Brief for the affirmative:

Resolved, That the McKinley Bill should be immediately repealed.

G. T. GOLDTHWAITE and R. L. O'BRIEN.

Best General Reference: "The Popular Voice in Elections," Nation, Nov. 27, 1890.

1. In a free government the sover-eignty rests with the people, and any policy must ultimately receive their approval. a. Our government is but a development from government by direct vote of the people; J. K. Hosmer, "Anglo Saxon Freedom," Chap. 1, pp. 5.8. b. On all questions the people are the final committee of revision.

II. The election of 1890 was practically a submission of the McKinley Bill to the people, making full allowance for local and o her subordiuate issues: Mr. Blaine's speech at Canton, Ohio. Oct. 27; Andrew Canegie in N. Y. Trib., (Pub. Opin., Nov. 15); Interview with T. B. Reed (Nation. Nov. 8); W. E. Russell's campaign in Mass. (Files of the Boston Post); Interviews in the Boston Post, Nov. 5, with Grover Cleveland, H. C. Lodge, and J. D. Long.

III. The people rejected the McKinley Bill: Returns of Nov. 5.

IV. The people's veto should be respected,- Precedents show that J. Congress in the past has listened to the voice of the people, a. Pendleton Civil Service Act passed by the short session of the 47th Cong.: Civil Service R cord June. 1882; McPherson's Handbook of Politics for 1884; Nation. Jan. 11, 1883; Merriam's Bowles, II-230. b. Legislations of 1862; Blaine's "Twenty Years of Congress," Chap xvi. c. Repeal of the Embargo Act, 1809. d. Removal of the Deposits in 1883. 2. Commercial and business interests demand stability. 3 Since the McKinley bill must be repealed, it should be done at once: a To escape unfriendly retaliatory measures; b. To conduce to the success of the World's Fair: Nation L. 272,46. c. Any overthrow of vested interests becomes dangerous.

Brief for the Negative:

S. C. BRACKETT and F. H. HITCHCOCK.Best general references: President's 2d message to 51st Cong., Boston Jour., Dec. 2. 1890; Senator Hoar in Boston Jour., Nov. 26. '90; McKinley's speech in House, May 7. '90; Dingley's speech in House, May 10, 1890; R. G Horr in N. Y. Tribune. Dec. 3. '90.

I. The presumption is against the repeal of a bill which has not been fairly tried 1. It is barely two months since the bill was passed; Cong. Record 51st Cong., P. 11758. 2. Some of its most important provisions not yet in force; President's 2d message, Boston Jour., Dec. 2, '90.

II. The bill carries out the will of the country as expressed in 1888. 1. It is in harmony with the principles of the last Republican Platform; Tribune Almanac, '89. 2. It fulfills the pledges made by Harrison and his supporters in the campaign of 1888.

III. The recent elections cannot be fairly taken as a popular verdict against the bill, for the following causes influenced the result:- 1. The usual effecs of an off year; Blaine's speech at Phila.; N. Y. Tribune, Oct. 22, '90. 2. Misrepresentation as to prices; N. Y. Commercial Bull., Oct. '90, 3. Minor local issues: Quay, school laws, etc.; N. Y. Weekly Tribune, Dec. 3. '90. 4. Farmers' Alliance; Public opinion. Vol. X. pp. 169-172.

IV. The bill is a good measure. 1. It has been drawn up with the greatest care; Hoar in Boston Jour., Nov. 26, '90. 2. It will reduce the revenues without sacrificing protection; McKinley's speech in House, May 7, '90. 3. By its reciprocity provision, it will greatly extend the market for our products; Blaine's speech at Canton, O., Oct, 29, '90. 4 There is as yet no proof of evil results from the bill; President's 2d message, Boston Jour., Dec. 2, '90.

V. The immediate repeal would be a. Unjust to its framers. b. Fatal to Republican harmony; Puplic Opinion, X. p. 122. c. Of no advantage to Democrats. d. Dangerous to merchants who are carrying very heavy stocks.

VI. An absolute unqualified repeal would leave us without any revenue system; McKinley bill, 53; Tyndall, C. J. in Key v. Goodwin, 4 Moore and Payne, 351; Surtees v. Ellison, 9 B. and C. 752.