Debate of Nov. 5, 1896.Question: "Resolved, That the proposed constitutional amendments for biennial elections should be adopted by the people of Massachusetts."

Brief for the Affirmative.H. B. HUNTINGTON '97 and W. L. RUMSEY '97.

Best general references: A. H. Rice, Biennial Elections (1886); E. H. Haskell, Biennial Elections (1896); E. L. Pierce, Boston Traveller, Feb. 13, 1896.

Introduction.The proposed amendments provide that the governor and other state officers and the members of the Legislature of Massachusetts, who are now elected annually, shall be elected for a term of two years, beginning with the election of 1898, i. e., at the same time as the election of Congressmen.

Brief Proper.I. Annual elections have grave defects. A. Their frequency presents dangers. (1) The work must be left to professional politicians and bosses. (a) Few of the best men can actively participate. (2) Constantly recurring elections breed neglect of issues. (a) In off-years half the registered voters do not vote in Massachusetts. (b) On the average only 67 per cent. vote in Massachusetts. (c) In representative biennial election states 80 per cent, and over vote. (E. H. Haskell, Biennial Elections, p. 13.) B. They are expensive. (1) $148,000 is spent on a single election. (Mr. Winn, Boston Traveller, Feb. 13.) C. They tend to inefficiency in governement. (1) Governor is hindered in performance of his duties. (2) The Legislature requires too long sessions. (a) The average session is longer than the average of Congress or Parliament. (3) They lead to incompetence in legislation. (a) Committees waste time. (b) In 1894 93 acts of previous sessions were amended or repealed.

II. Biennial elections are an improvement. A. Being less frequent they present advantages. (1) Professional politicians will find employment only at greater intervals. (2) They lead to an increased vote. (a) This has been the result in other states. B. They are economical. (1) They save the expense of one election every two years. (2) They save $100,000 in shortening legislative term. (3) They do away with the unnecessary length of session C. Biennials tend to better legislation. (1) Legislators are more carefully elected. (2) Legislators will be better trained. (3) Increased term tends to do away with hasty legislation.

III. These amendments may be safely adopted. A. They have been discussed thoroughly. B. They would not prevent re-election of officers. (1) "At least one endowment commends itself to the general sense of fairness and propriety." H. C. Lodge, Biennial Elections, '86, p. 99). C. This plan is supported by experienced public-spirited men irrespective of party. D. Forty-six of the states have tried biennial elections with marked success. E. Newest states whose constitutions have been framed with greatest care all at the outset adopted binnial elections.

Brief for the Negative.SINCLAIR KENNEDY '97, and ROBET D. JENKS '97.

Best general references: R. L. Bridgman, Biennial Elections; New England Magazine, April, 1893. Publications of Anti-Biennial League.

I. The two objections to annual elections, viz.: expense and trouble, are without weight. (A) Expense is very slight. (1) Only four cents per capita spent by the state on its an ual election. (G) Bradford's speech of Oct. 13, 1896). (B) Trouble is wisely taken (E. E. Hale's Speech at Faneuil Hall, Oct. 23, 1896) Government by the people is founded upon trouble for the people. (a) Educational influence is great. (x) Keeps state issues before the public. (y) "Political judgment grows by exercise." Bridgeman, p. 29.

II. The results of the adoption of these two amendments, viz., biennial elections, will be harmful. A. Biennial elections will weaken local self-government. (1) Will lessen the power of the people. (a) They can rebuke representatives only half as often. (2) Politicians will look upon Massachusetts politics solely from the the point of view of national party supremacy. (Speech of E. E. Hale, Oct. 23, 1896). (a) State elections are thus made subordinate to national. (x) Elections will be on national issues. (y) Offices will be filled with reference to national politics: Examples, Governor Powers, notorious for his acquirement of State lands for a nominal sum, owes his election to national issues; In 1888 in N. Y. Republicans voted for Governor Hill [Democratic] in return for Democratic votes for Harrison. (B) Biennial elections will make executive less effective. (1) Re-election of governor less probable: Example, almost all the governors in the annual states in recent years have served three terms; but few in biennial states. Tribune Almanac, 1884-1896. (2) Executives will appoint weak commissions. (a) Appointments will be on party lines. (x) The governors have been elected purely on party issues: Example, Capable railroad commissioners in Mass., and poor ones in N. Y. (c) Biennial elections will make the State legislature less effective. (1) It will produce "green" legislatures. (a) Few members re-elected (Vermont legislatures-vide Bridgman, p. 25). (b) Owing to "district" system in Mass., the representatives of other towns must have a chance within ten years. (2) Will produce corrupt legislatures. (a) Will be more subject to corporation influence. (x) Self, not constituents, considered by members. (b) Will be further from control of their constituents. (x) They have no expectation of re-election. (y) Their terms are twice as long.