout
their system OF government is offered to
talent.
Every bill offered in Parliament is carefully
criticised and if passed meets with the un-
qualified approval of the people. By their
system the strong man rises and the weak
nm foil for ha paptla in "a N ipfalliOapt
and national manner"
The negative was then supported by Wal
ter T. Colquitt. who said that the affirmative
81 ie would place the supreme power in the
hands of the House of Representatives.
This would be most dangerous move as
the result would be q most tyrannical style of
legislation. The British model is inapplica-
BILE to this country because OF the vast extent
OF our territory.
The British system does we'll enough for a
small island. but is absolutely impracticable
here. Our system presents the most perfect
safeguard agans. tyrannical legislation Dos
sible. Its wonderful framework has attracted
the admiration OF all enlightened nations"
"The founders OF our system knew that the 4
rights and even liberty of our people could
not be preserved without separating the legis-
lative and executive powers. The constitution
adopted in 1889 has found solid country. No
one of the powers can transcend its powers
without being checked by the Others"
Every state," said the speaker. "has
recognized the wisdom OF separating the
legislative and executive branches.
The negative side OF the debate was closed
by Albert d. Spangler. 1.-The supreme power
in England he said. sis lodged in the House
of Commons. but there is bound to be a reac-
tionnry step taken on that point
Mr. Spangler created smoll furore in the
audience by yenturing the assertion that this
country would be benefited by a Republican
Congress. ''Hasty legislation is rs bad" ne
insisted las sluggish Legislation" In con-
clusion. the speaker said that a system which
has stood the test IN periods of war as well as
peace is a correct one. and this test our sys-
len has stood IN n remarkable manner.
James Il. Gray concluded the debate for
the affirmative side.
1--WE did not abandon the English system
at the founding Of the government" said Mr.
Gray, "but have retained many of the feat
ures of tie legislative policy of our mother
country.
In 500 years the English developed their
system in vogue in 1877 while We have devel-
oped in 100 years an improved version of
their system as employed in the year referred
to. Cur system can be further improved"
concluded Mr.. Gray. ''by adhering to the
framework OF the English government
At the conclusion of the debate the judges,
consisting of Senator Perkins. Hon. A. R.
Spofford. and Hon. Calderon Carlisle. re-
turned decision in favor Of the affirmative
side of the debate.
At the District Buildings.