The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-08
THE TAR HEELS WON
Over the Crackers in the In
ter-CoIIegiate Debate.
The Debates Who Tried 10 Maintain That the
English System Of Government is
Best Couldn't Do II.
Especial to News and Observer

Especial to News and Observer
Chapel Hill n. c., April THE Uni
versity of North Carolina won the
fourth annual intercollegiate debate
from the University of Georgia last
evening in Gerard Hail. and it was a
victory worth winning for as the Hon.
Robert Douglass said in delivering
the decision, The debate was of
very high order and the excellence
of the debaters on both sides was
most Marked But" he added,
there is a preponderance and i'm JUS
tice we must unanimously give the
decision to the young men from the
University OF north Carolina The
applause was deafening-in fact there
arose mighty shout from the throats
of that audience.
The query for debate was. Re
solved That the English system OF
Government answers better to the
needs of free and self-governing
people than does that of the United
States" Georgia. through her rep
! resentatives, Messrs. Il. Hume Smith,
and c. +. Wellington had decided TO
defend the English side of the ques-
ton, while North Carolina, through
her representatives, Messrs. ID. Pres
ton Parker and Wiley II. Swift, de
Tended the American system.
DR.. Geo. Il. Winston, president of
the a. and NJ. College, acted as presi-
dent of the debate and Hon. Robert
M. Douglass, of the Supreme Court,
Frank l.. Fuller. Esq, of the Durham
bar, and Rev. Theodore III. Bratton,
president of ST. Mary's. acted as the
committee to decide the debate.
Mr. II. Home Smith. of Georgia,
made first speech. His main argu-
ment was the superiority of the
House of Commons. the Ministry.
House of Lords and Crown over our
Congress. President and Supreme
Court. He argued that England al
ways had House Of Commons and
Ministry that stood in touch with
the people and that having no writ
ten constitution. laws were made to
supply the immediate demand with
out the intervention of constitution
and Supreme court.
Mr.. Parker. of North Carolina, fol-
lowed. He showed that the Ministry
forty members of the House of Com
mons and a handful of Lords consti-
tuted a quorum and that twenty-one
members Of the House with two Lords
could completely remodel the gov
eminent before daylight Spoke of
observation-disclosures social and politi-
cal and showed an absence of all in
England and their presence here. Mr..
Parker spoke at length upon the sys-
tenn of government in America and
drew a striking contrast to that of
England.
Mr.. Wellington. of Georgia, was
the next speaker. He devoted good
deal of his time 10 the evils of our
goyernment-the power of the Speak
err of the House, an antagonistic Sen
ate. the vetoing power of the Presi-
dent and the dangerous delay of the
committee room. He showed how the
English Ministry framed the bills,
spoke on them, mad them passed by a
House that was always in favor of
the people.
But Mr.. Swift, who followed him
drew IA different picture. The Minis
try ruled. Often it was one minister
Treaties were made involving great
problems without the knowledge of
| the House, war was declared by a
single mans whim. He attacked the
House of Lords born Lords-not the
reward of merit. House of Commons
did not represent the people. Mr..
! Swift devoted most of his time-o com
| pairing the two government and show
ing how England's semi-feudal sys-
! tenn was in utter contrast to our free
and equal system of government.
Mr.. Smith made Il short rejoinder
! for Georgia which closed the debate.
Both Universities acquitted
themselves proudly. Georgia's rep
resentatives proved themselves most
| thorough gentlemen and made a pro-
found impression by the manly way
| in which they accepted defeat.