DEBATE OF JANUARY 18, 1888.Resolved, That the best interests of the United States demand the return to power of the Republican party.

Brief for the Affirmative.D. G. Dickinson and F. W. Knowles.

Best single reference: Stanwood's Presidential Elections, 236-397.

I. The financial policy of the Republican party, which includes a revision of the tariff and a reduction of the surplus, together with protection to home industries, would promote the welfare of the country. References: John Sherman speech of Jan. 4, 1888, in Boston Herald of Jan. 5; the Forum for August and December, 1887; Stebbin's American Protectionist Manual; No. Am. Review, Jan., 1888.

II. It is the party of true civil service reform, and opposed to the Democratic principle of "reform without works." References: Senator Hale's speech of Jan. 11 1888, in Boston Herald of Jan. 12, and in Congressional Record.

III. It would promote the welfare of the country by carrying out its principles of (a) a respectable foreign policy; (b) the suppression of Mormonism; (c) a free ballot and an honest count. References: The Philadelphia Press, Jan. 4, 1888; Stanwood's Presidential Elections; "Platform Promises," 1864-1884 (MS. pamphlet).

Brief for the Negative.E. A. Harriman and F. H. Bottum.

I. The success of the Republican party would lead to an unwise foreign politicy.- Blaine's Foreign Policy (pam.); The Proudest Chapter of his Life, (pam.)

II. It would not improve the financial administrations.- Rpts. Sec. Treas. 1885, 1886, 1887.

III. It would not improve the civil service.- N. A. Rev., Dec., 1887, 4; Lambert, Progress of Civil Service Reform, 7-24.- Civil Service Record, I, 33, II., 17, 20, 33, 36, 44, 64, 79; III., 16, 45.

IV. It would compel the retention of an unwise system of taxation.- Harper's Mag., Jan., 1888, 272; N. A. Rev. 143: 398; Cleveland's Message, Boston Herald, Dec. 7; Blaine's Criticism, Herald, Dec. 8; Sherman's Speech, Herald, Jan. 5; Tariff Reform Speeches, Herald, Dec. 30; Nation, Dec., 1887.

V. It would perpetuate sectional hatred,-Nation, in 44: 259, 307, 479, 542. Grady's speech, Boston Globe, Dec. 22, 1886.

VI. No better general legislation could be expected.

(a) Interstate Commerce Act; (b) Blair Education Bill.- N. Y. Evening Post, reprint of editorials (pam.); Cong. Record, 47th Cong., 1st session, p. 4820. (c) Dependent Pension Bill.- Nation, vol. 44: 44, 92, 136, 153.

VII. The personnel of the administration would not be improved.- Address of Independents, '84 (pam.)