The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-30

 should be conducted by the learned ana able-speaking boys of the sixth.
 The debate was set for Friday even ing after school, the place Of meetlnig ni. fathers barn, which was only about one-third full of hay at the rear end, thus leaving plenty of floor space TOT the speakers and listeners.
 As early as Wednesday evening the chosen debaters were examining thelr minds with information about the war and the cause thereof, and on Thursday evening they were brimful ana run ming over with the subject.
 As two of the Japanese sympathizers, Ben Baker and Pete Brown, hurried home Thursday evening from schqqoI, Ben said "Wisht we could get Jim Perkins on our side. Hes a corker when 1t comes to making speeches. He don't say so all-fired much, put what wall. Recollect that debate we had about the pen being mightier than the sword, and how with one yolley or words he won his slde2"
 'Yep, I remember the debate, but don't mind what 1t was Jim said that counted so big. What was tt? And Pete stopped to stamp his cold feet and blow his warm breath on hls numD fingers as he asked the question.
 wy" replied Ben, gathering handful of snow and molding 1t into hard ball with which to pelt some chance comrade, The throwed up his hands like an actor person and yelled out in a voice as big as a grown-up mans, How can the pen be mlghtler than the sword? Did anybody ever get his head cut off by pen? Now. a per son may write and keep on writing about me. but that don't put me out of business, but once you let him take the sword and chop my head off, reckon I'll not bother the world with my opinions any longer.
 "Shure, that was pretty strong argu- ment," agreed Pete, lingering the mar lac In, hto 70 der why he isn't for Japan instead of Russia ?-he's such a smart kid"
 q reckon that while his tongue IS ventured Ben. And maybe he wants to go with the big crowd anyway. Lots like that"
 got Biii, and 1t will take good one to go ahead of Bill. Hes better in argu- ment than half the big muck -mucks that's in office and are posted on poll tics. 1 bet he'll be a judge or presi- dent when he's grown up. But, I've got to hustle home, I'm bout starved, and we're going to have chicken potpie for supper"
 So the two parted company to meet the following evening after school at
 At last Friday evening" arrived and and from the fifth and sixth grades. Seats made of rude blanks had been placed for the debaters, while the younger DrGSenJ-InOSe were told to seat themselves. on the ing.to be seen and not heard.
 Tommy Simms. being the crack his torian of his class. was selected chair man and called the meeting, to order Here, herel" he yelled over the medley of many voices, everybody shut up and listen to me-.
 The boys immediately settled them. selves and became attentive Now, said the chairman. for whom cnalr (without a back and minus leg) had been provided. and on which he had 70 sit with caution lest he fall oyer, we shall open the debate, which Is, was Japan justified in opening war against Russian The first speaker, IT,, on b nss,o tne pro You will oblige the chair by giving the speaker your undivided attention. Jim, take the floor"
 center of the bare floor space. Looking about him with the air of one who was master of the subject he was about 10 attack he. raised his voice to a high dies and Gentlemen (though why he should have said ladies, none present could say, for not one of the fifth or sixth grade fair sex graced the meet ing. Perhaps it was that he liked the form of speech): Pm with Russia in her troubles because everything in this miXup points to her being in the right. The territory. she claims is alongside of her; in fact. 1t might be called one of her legs. What right has Japan to go over there and say Give me part of your anatomy, old bear, for I want to use 1t In my business [Cheers from the Russian sympathiz- CTS wy, she's as much right to come over here and ask Uncle Sam to give her Florida for a Christmas gift; or maybe shed rather have California, 1t s nearer her front door. Wild cheers from Russian sympathizers. No, the Japs are a small set of people with the swell-head. and the disease IS getting the best of 'em. They've no excuse to slice of it. Let 'em stay in their island home and mind their own affairs. if their country isn't any bigger than at the real truth of the matter, the land under dispute really belongs to neither Russia nor Japan; it Is the rightful possession of the Chinks."
 Down with the Chinks!' vociferous- ly yelled several Russian sympathlzers, whereupon as many Japanese defend- CTS groaned and hissed.
 "Silencel" ordered the chair with such vehemence that he lost his bal ance and rolled on the floor. Quickly number of the debating committee assisted him to rise, and placed the chair on it's three legs. right-side up. carefully upon 1t once more and said to Jim, who still held the floor: "On with the debate. Jim. You have just three minutes more.
 NO, he am L., called out a voice from the Jap side of the loft You've used up one minute tumbling over and getting your chair on its pegs again. Only two minutes Is left to that Russian bear, I know!
 And you've lost a minute of your time to speak by jabbering now, an swered the chair with much displeas- ure at the interruption. I'll call you off a minute earlier than l would have done if you'd kept that clapper or yours in its trap" Then turning to Jim, he LN1k h
 Well" declared Jim, I've clean for got where left off. I'll have to begin all over again"
 No you don't" remonstrated dozen Japanese sympathizers. Then Ben Ba- ker called over the other voices: We've heard the first part of your speech as much as we want to- we Wont stand Tor your repeating it. Go, on from where you left off; you quit at where you thought the territory belonged to the Chinks."
 Did IF" whispered Jim. turning to a comrade on the Russian side.
 Don't recollect," came the whispered answer T was so tickled over the way the chairman spilled out of his three legged stool that l clean forget what you said"
 q like that" sneered Jim. turning his back on his comrade. Then he picked up the thread of his discourse. Mir Chairman. Ladies and Gentlemen: If l pute belongs to the Chinks I stick to it. But hasten to say that as they are a beastly pig tailed lot of idol-worshiping heathen it is just as well to extermi- nate them and let the Russians put the land to better use. And another reason why the land should be
 "rime's up," announced the chair cold -bloodedly, cutting off Jim's speech as mercilessly as he would have cut off the end of a kite string. Then he clicked his Sl watch lid to call attention to the fact that he had been counting the mo- ments and was conscientious in duty.
 "Mr. Chairman" remonstratad Him,