DEBATE OF APRIL 25, 1888.Question: "Resolved, That the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers has promoted the interests of its members and those of the community at large."

Brief for the Affirmative.H. W. Hervey and J. M. Shahan.

Labor association is indispensable and in general is beneficial alike to laborers and the community: Thorold Rogers, Work and Wages, p. 36 and 523; Mill's Political Economy, Bk. V, Ch. 10, Sec. 5.

I. Combination of laborers is necessary to conduct and enforce treaties with employers. Lectures by Prof. F. G. Peabody.

II. Trades Unions have already done much to improve the intelligence and character of the laboring classes and are recognized as legitimate and just: Statistics of Labor, (1873) p. 261; Ely, Labor Movement in America, p. 131.

III. The primary objects of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers are beneficial aid, charity and mutual improvement-(a) Engineers of intelligence and good character only may be admitted to the Brotherhood. (b) Members who engage in liquor selling or illegal business are disqualified for membership: McNeil's Labor Movement in America; Constitution of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

IV. The conduct of the Brotherhood has been uniformly on the side of law and order-(a) Its attitude has been anti-political and opposed to strikes. (b) The relations of the members in their organization are such as promote forbearance moderation and elevating influences: Constitution and By-laws of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers; Address of P. M. Arthur, 1881.

Brief for the Negative.C. De V. Musaus and F. B.'s Williams.

Best single reference: Editorials in the Nation for March 8, 22, 29, 1888.

I. The brotherhood has not promoted the interests of its members, since (a) its action has tended to decrease rather than increase the net reward of their labor: Report Mass. R. R. Commission for 1887 on B. and M. strike; daily papers on C., B. and Q. strike (March-April, 1888), especially Boston Herald, March 18, 1888; (b) its educational effect is nil; (c) it incites to violence: Report of Sec. of State of Penn., on the riot of 1877; Boston Globe for March 30, 31; Post, April 3; Herald, April 4.

II. The brotherhood does not benefit the community, since (a) by its action commerce is obstructed: Boston Herald, March 8; Nation, March 8, 1888. (b) And property destroyed. The object of the order is selfish: Taussig, South-Western Strike, Quarterly Journal of Economics for Jan. 1887, p. 199.