The question for discussion at the Union last night was, Resolved, "That the Knights of Labor deserve the support of the working classes." The vote on the merits of the question stood, affirmative, 31: negative, 10. The principal disputants were: affirmative, A. T. Perkins, '87, and E. E. Shoemaker, '89; negative, N. F. Hesseltine, 88, and G. A. Reisner, '89. The vote on the skill of argument of these disputants resulted in favor of the negative, 35 votes to 19.

The following gentlemen spoke from the floor: affirmative, Shattuck, '87, Frye, Sp., Dean, '88, Buck, '87; negative, Porter, '89, Bronson, Sp., J. W. Richardson, '86, Thayer, '89, Hammerslough, '88, McAfee, Sp., Platt, '88, Poppleton, '87, Currier, '87, Duane, '88, Chenoweth, '88, Rich, '87, Williams, '88, Page, '85. The vote on the merits of the debate as a whole resulted, affirmative, 3; negative, 14.

The debate as a whole was very interesting, and the spirit with which the labor problem was discussed shows that Harvard men are not entirely indifferent to the cause of the laboring man. The general trend of the argument was that the Knights of Labor would not promote the welfare of the working classes; that on the concentration of so much power in the hands of men not thoroughly versed in economic science would be a perpetual menace to our free institution.

The secrecy of the organization was severely criticised. Several speakers advocated a more extended trial of co-operation where the laborer might participate in the gains of the capitalists. Strong emphasis was laid on the fact that the existence of so powerful a body as the Knights of Labor, would not bring capital and labor into more friendly relations; and that only through harmonious action between these two instruments of production could the laborer expect to receive better compensation.

The following question was chosen for the next debate: Resolved, "That Home Rule in Ireland is indispensable to the future welfare of the British Empire."