The times., 1901-03-10
LAW STUDENTS IN A DEBATE.
Suffrage in the District Discussed at
Columbian University Hall.

a
heard if was that discussed at the fourth
public debate Of the School of Law Of
Columbian University at University Han
last night. The question involved in the
debate was: Resolved, That the District
Of Columbia should have self-government
in local affairs" The negative was
awarded the victory by the judges.
4 large audience filled the auditorium
and listened to the arguments. Ihe
speakers for the affirmative We're; }. Hen
~ 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, am
Joseph W. Cox. Virginia. Commissioners
Macfarland, 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
cietv. announced that the verdict should
be found on originality of thought SUP.
iect 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 or
voice in the management of the AFFAIRS
of their own local government. He CON
tended that the people of the District oI
Columbia have right to self-goYernmenl
on the score of expediency. Mr. Altschu
argued that the present system OF gov
ernment 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 a 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 possibility must be
/ averted. and that the safety and dignity
| Of the Capital, 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 ind 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 :. Pearson, Of Georgia. was the
| next speaker on the affirmative He based
his argument on the question of the nat
! ural and constitutional rights of the citi-
! zeus 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 a main is not q real citizen who has
! no voice in the government Of his coun-
| The second speaker on the negative,
! Francis G. Wilson. OF Massachusetts,
: based his argument on the inability of the
! negro 10 govern. He said that Washing
! ton contained about 5000 white voters
/ M
/ iOrity of the white voters would take no
/ interest IN the turmoil OF political life,
/ as they - ere living in this city in retire
| mCut lie argued that, on the other hand,
| the 1900 cOIOTed voters would constitute
| q positive menace to the good govern
ment OF the city. The promise Of political
! 5obs. Mr. 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.
| Til, last speaker for the affirmative was
! Harry l.. Reed, Of Georgia. He argued
that II the people oI otheI munlci pailtl,es ,
people OF this city should ENJOY the same
I privilege The contention that the negro
/ should have nO voice in the government
Mr. Reed said. was nullitled by the Con
/ stituti0n. Mr.. Reed made very pow
erfuI and logical argument mainly based
| on points OF constitutional law.
! Joseph w Cox Of Virginia, closed the
| argumeut by speaking for the negative
/ and basiHg his contentious on the con
tentiou that Congress should have The
privilege TO govern this city on account
] Of the propouderaLiug landed interests OF
the -uitcd States Government IN this city
In announcing the decision Of TIA,
Judges. Commissioner Macfarlaud award
! I I'd first honors TO Joseph W. Cox. Oof Nir
t ginia. and second honors TO Harry j.
I Reed.
The officers Of the society are: Walte
A Mcneil. President. Tennessee; John a
) / Pace Vice President Texas; Granville r
. | Swift Secretary Virginia; Eugene II
3 / Pitcher. Treasurer. Illinois. Robert NJ
! CaIfee. Critic Virginia. Executive Com
j mittee-Thc president * oiiicio; the Vic
president. * oficio. Harry j. Reed
o | Chairman Georgia; Adolph r. !. John
j son. Minnesota; Ralph L. Smith, Penn
D isylyania.