The Irish standard., 1910-04-16
In the Debate With the
University Team
At St. Paul Seminary Last
Monday Evening.
Victors Will Meet Fargo Col
lege on April 22nd.

took place at st. Paul Seminary last
Monday evening between st. Thomas
College and the Law School of the
| University. This was the substance
of his remarks at the close of the re-
bate while waiting for the decision of
the judges. Each side had been so
thorough in it's investigation of evil
dence, and every speaker had been so
clear in argument, so quick in rebuff
tal so forcible in eloquent appeal that
no matter who the winners might be
honor due to both sides.
The questions: "Resolved, That
American municipalities should adopt
the commission form of government"
The affirmative was upheld by Messrs.
N. Beaton, S. Gillian and C. Redeem
of the University Forum. Messrs. J.
Schubert, B. Busch and f. Mccarthy of
ST. Thomas supported the negative.
The board of judges consisted of DR..
Judge Lewis and Hon. j. Ermatinger
of ST. Paul. Judge OBrien, who pre-
sided, announced that each speaker
would be allowed twelve minutes in
his first address and five minutes in
rebuttal.
The Affirmative speakers pointed out
can city government and held that this
was chiefly due to the present cum
bersome system of city organization
which is adapted for legislative pur-
poses, but is untitled for transacting
city affairs, ninety per cent of which
is administrative. Their review of at
tempted reforms led to the conclusion
that among these the commission form
of organization is most successful in
der this system there is no shifting Of
responsibility; all power is in the
hands of small, easily watched board,
each member of which has his own de-
partment; there is no overlapping of
authority. The union Of the legislative
and administrative powers in one body
gives prompt, efficient administra-
ton; while the investigating bureau
insures honest, business-like methods
) and intelligent voting. The concentra-
. ton of power and the fixing of respon-
sibility are the two things American
cities most need and these are secured
. in their perfection under the commits
, sion form of government.
The negative speakers agreed that
the need of municipal reform is OBJ
vious, but pointed out that the present
system was to be blamed less than the
class of men who use the system for
, corrupt purposes. The reform pro-
+. posed by the affirmative was revolu-
tionary; it would destroy the proper
correlation of departments, a funda-
mental principle in democratic govern
centration of power which would de-
stroy the impartiality of the police
courts, make auditors the employees OF
the commissioners, and instead of de-
: stroying the boss rule. would onl!
serve the interests of the boss and
his gang The sixty municipalities ex-
peri1nenting with it are mostly small
towns, the combined population oil
which does not equal that of Chicago
New Orleans and Sacramento aban-
: doned the system after thorough trial
The failure of American city govern
ment Is due to lack of city spirit ir
the average voter. This makes every
form of corruption and misrule easy
for the professional politician. The
initiative, referendum and recall, upor
stress, were no more peculiar to thu
commission form than to any othe
form of city government. The SAM
was to be said Of the reviewing boart
found in English cities. The negative
advocated no particular system, blu
! would adopt the good features of an.
system while preserving in municipal
Z organization all Of those present ele
= ments which are capable Of reform
Evolution, not revolution, would b
their guiding principle.
There was an abundance Of fact
= and figures to prove every argumen
= and support every statement; and tn
familiarity with present condition
evinced by the speakers gave evidenc
of painstaking investigation, clos
study and careful thought.
When Mr.. Rodeen of the Universit
closed the debate, Judge O'Brien, afte
a hearty tribute to the contestants
. called for the votes of the Judges. TIL
three fateful ballots were collected an
. as the presiding officer unfolded ther
there was an expectant hush through