The times., 1899-05-28

rich men, some being Senators because
they were rich, and some being rich be-
cause they are Senators" The large pow
ers of the President were referred to- The
unbending power of the Constitution was
also spoken of 10 show the undemocratic
nature of the Government.
Mr.. Davis said the negative side would
deliver three eulogies on the Government
of the United States but that was not the
object of the debate. neither was it to be
understood that the word "democatic'
government meant a better government
Mr.. Davis talked very fuently and earnest
ly and at his conclusion he was literally
applauded.
Edgar B. Merritt, for the negative. spoke
next. He began by reciting the organiza
ton of the English Government from the
time of the Magma Charta. and said that
| no government could be democratic whose
| ruler was a hereditary ruler and not the
| choice OF the people. The courts of coun
| try were the index 10 its democracy, he
maintained. and English judges were ap-
| pointed by the Queen, while the judges of
our Federal courts were appointed by Ine
| President and approved by the Senate
There could be no true democracy where
there was an established church. and there
was no such church in the United States.
| Abraham Lincoln's ascendancy to the
] d
was also strong proof of our democracy
Mr Merritt quoted GLADSTONE in a sentence
that this Government was the most unmit
| igated democracy that ever existed.
| Equality and fraternity were unknown
| quantities in England, while in this coun-
try those qualities were fundamental. Mr.
| Merritt closed with burst of eloquence on
our achievements.
l Adam McMullen, for the affirmative,
seemed to be favorite with the audience,
and when he arose was given a cordial
reception. He began by answering the ar
guments OF the previous speaker and then
launched into an extensive argument on
the practical workings of the English Gov
ernment, from which he deduced many
points which he declared proved that cur
/ Government was not as democratic as Great
Britain. Our legislative and executive
branches were entirely independent of each
! other
Mr.. McMuilen scored a strong point by
] touching on the notification of the in
come tax law by the Supreme Court, one
member of that body being able to re-
I verse the decision of the entire Legislative
branches of the Government and the de-
sire Of the people. If unrestricted action
4 was democracy, Great Britain in her prac-
teal workings was surely the most demo-
cratic. concluded Mr. MeMullen. The au-
( dienee was completely won by Mr.. Nc
Mullen's -oratory and accorded him hearty
I and prolonged applause.
Jabe c. Reader, for the negative. dwelt
/ at length on the restricted franchise in
! England. and then demanded that the af-
iirmative side prove who there was in
the English House OF Lords or Commons
who represented the laboring classes OF
that country. The defeat of the home rule
/ bill for the House of Lords was referred
TO as an illustration of the aristoc-acy OF
that body.
Mr.. Reader concluded his argument with
recital of our progress and united front
in the recent war.
Albert r. Stuart. the last speaker for the
affirmative said he would adopt the eu-
logy on the United States Of the frsl
speaker on the negative as his sentiments
He was not to argue against this country
and charged the second affirmative speaker
with coming with a cut and dried
speech and trying to lead of on
side issue as to the merits Of the two Gov
ernments. He then covered the same
points before referred to as to our Gov
erumental organization. The evils of nom
mating caucusses were made an emphati,
point. Party platforms were like car plat
forms. he said. made to get in on but moi
10 ride on. Great Britain was not better