Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-09
A SPIRITED DEBATE.
The Liquor Question the SubJect-An
Interesting Program.

Interesting Program.
Friends of the Spencerian Business Col
lege. as we'll 81 large number of the
members Of the Women's Christian Tenn
perance Union and their followers, assem-
bled last evening in Metzerott's Hall to
hear a debate on the resolution that the
use Of alcoholic liquor is injurious demon
aliZing and destructive to the individual,
the family, the community. and the ma
ton, and that its manufacture and sale
as beverage should be prohibited by law
under heavy penalties. The debate, which
was the chief attraction of the evening,
was supplemented by a literary and musi-
cal program Of unusual merit. The enter
tainment opened with a song, by Mr.. r.
Clinton Ballinger, which was enthusiastic
cally encored. A recitation entitled, "A
Girl of the PERIOD" by Mr.. Henry W.
Samson, was appreciated. and then the
popular Philharmonic Quartet and Mrs
Harriet Mills sang the odd Oaken Buck
ct arranged for quintet, by Mr.. Arthur
Percy Harris. in their inimitable usual
style. OF course, the rendition met with
very great favor and the vocalists were
forced to respond to double encore. Mr..
Percy S. Foster. the well-known leader of
the Moody Choir. was booked for a solo.
and he preceded his number by request
adding that he had made that condition
when he agreed to appear. The gathering
was agreeable, and Throw Out the Life
Line rang out in rousing manner.
The time had now arrived for the Ge-
bate, which was in response to an invita-
ton of the District of Columbia W. c. r.
U. Mr.. Henry c. Spencer of the District
of Columbia, as chairman of the discus
sion. preceded eleven speakers, who took
seats on the stage. Mr.. Spencer. in a brief
Introductory speech. referred pleasantly
to those who were to participate in the de-
c. Brown Of Of New York. for the atfirma-
the next speaker Vas James s. smyth of
Virginia. but Mr.. Spencer read a telegram
from that person. IN which it was stated
that travel way Blocked here" wherever
he may have Been and he requested, if no
objections We're offered, that Mrs. Spencer
would read the main points of his argu-
ment in the rega tive. he having left his
paper with the hshd of the college. Mrs.
Spencer stated that she never expected
that any combination Of circumstances
would arise under which she would be
Obliged to appear publicly otherwise in
the defense of the liquor traffic. but in
order that there might be no injustice done
the NEGATIVE dehaters. she read the paper:
Mr.. Albert a. Colhurn Of the District of
Columbia next ROSE in behalf of the af-
firmative. and Mr.. William s. StamDer of
Virginia followed him. The other speak
eIs were Miss Anna A. Hays of Nebraska,
Mr.. Al!ister S. Langille of Maryland. Miss
Louise S. Recnmann OF New York. and
MIR. George J. Hesselman of Illinois. for
the af1IrmatlVe, ana MISS Agnes S!eaNln OF
Canada William W. Blakiston of Mary
land, Miss Alice p. Bell of Maryland and
Mr.. Ralph II. Riddleberger of Virginia, for
the defense
The remarks of Mr.. Riddleherger were
particularly spirited. but all the speakers
were warmly applauded. The arguments
advanced, pro and con, were interesting.
and in some instances. highly amusing.
The resolution was submitted to the au-
dience on the merits Of the debate. and
then on the merits Of the question The
result was a majority vote in favor of the
affirmative upon the merits of the debate
and unanimous vote in favor of the reso-
luton its own merits.
The Philharmonic Quartet. comprising
Mrs. Anna Craig-Hills and Miss Grace
Lynne Mccullough. sopranos, and Miss ST.
monds and Miss Stidham, contraltos. again
appeared and sang double number. Go.
Weep as 1 Have Wept.' and Brother.
Come Home" The selections were sung in
superior manner and then laughable
farce. entitled "a Pair of Gloves with
Miss Martha A. Hey. Mr.. Walter W. Mis-
cheaux Mr.. H. G. Spencer, Mr.. William
r. Colburn and Miss Arleville Pittman in
the cast, brought the enjoyable evening to
G. close.