THE HESPERIAN
The Debate at Doane.
A fair sized crowd of University students
went down to Doane in a special car last
Saturday night to attend the joint debate
between the U. B. D. C. and Doane col
lege. The debate was held in the Congre
gational church. The Creteans did not turn
out in full force, perhaps it was because
there was an admittance of 15 cents. But
our boys did not stop for that. Three of
the debaters who represented the U. B. D.
C. had to pay to get in. But Mr. Baker
for some cause or other was admitted with
out buying a ticket. We were met at the
depot with an imaginary band and escorted
to the college where we amused ourselves
until it was time for the debate to begin.
It was just S:30 when Presinent Maguire
of the U. B. D. C. called the meeting to
order. After a vocal solo by Mr. Aller of
Doane, the president stated the question:
"Resolved that too much weight is given to
precedent in judicial decisions in the courts
of the United States. "" Doane had the
affirmative of the question and was repre
sented by Messrs. Kenegy, Reed, Halzc
and Lee. U- B. D. C. was represented by
Messrs. Maguire, McGofley, Baker and
Barr.
The affirmative argued thai the judges not
only abuse precedent but misapply it. Tiiey
claimed that unless die negative proved that
to follow wrong decisions in judicial prece
dent is right the affirmative had the best of
the debate. Their arguments were in the
form of general statements.
The negative traced the great system of
3 aw despotic codification and precedent
systems. They defied precedent as in
rogue an the United States courts today.
They argued that there should be uniformity
in law from top to bottom, that precedent
maintains consistency and guarantees eta
bility in laws; that legal contracts are the
most vital principles in organic law, that
precedent carefully studied and wisely fol
lowed insures the safety and protection of
obligation under contract; and that a system
that includes all the common sense of the
present judge and of all the judges gone be
fore is better than simply taking the opinion
of the present judge.
After the debate the Doane mandolin
club favored the audience with music.
Saturday evening the English club met at
the home of Miss Wort, 1327 E street. In
spite of the chancellor's reception and other
distractions there was an unusually full
attendance. The program opened with a
story of a runaway, by Miss Esther Smoyer.
This is a subject which Miss Smoyer handles
with unusual force and vividness. A per
fectly controlled voice adds not a little to the
effect of her reading. Miss Wort read a
story, "Mud and May baskets," very bright
and true to girl-life in a boarding school.
"Arbitus Blossoms,"" a dainty little poem bj'
Miss Katharine Morrissey was listened to
with much pleasure. Miss Morrissey is soon
to leave for California to take charge of a
young ladies" seminary. She will be greatly
missed bj the club. After a scng by Miss
Annette Abbott, Mr. Alexander read a long
story which led to some discussion. It was
a story of devotion and sacrifice and misery
and death, a story such as Mr. Alexander
can write. It contained much philosophy,
loo much, perhaps, but was a strong treat
ment of a diffioult subject. Miss Maude
Hammond favored the club with several
very pleasing selections on the pinao, after
which aces were served. In a short business
session the name of Miss Henry was added
to the list of members, arid the club ad'
journed to meet May 2 at the home of Miss
Prey.
Students needing photographs will do
well to call at the Harden photograph gal
lery, 1214 O street, and get special prices.
The Junior clas elected officers Saturday
the ISth inst, as follows: President, E. F.
Warner; vice-president, D. J. Flaherty; secretary-treasurer,
Helen M. Goff; sergeant
alarms, F. T. Raley.
I