Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-20
STUDENTS IN DEBATE
Representatives of Columbian and
Georgetown Universities.
RESTRICTION OF SUFFRAGE THE ISSUE
List of the Debaters and Others
Who Participate.
z f Il SON AL 81 ETCH HE S

The Columbian students will meet the
students of Georgetown University at
o'clock this evening in a forensic contest
at the Lafayette Opera House. This will
be an event of more than ordinary interest
to both the students and friends of the
two universities. About four years ago
debates between these universities were
suspended, and although in the interim eff
forts have been made to renew the rea-
tons it remained for this years intercol-
legiate debate committees to accomplish
the desired end. All past difficulties have
been amicably adjusted, and the students
Interested in debating society work hail
the approach of the contest with much
satisfaction,
Columbian has extended an invitation to
Georgetown, and this evening will witness
the reinauguration of debate on terms mu-
tually satisfactory to all. Reserved seat
tickets have been issued for both the stage
and the house A number of the promi-
nent men of the city have been invited to
occupy seats upon the stage. The debate
will be presided over by Mr.. James w.
Crooks of Illinois, chairman of the debat-
ing society of Columbian University, and
Mr.. w. Edwin Knowles of Illinois, chair
man of the debating society of George
town University, will be seated upon the
stage with the presiding officer
Each school will be represented by three
speakers and each speaker will be allowed
twenty minutes, and the affirmative will
have five minutes for rebuttal.
Work of the Chairmen.
The chairmeu of the two committees. Mr..
Lemuel r. Via and Mr.. Leo 2. Harlow,
have arranged for all things necessary to
make the affair a great success. Rules
have been agreed upon by which the de-
bate is to be governed, and the presidents
of the TWO societies are to keep time on
the speakers, each looking after the inter
ests of his respective school.
The proposition for discussion is: That
the right of suffrage should be restricted
by an educational qualification. The
Georgetown debaters will argue for the
affirmative. and the negative will be upheld
by the Columbian men. The judges Will
be Mr. J. NJ. Griggs. United States Attor
uey General; Mr.. George Gray, United
States district judge, and one of the Paris
peace commissioners, and Mr.. Shelby NJ.
Cullom, United States senator from ILL
nois. Music will be rendered by Mr.. Haley's
band.
Opening of the Debate.
After the address of welcome by the
presiding officer, Mr. Martin Conboy of New
York will be introduced. who will open the
debate for Georgetown University. Mr..
IS 1878 He graduated from Gonzaga Col
lege, Washington, D. c., in 1898, with an
\. b. degree and was graduated. also.
from the law department of Georgetown
University in the same year Mr.. COnboy
was president of his class during his Junior
year at the Georgetown Law school, ana
president of the debating society during
two terms. He was awarded second prize
in the law class of both his junior ana
senior years, and is now taking the post
graduate course in law at Georgetown Uni
Versity.
Mr. Walter Scott Smith of Alabama will
open the debate for Columbian. Mr. Smith
was born in Linville, Ala. July 20, 1919.
He was educated in his native state, gradu-
ating from Linvine College. June l, 1885,
with the degree of A. Il. During his col
legiate course he was often the representa-
tive of his class and also of his college II
oratorical contests. and has won a number
Of medals i'll debate and oratory. Mr.
Smith entered Columbian University Law
School III the fail of 1896. and graduated
with the class of 1888. with the LIB. de-
gree. He represented the graduating class
on the prize debate last session. and was
awarded first debater's prize. He is at the
present time student in the School of Com
narrative jurisprudence and Diplomacy at
oOlum bian University.
The Seconds.
Mr. James II. Higgins of Rhode Island,
second speaker for Georgetown, and third
vile, Z. l., but while very young removed
TO Pawtucket in the same state He was
graduated from the PaWtucket High
School in 1894, and from Brown University.
Providence, r. l., with the A. B. degree, in
1898. During his collegiate career at Brown
University he won in the Hicks prize de-
bate, delivered one of the Three Class Day
Addresses, and was one of the commence
mcnt orators Of 1888. He entered the senior
law class at Georgetown University last
October. having taken preparatory legal
studies while college. Mir. Higgins at
Of the best denaters i'll the Law School OF
Georgetown University.
Nj. Alvah W. Patterson, the second
speaker for Columbian. and the fourth
speaker Of the evening, comes from the
state of Oregon. He is widely known in
the newspaper and political circles of his
state, having served one term president
OF the IresS ASSOCIATION OF the state of
Oregon Nhlle president of the Press AS
sociaton he was orator for the Grand
Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of that domain
During the tifty-tifth Congress he served
as clerk to the arid land committee of the
House of representatives. AT present he
is student in the Law School of Column
ban University, and expects to receive the
degree or LIB. this year. Mr.. Patterson
represented the Junior class of the Law
ochool on the Columbian prize debate last
) ear and was awarded second prize
The Closing Orators.
Mr.. John J. Kirby, the closing speaker
ior georgetown and fifth speaker of the
evening, halls from Massachusetts and il
twenty-five years of age. He graduated
from the High School of Marlboro. Mass
IN 1872. In the fall of 1892 he entered Ros-
Ion College and was graduated from there
with an A. Il. degree. While at Boston Col
iege he won the Fulton debater's medal
ana was c1oslns speaker in the debate he
tween Georgetown University and Boston
College, held in Boston in 1895 In the fall
OF 1877 he entered Georgetown University
10 pursue postgraduate studies and TO take
a course of law; was awarded an A NJ de-
gree In June of last year, and is now presi-
dent OF the senior law class of GEORGETOWN
Law. School.
Mr.. Francis W. II. Clay, the last sneaker
for Columbian and sixth speaker of the
evening. was born in Kentucky Mr.. CLAY
Is a direct descendant of the immortal Hem
ry Clay; was educated at Cornell Uuiver-
sity. from which he graduated with A. NJ
degree and Is a graduate of the Law School
of Columbian University. a graduate of
patent law. and is now pursuing the study
of diplomacy in Columbian University. He
represented his class in the prize debate at
Columbian University in 1897 and was
awarded the first prize. At present Mr..
Clay is one of the special examiners in the