The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-06
NJ SIGMA RHO.
Interesting Public Debate at Richmond
College Last Night.

The Richmond College buildings pre-
scented an unusually bright appearance
last night. The handsome Thomas Me-
mortal Hall above the spacious library
was lighted for the annual public debate
of the Mu Sigma Rho Literary Society.
The pouring rain could not dampen me
oratorical fervor Of the young parucl-
pants. nor qucnch the spirit OF az tnelI
friends. for a. large crowd came lhrous i
the elements 10 enjoy the literary spread.
Mr. r. NJ Hartman presided, ana dttsF
a few appropriate words or welcome, IN
troduced Mr. W. 5 Mcneil or South
Carolina. who read IN an excellent manner
ByrOns Prisoner OF Chilloh. u
Mr.. e. O'Bannon. OF Louisiana, de-
claimed Kari, the Martyr" Mr.. O BAN
mons rendition was highly dramatic. AZ
held his audience in ~ spell which was
broken only by hearty applause II INC
The question for debate was: Resolved;
That the Government should own aho
control all the railroad systems WITHIN
its limits" and 81 Was ably discussed py
Messrs. .. /. owens. Of NdnseIhond couh-
". Va, IL. l.. NoIheet. OF Southampton
county. Va; q. n. Skipwtth and J. Al
fred Garrett, OF Leesburg. Va
Mr. owens first for the affirmative PIC
rured I'm vivid words the evils Of the pres
ent railroad system, which, designed Tor the
public good, serves the private greed ana
| is the Sodom and Gomorrah OF nhahce
and laborod eioquently 10 sho" tha'
when the railroad passes under govern
mental owner ship and control death
.blow is given 30 corporations. The funeIA al
knell Is rung to those who have been per
petrating frauds. practicing countless dls-
| honesties and trampling under loot mo
| rights OF the people. We stand IN the
| ewes of the outside world az d free pco-
| ne but vet we are IN bonds OF slavery
! 10 the millionaire and the railroad mag
nate" r..
lie concluded with these words Shall
the Goddess OF Liberty 6ive place 70 me 9,
money god? No the people shall be free.
Mr. N2rfeet. first Tor The negative, ad-
mitted the truth OF the statement by
, George Stephenson. railroad pioneer, that
where combina ton IS possible competl-
| ton Is impossible" but claimed that the
Affirmative argue for greater centrallza-
| tlon OF power than az present. which they
| claim not to desire He used a fine array
| Of railroad information In making m able
plea for tho existing railroad system, ana
said among other thin b. that JUST a.
| gas for the city Of Richmond could be
| furnished faccording TO reports recently
| published in rhe Times az less cost D'
| private companies than by the municlpaii-
| ~, private control OF railroads Is best.
| Mr. Skipwith. the second on the aHirina-
| tive, although an experienced speaker,
| ana though he has previously dlscusse'
| this Question IN political campaigns hau
| prepared written address. which set iortn'
! in an elegant and attractive style, argu-
\ ments APPARENTLY exhaustive anu coHS'u'
| sive. -,
! Mr.. Garrett, second for the negative
| began his speech, the last or the evening
| with contagious enthusiasm. ana showed
how the comparison OF the railroad y s.
| tenn with the postal SUSTAIN WAS iAise' io'