The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-08

society's First Anniversnry Happily
Celebrated.

The " ebster-an Debating society cele-
brated it's anniversary last night by
public debate in the Guards Hall.
The programme began with an orches-
trail selection after which Superintendent
Of Schools Ashmore as master Of cere-
monies. introduced Col. George A. Aier-
Ger. who delivered the opening address.
Il pleased him, he said, 10 know that
though no longer able TO take part in the
active life around, in the struggles Of
the younger generations for fame and
fortune. that he could be OF use in life
by cheering on those who sought these
goals. 1t was also pleasant 10 know that
though no longer able 10 swim with the
stream OF social ambition and progress,
nut fcr-ed 10 sit upon The banks and marx
the teeming tide. he was still not a social
rnisfit He touched briefly upon the life
and character of Webster, There is no
more fitting erson after whom the So
ciety could be named. he said
A short sketch OF the life Of Webster
was read by Mr.. r. ". Hohenstein.
ana after an interiude oy the orchestra,
Mr. L. g. Harvey delivered an original
defamation. The FiItest" in which he
painted graphically the social and poliu-
cal needs OF the day. and gave mis- view
Of the measures that might bring a bout
needed reforms.
Ingersolrs Thoughts at the Tomb Of
Napoleon" was recited by Mr.. NJ Meyer
and then the PRINCIPAL debate was taken
up. Il was on the question. Resolved
That an educational ana properly quail
ication should be required OF every voter
in the state" Mr.. RaifOrd Fahiganr,
for the affirmative. spoke first and made
az eloquent plea for the resolution. point
ing out che political and SOCIAL evils from
y nich the na ton TOW suffers owing 10 the
lack of such restrictions. Such an en-
actment by the state would ne said, ban
ism from the polls the purchaseaole els,
ment OF voters and would tend TO place
government offices and Institutions again
on that high level upon which they were
in the times gone by.
Mr. F'anigant was followed for the mega
tive by Mr. Julius W Hohenstein. who,
in an excellent presentation Of his side
OF the question logically pointed out in
crisp and decisive sentences that neither
OF the qualifications embodied in the reso-
luton was a cure for the evils OF politi
cal corruption and bribery. and cited as
an instance UNFOLDING his position Tnat
rot few Of the cases where official cor
ruption and bribery have been brought to
I light the offenders were not the poor ana
the ignorant. but the rich and COMPARE
lively the powerful officeholders. And. ne
further contended. the enactment OF such
a law would unquestOnably tend 20 the
establishment OF a social as wen as rohti-
cel aristocracy, which would be in direct
violation of the first principles OF the con-
sttunon of the United States.
After another interlude by the orchestra
the affirmative side Of the question was
taken up by Mr.. Charles Y. Heheustein
The resolution, he said. did not seek to
make both property and educational quail
fcauons necessary for the use Of the bai-
lot, the and connecting property ard
educa tional' being used in its distinctive
and not in its conjunctive sense. He an
swered his opponents charge that corrup-
ton existed not SO much among the poor
er and uneducated people at the polls as
among those holding political Office and
stating that he was not 50 optimistic as 10
believe that were such resolution 10 be
come a law j, would entirely eradicatz
these evils. but he did believe that il
would do much to eliminate the purchas-
able voter which was after all the root OF
the evils which the resolution combatted.
The second speaker for the negative
was Mr. Edward Fl. Abrams. He, too
pointed out the gross injustice that would
be done a large Fart Of the citizens q
| the country should such a law = passed
! and stated. further more, that i would b.
| in direct violation Of the constitution Ct
| the United States.
All OF the speakers spoke we'll and feel
ingly and the audience warmly appiaudel
| their efforts
| Messrs. A. p. Solomons. ". S. Wilson
| and J. NJ. Cannon who had been an
| pointed as judges Of the debate decided
/ in favor o. the negative side
| Mr.. Ashnore, a s master Of ceremonies
| was on the programme for some CLOSING
| remarks. but seeing Judge Falligant IL
| the hall. called on him instead. Judge Fal
| ligart paid to Col. Mercer a feeling trib
| ute OF frier dship and regard Of which
! the audience showed its hearty and sym
| pathetic approval by rounding of eacE
/ period with bursts Of applause
| Passing 10 the question OF the evening
| Judge Falligant complimented the hoy
/ Oh their efforts which he said were worthy
| OF all praise and gave him sincere plea
| ure. particularly as the society was mos
/ y composed OF boys from the High Sshoe
[ OF Savannah.
Being in a particularly genial huu1or tn
/ Judge then entertained the audience viii
| "reminiscences OF his own school day:
| which, being of a humorous character
! and told in the speakers own mimic q,
way. were greatly appreciated by u
! audience
! At the conclusion Of the addresses the
! floor was cleared and the remainder Of the
evening was spent in dancing.
became a Citizen.
| In tho SuDerfor- Court Yesterday 7 n