The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-10
LAW STUDENTS IN A DEBATE.
Suffrage in the District Discussed ut
Columbian University Hall.

a question OF interest 10 many WIN
| heard it was that discussed at the fourth
| public debate Of the School of Law of
| Columbian University at University Hall
| last night. The question involved in the
debate was: Resolved, That the District
of Columbia should have government
| in local affairs" The negative was
| awarded the victory by the judges.
\ large audience filled the auditorium
and listened to the arguments. The
| speakers for the affirmative were: J. Hen
ny Altschu, Perry s. Pearson, and Harry
| D. Reed of Georgia. while those defend
| ing the negative We're; Daniel A. Knapp
| Francis C.. Wilson, Massachusetts, AMI
Joseph w. Cox, Virginia. Commissioner
| mcfarland, Chairman, Willis Van Dew
anter Wyoming, and Theodore w. Noyes
acted as Judges.
Before introducing the speakers, Walter
a. Mcneil, President of the debating So
ciety. announced that the verdict should
be found on originality of thought, sub
ject matter of speech. presentation of
the argument, and points of law.
The first speaker on the affirmative was
]. Henry Altschu. who said that Thomas
jefferson would have spurned the idea
that citizens should be deprived of
voice in the management of the affairs
of their own local government. He con-
tended that the people Of the District of
Columbia have a right to self COVER
on the score of expediency. Mr. Altschu
argued that the present system of gov
eminent of the District of Columbia was
opposed to the Constitution of the United
States and the spirit of the American
people.
Daniel A. Knapp, OF the negative. re
viewed the history when during the War
of Independence body of Pennsylvania
troops marched to Philadelphia to de-
mand from Congress their pay at the
point Of the bayonet. He argued that
repetition of such a possibility must be
averted. and that the safety and dignity
Of the Capital, as well as the peace and
amity of the nation demanded that the
present system be retained. The speaker
said that the most ardent seeker after
scandal could not find any traces of cor
ruption or bribery in the government of
the District. He contended that Wash
ington was made up of citizens from all
parts of the Union, and that the repre-
sentatives Of foreign Powers judged the
whole American nation by the appear
ance of their Capital City.
Perry 5. Pearson, of Georgia. was the
next speaker on the affirmative. He based
= o +
urai ana constitutional rights of the citi-
zens as guaranteed by the Constitution.
the highest law of the land He quoted
Presidents Madison, Monroe. and Jack
son in favor Of his argument and said
that man is not real citizen who has
no voice in the government of his coun-
try.
The second speaker on the negative.
Francis c. Wilson, of Massachusetts,
based his argument on the inability Of the
negro to govern. He said that Washing
ton contained about 5000 white voters
and y, 900 colOred voters and that the ma
jOrity of the white voters would take no
interest in the turmoil OF political life,
as they were living in this city in retire
ment. lie argued that, on the other hand
the 1900 colored voters would constitute
ment Of the city. The promise Of political
jobs Nh Wilson insisted. would sway
them TO do anything. irrespective of the
welfare Of the community. Mr.. Wilson
adv coated that every policeman in this
city should be white.
The last speaker for the Affirmative was
Harry u Reed, of Georgia. He argued
that If the people Of other municipalities
have a vote in their own affairs the
people OF this city should enjoy the same
privilege The contention that the negro
should have no voice In the government
AIr. Reed said. was nullifed by the Con-
stitution Mr.. Reed made very pow
erfUl and logical argument, mainly based
on points OF constitutional law.
Joseph W. Cox, of Virginia, closed the
argument by speaking for the negative
and basing his contentious on the con-
tentiOu that Congress should have the
privilege to govern this city on account
of the preponderatug landed interests of
the nitcd States Government In this city
In announcing the decision Of the
judges Commissioner Macfarand award
cd first honors to Joseph ". Cox. oof Vir-
ginia, and second honOIs to Harry D.
Reed.
The officers Of the society are: Walter
Pace Vice President. Texas; Granville r.
Swift. Secretary, Virginia. Eugene H.
Pitcher, Treasurer. Illinois; Robert NJ
Calfce, Critic. Virginia Executive Com
mittec-Thc president eN ufiicio: the vice
president. OK ofiicio, Harry D. Reed.
Chairman. Georgia; Adolph L. /. John
son, Minnesota; Ralph l.. Smith, Penn
sylyanla.