Debate of Dec. 14, 1893.Question: "Resolved, That party affiliation in politics is preferable to independent action."

Brief for the Affirmative.AVERY COONLEY and A. D. GREENFIELD.Best general references: H. C. Lodge, Party Allegiance, in Historical and Political Essays; W. Gladden, Century, VI, 270.

I. The party system forms the root and basis of our political institutions. Am. Commonwealth, II, p. 3; Macy, Our Government, ch. 34.

II. Therefore, the character of the party determines the condition of the whole political system. Thus, if the party organization is corrupt, the evil is felt throughout the whole body politic.

III. Hence it is of vital importance that the party organization should be pure.

IV. The purification must come from within the party. (a) This is the only genuine and thorough purification. (b) Purification by independent action (through balance of power) has bad effects. (1) It withdraws the best element from the party. (2) It obscures legitimate party issues, by making an issue of political purity, which is not a proper subject for party differences. New Englander, vol. 45, p. 859-60.

Brief for the Negative.D. J. GALLERT and W. S. HOCKLEY.Best general references: Bryce, Am. Com. II, ch. 62, 63, 65, 67 (edition of 1891); J. R. Lowell: The Independent in Politics; Moorefield Story, reported in Harvard Crimson of Oct. 29, 1891; F. A. P. Barnard in Forum, IX, pp. 117.

I. The present party system is bad. (a) It results in government for the machine instead of for the people. Goldwin Smith in North Am. Rev. vol. 155, p. 582. Hence (1) Rotation in office; (2) Geographical appointments; (3) Unfit or corrupt officials. Roosefelt: Practical Politics, pp. 11-41. (b) It results in responsibility to the party, not to the people. (c) It gives undue influence to certain sections; Chinese and Silver questions. (d) Strict party government results in a rule by but little over one-quarter of the voters.

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