The Kansas University Weekly
VOL. VI
OL. VI LAWRENCE, KANSAS, JANUARY, 1901.
NO.17.
As to the Kansas-Missouri Debate.
The following article appeared in the Christmas number of the M. S. U. Independent:
It would seem that Kansas is not at all anxious to meet us in debate this year, judging from the way the committee at Lawrence treated us. It has been the custom for one university to submit to the other five questions from which they selected one. Last year Kansas sent five questions to Missouri and we chose one. This year the committee sent the following questions to Kansas:
1. That congress should possess exclusive power of legislation respecting trusts.
2. That representatives in congress should be apportioned among the several states according to the number of their male citizens 21 years of age, who possess the elective franchise.
3. That the United States ought to construct, fortify and operate an Isthmian canal.
4. That United States senators should be elected by direct vote of the people.
5. That the United States should endeavor to realize the Hamiltonian theory of government.
They had objections to make against (3) and (4) that might be worthy of consideration, but they did not even take the trouble to refer to the others, simply passing them over and rejecting the whole lot At the same time this Kansas committee had the nerve to ask that they be allowed to submit one question for us to accept or
refuse. This means one of two things: That they want an advantage somehow or, wish to force us to refuse to debate. We can not believe that this represents the spirit of Kansas University or any considerable number of her students. but that it is the work of a few fellows who happen to be on a committee, who ought to be kicked out of office.
The above roast deserves some consideration since the facts in the case seem to be entirely unknown to our Missouri friends. The boys over there have evidently been wasting a little of their brain power. If they would read up a little on the rules governing the inter-state debates they might find less reason for complaint.
In section VIII of the by-laws governing the inter-state debates is the following:
"Tne university where the debate is to be held shall propose not later than Nov. 28th, at least five questions from which not later than Dec. 5th the other university shall select one, or shall return five questions from which not later than Dec. 20th the former university shall select one."
So after all, our committee did right. They rejected questions 1, 2 and 5, because any ordinary person will admit they are ambiguous. No. 3 will be debated with Nebraska this year and No.4 was the Colorado question last year. Kansas made no display of never by submitting questions. She only did what the by-laws advise. We stand by our committee and we feel that Missouri will withdraw her kick after a little thought.