The Washington herald., 1909-06-06

Representatives C. c. Carlin. OF Vir-
ginia: W. n Wilson. OF Illinois. aid F.
L Siddons, a member Of the District
bar, unanimously. held last night that
United States Senators should not be
elected by popular vote.
At least, this was not given as their
personal views but they agreed with the
arguments submitted by the negative side
in the annual prize debate at the Ma
tional University.
The question, Resolved, That United
States Senators should be elected by the
popular vote was upheld by E. d.
Smith, Of Kansas; Conrad ". Perimmer,
Of Indiana, and 5. G. Quinn, OF Michigan.
Those opposing a radical change in the
Constitution Of the United States were
J. L. McNIasters. OF Delaware; H. H.
Bredckamp. OF Florida. and H. l. Rock
well, Of the District
Negative Side Upheld.
At the conclusion Of the debate the
judges announced that the negative side
had unanimously won the debate. First
prize was awarded to ]. I. McMasters
consisting OF a set OF Bouviers Law Die
tionary. and the second prize. Glauville's
Aanotations, was captured by H. L.
Rockwell
The gavel of the presiding officer, Rice
Hooe. OF Virginia, fell promptly at $50
o'clock in the assembly hall OF the uni
versity. The affirmative side was first
heard. when E D. Smith undertook 70
defend the question Of popular vote. He
stated that the principles OF the govern
ment OF the United States were founded
on political liberty and that the growing
intelligence Of the people Of the United
States demanded that they have a larger
share in choosing the national legislators.
and that the aristOcrauc government
formed by Washington and other early
Americans was no argument in support
Of a contention not to change the consti-
tuition 50 that Senators could be elected
by the people. He spoke of the graft and
corruption existing In State legislatures,
and argued thar only by the vote OF the
people would such misuses OF power be
remedied. The affirmative side showed IN
logical sequence the benefits to be de-
rived by purely elective national legisla-
ture, and quoted the recent agitation that
had found voice in the halls Of Congress
and among the representative citizens OF
a number Of States.
ments were advanced that led the judges
10 unanimously state that the affirmative
had failed.
II L. Rockwell. for the negative. In a
forceful argument. conceded some Of the
arguments Of the Affirmative in making
his speech but stated positively that the
change would not satisfy the need OF
eiecting Senators by direct vote OF the
people.
AncIentS Were Failures.
History" he said. shows that the an
clients made a failure Of electing all OF
their public servants by popular acclaim.
Our form Of government Is among the
best on earth. Your plan has been tried
for years in other countries, England.
France. and Germany, and its success
speaks for itself This fact alone proves
the fallacy Of the assertions made by the
gentlemen Of the affirmative. Each Of
these countries have a distinct upper
house not directly elected by the people.
The indirect election Of the Senators OF
the United States forms one Of the strong
est bulwarks Of our nation.
THE Senate" he stated. through its
conservatism, acts as a check upon a
the House acts as check upon the Sen
ate, while both bodies act as a check
upon the President. while he in turn is
able TO defeat the designing ends OF a
too radical legislature"
Other members Of the negative side
thrashed out the proposition until every
phase Of the question for debate was
thoroughly argued. At the conclusion
the judges retired to consider their yer.
dict. In the interim Coz r L Montague
Of Virginia. addressed the audience. an6
especially the members OF the debaiins
teams. He gave them good advice. anG
told them what a client wanted was re-
suits.
Learn by experience" he said. 'Tb,
loss OF one verdict win perhaps make the
winning Of the next. Go out early an(
work hard The dictum Of Presiden
Taft 10 the Annapolis cadets should fine
no place here. II you want actual ex
perience IN domestic relations get mar
ried early. You won't md IL in the books
Lead hare. strong. and strenuou!
life for the good Lord, I believe, likes 3
healthy sinner better than a dyspepti,
saint. Don't feel discouraged by not i'm
mediately attaining success. but keeE
plugging and you will get there with botf
feet"
The officers OF the debate were E. D
Smith, president; Rice Hcoe, vice prest
dent; John Bishop. secretary: E. W. Gael
braith, treasurer. and R. L. Shanafelt
corresponding secretary. The reception
committee we're G. P. Freeman. ] G
Gladfelter. and S. s. Matteson-