DEBATE OF NOVEMBER 14. 1888.Question: Resolved, That the U. S. Government ought to interfere and protect the southern negro in the exercise of the suffrage.

Brief for the Affirmative.E. S. Griffing '89 and J. P. Nields '89.

Best general references: Tourgee's Appeal to Caesar; United States Constitution.

1. The negro vote is suppressed. (a) It is natural that it should be suppressed. (b) It is in fact suppressed:- Appeal to Caesar, pp 68-87; Forum. Dec, 1887, Vol. 4, No. 4. pp 376-387; N. A. Rev., March 1879, Vol. 128, pp 227, 242, 282; Contemp. Rev. Vol. 53, pp 443; Cable's Silent South passim.

2. The suppression of the vote is an evil. (a) For the negro. (b) For the State. (c) For the people of the United States. (d) For the U. S. Government:- Appeal to Caesar, pp 199-224; 88-107; 22-36; and passim. N. A. Rev. March 1879, Vol. 129, pp 227, 231, 233.

3. The U. S. Government can interfere. (a) It is given rights by the constitution:- Constitution, 14th Amend., Clause 2, Art. 1, Sec. 4, Cl. 1., Art. IV. Sec. 4; N. A. Rev. May, 1879 Vol. 128, pp 458-461; Cong. Record 1879, 45 Cong. 3 Sess. No. 143, Vol. 8, pt. 2. Feb. 3, Feb. 5, passim and especially pp 559, 560, 997, 999, 1005, 1025, 1029.

4. The U. S. Government should interfere. (a) The central power should interfere rather than a state power. (b) The laws are U. S. laws and the U. S. should enforce them. (c) The elections are U. S. elections and the U. S. does and should have jurisdiction over them. (d) The U. S. is the only power which can interfere satisfactorily.

Brief for the Negative.J. S. Stone and F. W. Thayer.

Best general reference: Desty's Federal Constitution, pp 279-288, 326-333; Bump's Notes of Constitutional Decisions, pp 369-381; Pomeroy's Constitutional Law, pp 174-183; E. C. Walthell, The Race Problem in the South, in Cong. Record, Aug. 27, 1888, p 8854.

1. No such power is granted the U. S. Government by the constitution:- Cong. Record, 1874-1875, Appendix, pp 103, 113, 117, 143, 156. (a) All powers not granted by the constitution are reserved to the States:- Constitution, amendment 10. (b) Powers actually granted are express powers or powers derived by neccesary implication:- Cong. Record, 1879, part 2, p 955. 11 Wallace. p 113.

2. Such interference has been decided unconstitutional by U. S. Supreme Court:- 109 U. S. 3; see also 92 U. S., 214, 542 et ref.

3. The thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth amendments do not interfere with the police powers of the States:- 18 Wallace, p 138; 16 Wallace, 62.

4. The condition of the negro in the South is improving:- Cong. Record, Aug. 27, 1888, pp 8860, 8862-63.

5. Interference in the past has failed:- N. A. Rev. Vol. 142, p 134; Alex. Johnston "United States" in Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol. XXIII, p 784.

6. Public opinion and education are the only permanent remedies:- Forom Vol. 1, p 562, Vol. 4, p 268.

7. In consequence of the formation of new party lines, the negro vote will be sought by politicians.