TILE : HESPERIAN
not throe or four thousand nnloH out in tlio Paoilio.
U. W. Molcr closed tho debate for tho negative.
Mr Meier was compelled to follow a negative speak
or and was iutcruptcd by tho lights going out. Ho
.said tliat tli8u islands aro not favorably situated.
Ships that stop at Honolulu go thousands of miles
out of their road. Wo already have a good coaling
station in Alaska. Wo now enjoy all of tho priv
ileges that aro to bo had by annexation. Wo could
not control the Paolllo without an inuneu.se navy.
Our Im.ist has been that our country is so compact
that wo don't need an army and navy, All other
annexations have been contiguous territory. Tho
islands would add new discordant elements and
would not strengthen tho republic.
Mr. McNaughton closed the debate lie claimed
that tho alllrmatlvo had shown threo things: first,
Annexation is for tho best interests of both nations;
second, It has boon tho policy of tj. S. for shty
years, It is a necessity.
SATUUDAY KVKNINO.
Tho Saturday evening debate was on tho question
'Resolved, that the United States should construct
and oporato tho Nicaragua (Jamil." The program
was opened by a selection by the Lincoln Business
collego cornet band.
C. K. Malson opened tho dob.itofor tho affirmative
Ho concisely outlined tho aflirmativo argument, giv
ing a brief history of what engineers thought of tiio
project and their schemes for construction. Tho
)"oplo aro anxious for the construction as is evident
by tho petitions sent to congress. Tho canal would
shorton the distance of inter oceanic trade, the
li i.ard on merchandise would be lessened and the
cost of marine iusuiance diminished. There would
bo a great diminution in the cost, of transportation.
Mr. Matson spoke' in a cool, conversational tone.
II. E. Sackett followed on the negative with an
animated speech Mr. Sackott thought much de
pended upon the canal viewed ns a financial ven
ture. Ho thought the linancial biiccess deponds
upon the cost of construction and its commercial
utility after it is constructed. 'According to careful
estimates it would cost lfi0,0i 0,0 0 At four per
cent interest this would bo $0,000,000 expense yearly.
Its commercial utility will not justify this expendi
ture, for it is so situated that little trade will pass
that way. Sailing vessols could not bo. used. We
could not gain oxoUisive military control; it would
lie to expensive to protect it. Our neutrality iclti
tions and the Clayton-Bulwer treaty forbid this ven
ture. It would increase foreign complications. Mr.
Sackett showed signs of nervousness and is inclined
to talk too rapidly.
C. W. Taylor was tho second spoakor on tho nega
tive, Admitting tho intorostto boHO.dOO.OUO hoquotod
statistics to show that twico this amount could bo
saved by tho lessoned cost of transportation which
would follow tho construction of tho canal. He
argued that there was no question as to tho feasibil
ity of tho canal. Ho urged that internal develop
ment of our country ami especially thodovolopmonl
of tho Paclllo const-demanded tho construction of
tho canal. Mr. Taylor has n splendid stngo pres
ence and a strong voice which made him a very
effective speaker.
G. K. linger replied to Mr Taylor. Mr. Hagor
thought the questions of feasibility and commercial
value wore minor ones. Ho urgod that tho con
struction of tho canal would bo opposed to inter
national law, contrary to our past policy ntid a
dangorious step toward socialism. Mr. Hagor was
not at his host. lie lacked his usual lluenoy and
forcefulness of expression.
J. II. Kemp was tho next aflirmativo speakor. Ho
thought there wore many reasons why the United
States should construct the canal, the primary ono
boing tho lessoning of the cost of transportation.
Ho considered its construction of national Impor
tance ns it would make New York the world's eonter
of commerce instead of London and Liverpool. Ho
thought the United States should build it and not
some private concern Tho United States could do
it cheaper beeauso its bonds bear loss interest. It
would make trade relations possible witli 0,000,000
more pooplo. It would bring us 2,0t)it miles nearer
Japan and China than Liverpool Mr. Komp lacked
energy mid was inclined to pitch his voice too high.
Miss Bertha Stall next spoke on tho negative Sho
dwelt at length upon tho question of feasibility. Af
ter a careful study of the ouglneerliig problems sho
came to the contusion that tho canal was impractical.
It was urged that the aflirmativo had only considered
the cost ftoni an engineering standpoint. Tho ox
puns' of constructing artiiicial dams, locks, harbors
and employing imported laborers, would equal tho
cost of tho canal itself. It was held that it was not
tho mission of tho United States government to be
come a philanthropic institution. Wo can not afford
to sacritlco our national development for that of so
small a country. Miss Stall has good stago prosenco
porfcet enunciation and a voice of good volume.
Mr. Kwart followed on the atllrmattve. M' Kwart
thought tho canal not only practical and of a com
mercial value, but ho considered it a national ne
cessity. Ho thought if tho United Slates owned anil
operated the Nicaragua canal wo could increase our
international trade. If another nation gets it,it may
be used to hinder our commercial and political ad
vauceniont. Mr. Kwart is but a freshmau and with
tho proper training will make a strong speaker.
R. S. Baker closed the debato for tho negative.
He replied to Mr. Ewa. t by urging that tho canal Is
not a national necessity. Wo should direct our
commerce through tho heart of our country. Now
Yoik, or Sanfraneisco or Nicaragua can not bo made
our center of commerce Chicago is and will con
tinuo to bo tho real center of our commercial inter
ests Wo must not neglect internal development
and waste our nation.il energy on matters of minor
importance and foreign to our oouutry's" welfare.
Tho highest end of a state is tho 'development of it
(Continued on pago 10)
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