10
THE HESPERIAN
caland practical superiority of "expert gov
ernment" stood unanswered. Nowbranch
had struck at the heart of the question.
Guyer dodged the issue and gave his whole
attention to the consideration of two minor
points. Still Kansas stock was probably
nearer par than when ho began.
Quaintanco followed with a speech that
clearly entitled him to first placo on the Ne
braska side. He turned tho first part of
Guyers' speech over to Weaver and disposed
of the second part by the remark that it had
no place in the debate, since municipal refer
endum is not a part of the Swiss system.
His argument on theoretical grounds was not
so strong as that of Mr. Nowbranch. The
soundness of his analysis and the argument
founded on it are fairly open to question.
But on the practical question of expediency
his arguments were invincible Quaintanco
made the speech of his life logical, force
ful and oloquont. Nebraska stock took an
other jump. The debate in fact was won.
Mr. McCall valiontly tried to repair the
damage dono by Mr. Quaintanco. He at
tempted to answer Q's arguments on the ex
pediency of tho referendum and did as well
as tho nature of the case permitted. But
Q's argument stood linn and Newbranch's
remained unanswered. Nebraska had proved
(1) that theoretically and practically repre
sentative government was superior to true
democracy; (2) that tho referendum was in
expedient and impossible. Kansas had her
last say and Nebraska stock was in tho sky.
Weaver closed the debate in a speech
stronger than his iirst, but he failed to reach
the height of his powers.
lie probably loft a stronger impression
than any other speaker, and proved that ho
had tho making of a magnificent debater.
But when he closed it was clear that his long
record of forensic victories was about to be
broken. The gamo was already ours and
his speech was superfluous. It was like
playing the second half of the ninth inning
when the side to bat alrcadyhas the largest
score.
The decision was received with great en
thusiasm and the debators were tossed aloft
liko so many waste rags. Tho experience
of "tossing" was new to the Jayhawkers,
and by their own statomont was fully appre
ciated and enjoyed. The victory was not
celebrated as a foot-ball victory would have
boon. Pandemonium did not rule for any
length of time. Cain was allowed to keep
his coffin on and remain in his grave. But
a fevv Enthusiasts bribed "Cap.v o let them
ring the boll. So the bell rang and "Cap."
smoked Havanas.
ATHLETICS.
With baseball and tennis already well un
der way, and field day rapidly approaching
animal spirits find escape valves a plenty.
The baseball boys celebrated their first
opportuniiy by getting it rubbed into them,
which was far better than winning in a walk
and suffering with an acute attack of swell
head for tho rest of tho season. It was tho
first game; tho men had never played with
each other before and, considering, showed
up remarkably well, as the small score plainly
demonstrates.
'Jur chief weakness was at tho bat. At
two or three critical stages, when a little in
significant base 'hit would have been wel
comed liko an inch of rain in Kansas. Wo
prophesy that the boys will steady down at
the bat and secure thoso little hits which go
to make tho game interesting.
Omaha says last years team w,asn't in
sight of this toam, which goes to show that
hard work and free competition is of some
small account in making a team.
Captain Pace deserves much credit for
giving so much time to the development of
tho toam. His judgment of a player is
pretty correct; and ho gives every man a fair
trial boforo dropping him.
Tho tonnis courts are already filled, and
many have not joined who so intend. If
there is not enough room, and a real interest
in tho gamo is shown, by next year more
courts will be provided. Out of the many
who play there should bo at least a half
dozen men in shape to represent us at the
state meet. Tonnis has been neglected thus
far in tho history of the N. U.
Field day contests will bo lively this year.
Pearson is pushiug things hard; John Cam
eron says so. That 100-yard dash for the
Union boys modal, promises to be hot.