Harvard Union Debate.

The question debated last night by the Harvard Union, was this:

Resolved, That the incoming president should retain in office efficient Democratic officials.

Mr. Wells '90 opened for the affirmative. President Harrison is pledged by his letter of acceptance, and by the Republican platform to support civil service reform. If he does not it will be a betrayal of trust. Reform is necessary to give efficiency to the government.

Mr. Warner, L. S. spoke first on the negative. Nobody supports the spoils syste; it is felt to be bad, but how shall the difficulty be met? The question under consideration is as pleasing to the ordinary young man as the smile of his best girl. How well "efficient officials" sounds. A large number of democrats are efficient, if not, the fear of removal will make them so. To be sure, there are the republicans who held the offices four years ago. They are just as experienced, but to put them in the places of democrats would be rotation, and that is to be avoided. It is useless for one party to retain its political opponents in office, if the other party will not do the same in its turn.

The result would be that the democarts would hold all the offices even under a republican administration. The republicans wish to extend the civil service laws and thus secure fair play for both parties.

Mr. Thayer, '89, spoke next on the affirmative. A government is like a great farm. The owner chooses the head farmers to carry out his ideas of the best interests of the estate. If a new owner comes in who does not believe in the methods of the former landlord, it is proper for him to select new servants to carry out his ideas. These men must know their business, and, besides, must be interested in the success of the owner. Under these, however, are the laborers who perform routine work. Is it wise to turn these men out even if they do not belong to the owner's political party? The longer they have worked, the better they know their business. Only the efficient Democrats, however few, should be retained. Perpetual rotation is hostile to the best interest of the government.

Mr. Surbridge, '89, closed for the negative. Even on an estate it will not do to have laborers and tenants hostile to the owner. The whole system must be in accord. Men of bad moral character should never be retained, even if efficient. The so-called convict appointees of Cleveland should be replaced by Republicans, even if they can do their work. The civil service rules should be extended so as to cover all the offices. Under this system no questions are asked about political beliefs. If the present incumbents can pass the examinations, and are men of honor, integrity, and patriotism, let them be retained, but not otherwise.

Speakers from the floor: W. Naumburg '89, J. F. Morton '92. R. B. Hale '91, E. H. Jackson '92, F. H. Krebs L S., J. L. Dodge '91, C. F. Ayer L. S., G. B. Schulte L. S., C. T. R. Bates '92, Lewis Hall '92. M. B. Clarke L. S., H. F. Berry '92, C. Macy '92, R. L. O' Brien L. S. S., R. W. Hale '92, W. P. Tryon '92, S. A. Davis Sp., C. R. Cummings '92, T. T. Chave '91, E. H. Savory L. S., F. A. Foxcroft '90, H. L. Oxnard L. S., H. H. Harris '92, J. E. Young '92, H. T. Hammond '92, C. H. C. Wright '92, P. L. Horne '92, E. S. Berry '91, T. Woodbury '89.

Vote on the merits of the question-affirmative 37, negative 12.

Vote on the debate by the principal disputants-affirmative 25, negative 40.

Vote on the merits of the debate as a whole-affirmative 22. negative 8.

There were 85 men present.

The question for next time is "Resolved, That the elective franchise should be extended to women."