Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-04-20
THREE STRAIGHT VICTORIES.

THREE STRAIGHT VICTORIES.
Augustana won its third straight
victory over Lombard college of Gales
| burg in a debate last night, the deci-
sion of the judges standing two to
one. Resolved, That the judges of
the state of Illinois should be subject
to recall by the constituency that
elected them" was the subject Angus
tana supported the negative. The con-
test was held in Augustana chapel.
Hugh Wright was the first speak
er for Lombard and maintained that
the recall was sound in theory. Gov
ernments derive power from the peo-
pie which they govern through the con-
stitution. Only by the recall can it
be assured that judge represents the
people.
The danger of organized capital is
the danger of the age. The subtle
power of its influence is felt every
where. The judiciary is so far separ-
ated from the people that the judiciary
has fallen before corrupt capital influ-
ence. Law is established on precedent.
Let one decision favoring predatory
wealth be handed down and a danger
Gus precedent is established. The only
way to purge the courts is to make
them servants of the people. The re.
call would tend to keep judges honest
and the confidence of the people in
the judiciary would be regained.
Mr.. Wright was followed by c. F.
Anderson, leader for the negative
team who stated that Augustana would
base its contentious upon three points:
That individual judges are not to blame
for defects in the judicial system; that
the resolution is based on a miscon-
ception of the fundamental purpose of
the judiciary, and that it strikes at
the independence of the judiciary-the
corner stone of government.
JUDGES NOT TO BLAME.
Mr.. Anderson brought out that the
individual judges are not to blame for
defects in the judicial system He be
gan by asking the question whether the
people should pass upon the profes-
siOnal competency of a judge and
whether the people should sit in judg-
ment on their own cases That, he
said would be an unnecessary burden
Judges are not responsible for delays
in trials. Statutes and faulty legisla,
ton is responsible. The remedy lies
not in the recall, but in simplifying
methods of procedure. Judges are ham,
pered by old machinery and are work,
, ing with plows of the 1870 model while
they should he using that of 1911. The
question is whether the man behind the
plOw should be discharged or whether
new pillow should be procured. Mr.
Anderson contended that there was nc
difference between a bride and threat
Of recall. He closed by referring tc
the case of Pontius PLATE and the
threat of recall.
MUST BE PUT UNDER CHECK.
, Lombard's second speaker was c
Chopper, who maintained that the jul
dietary of the present day favored
wealth and therefore they must be put
under check. That the resolution was
based upon a misconception OF the true
fundamental purpose of the judiciary
was the main argument of Elmer Mich
olson. Augustana's second speaker. K
A Bragdon. last speaker for the affirm
alive, based his arguments upon the
fact that progressive principles o
recall have been successful; that the
corrupt conditions in Illinois were th'
same as those in California and Ore
: gon prior 10 the institution of the re
call: and that the recall serves merel!
- as a check and a safeguard.
The closing speaker for Augustan;
: was John E. Erickson, who maintained
;, that the recall strikes at the independ
- ence of the judiciary. He stated tina
: the constitution provides for the indie
i pendence of the judiciary, which pre-
; tects the minority against the major
: lity. The recall would offer opportuni
ties TO INSCRIPTIONS politicians and yel
low journals to do effective dirty work
Ten minutes were allowed each sid
for rebuttal After the debate a bar
= quet was rendered the two teams a
u the New Harper.