The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-02-16

| Sweet Air Lyceum Has Spirited Discus
| sion AT its meeting last Saturday night the
| Sweet Air Lyceum discussed the Japanese cues
ton as 1t relates to the public schools OF San
Francisco and the decision of the judges was
| that the Federal Government was not justified
| In interfering in the controversy. Il reached
that conclusion after listening attent1vey to an
earnest debate between Messrs. Roy Rouch
and Thomas Clemens, representing the fancy
Club, ofthe Baltimore Law School, and Messrs.
Elmer r. Halle and ]. Howard Fox, repre-
senting the lyceum.
The fancy Club commended that the action of
the Government was justifable and commend
able, while the lyceum contended 1t had no
right to interfere. TheJudges-Messrs Y. Alex.
ander Fairbank, Jr., Merritt G. Rasin and
William G Erbe-decided unanimously In
favor of the lyceum.
The meeting Was one of the best attended in
the history of the lyceum. The audience was
kept in a constant state of good humor and ex-
pectancy by the sharp wit and repartee of the
speakers Considerable amusement was caused
by Mr. Fairbank, who, in delivering the de-
csion of the judges, declared that he had never
before been called on to discharge duty in
volving such degree of responsibility, IN view
of the statements of one of the speakers that
if the question were decided in the affirmative
it would result in civil war between the States,
and if it were decided in the negative, this
country would incur the enmity of Japan.
All of the speakers. who we're either lawyers
or law students, professed profound knowl-
edge of the Federal Constitution and doctrine
of States rights. Much stress was laid on the
moral aspect of the case. and the degenerating
influence that association in the public schools
would have upon American children. The
Japs we're described as the greatest examples
of moral perverts on the face of the earth,
devoid not only of those underlying principles
of honesty and morality which have proved
the bulwark and strength of other nations,
but, as one of the speakers insisted, being OF
cannibalistic propensities as well. :.
The question, as viewed by the affirmative,
eventually resolved itself into an exhaustive
and thorough discussion of the merits of Presi
dent Roosevelt, his infallibility and the never
failing correctness of his views upon all SUBJ
jects relating to the domestic happiness of his
subjects and the security of their interest
abroad. It was urged that the invention of
steam and electricity and their adaptation to
the public needs have taken place since the
establishment of the Constitution, and that,
consequently, the ''craZy old hulk, as HAM
ilton CONTEMPORARY termed 1t, is thing OF
the past when it comes to standing in the way
brotherly love and undying friendship with
the little brown men across the sea" who
have proved themselves such masterful adopts
in the art of acquiring the benefits OF steam
and electricity.
The decision, which was only arrived at by
the judges after lengthy consultation, was
approved by the audience.
At the conclusion of the debate President
Halle announced number of literary stunts"
which kept the audience amused until IL
o'clock In the meantime the fancy Club
began its return journey to Towson in two
large bob sleds provided by Mr.. VIM. E. STAINS
bury, of Towson.
Miss Alice Price read the ''Searchlight' and
laid bare number ofqueer happenings among
the country folk for miles about. Hiss Kath-
crime M. Patterson read an original poem on
"Our Debating Club" MIR. Edward O'Dono-
van read humorous selection. AT the con-
clusion of the exercises a collation. was served.
1t was announced that the road question
would be taken up for discussion on Saturday,
February 10th.