The times., 1901-06-01
LAW STUDENTS IN DEBATE
The Annual Prize Contest at Co
lumbian University.
On the Subject of Withdrawal From
Cuba the Negative Wins - Salient
Points Made in the Arguments-
1he Individual Prize winners.

The annual prize contest of the de-
| batting society of the Schools of Law of
| Columbian University took place in Uni
versity Hall last night in the presence of
a large and representative audience. The
occasion was of unusual interest to the
school on account of those who partici-
pated in the debate being the men who
had won first honors in the six public de-
bates whicn had been held during the
scholastic year. and all were speakers of
fine ability.
The topic selected for the debate was
Resolved, That when the United States
shall have established a stable govern
ment of. for, and by the Cuban people
she should withdraw Internationally her
control over the island"
The speakers for the affirmative were
George s. Pines, OF Illinois, Thomas Per-
cy Guyton, of Mississippi, and Ben Leroy
Rich Idaho, while the negative side of
the question was supported by Joseph w
Cox, Virginia; ]. Whitford Riddle. Penn
sylvania. and Luther NJ Walter. Ken.
lucky. AS judges acted Prof Charles w
Needham, Myron NJ Parker. and Dr. Ed
ward NJ. Gallaudet
The judgment OF the committee was an
nounced by Mr.. Parker. in favor of the
negative, with first prize to J. Whitford
Riddle, OF Pennsylvania, and second
prize to Ben lie Roy Rich, of Idaho. The
decision was founded upon the display of
originality of thought subject matter of
speech. elcquence, and manner of presen-
tation.
Regarding prizes. section of Article VI
of the constitution of the society pro-
vides that the sum of s25 shall be set aside
Hxy tha t,-aa
in purchasing the first and second prizes.
to be awarded at the prize debate The
fund shall be apportioned in the sums of
SIS and $40, respectively, for the purchas-
ing of the first and second prizes
George s. Pines, the first speaker of
the affirmative, outlined the contention
of the affirmative, founding il on the reso-
luton of Congress of 1898, relating to
Cuba, wherein that body said that the
people of Cuba should be and are of right
free. He said that the United States. at
the time of the passage of this act dis
claimed any intention to assume control
over the island except for purposes of
pacification and for the cause of human
ity. The speaker contended that this was
sacred pledge which the people of the
United States must redeem.
Joseph w. Cox, of the negative. argued
that it was necessary that Cuba, on ac
count of it's proximity TO the United
States, should be under the control o.
America for our own protection. Cuba,
from stEategical standpoint, the speak
er said. was invaluable to this country.
The second speaker for the affirmative.
Thomas Percy Guyton. argued from the
standpoint that this country did not
enter upon war Of conquest when de-
claring war against Spain, but to give
freedom and liberty to oppressed Cuba.
j. Whitford Riddle, who followed for
the negative. said that if it is agreed
that the Monroe Doctrine applies to
Cuba. 1t means that the island is under
American control. He said that the
Teller resolution should be interpreted
in the spirit of the Monroe Doctrine and
that Ii did not call for a sovereign, but
only for a stable government for the
island.
Mr.. Rich. who closed the argument for
the affirmative, maintained that the
position taken by the negative meant
that Congress did not truthfully mean
what was said when il passed a solemn
resolution promising Cuba independence.
He said IL would be much wiser to let
Cuba ask for admission to the States
than force ourselves upon her. The
speaker contended that Cuba would never
be satisfied with what we do unless we
do what We promised we would do
Luther NJ. Walter summed up for the
negative and presented a very strong
resume OF his side of the case.
Five minutes was granted to the
affirmative in rebuttal. and Mr. Pines
contended that his side had disposed of |
all the contentious of the negative and /
should be awarded the decision.
j. Whitford Riddle, jr., the second |
speaker on the negative, and winner of |
the first prize was born in Marietta Ohio. /
He is a graduate of two high schools and |
of the University of Pennsylvania. At |
the latter institution he was yaledicto- !
rian of his class, and was elected Harri- /
son Scholar in Political Science by the /
trustees of the university. He represent (
ed Pennsylvania in two intercollegiate de- /
bates and took part in numerous inter- |
collegiate intersociety contests. He was !
the highest officer of the Philomathean t
Society, was editor-in-chief of the uni (
versity daily, and an editor of the month |
ly magazine. He took several prizes in !
Oratorical and debating contests, and has /
done effective work as lecturer for the
Civic and Manufacturers Clubs of Phila-
ielphia. He is member of the first year
law class.
Ben l.. Rich, the third speaker on the
and winner of the second
prize, was born at Ogden. Utah, in 1878 |
and was graduated from the Ogden High |
School. He was editor of the school !
monthly periodical, president of his class,
president of the debating and literary so
,iety, and took an active part in school
debates In Idaho. his present home, he