system an injustice to the people, and that it does not represent
the popular vote; that the present system makes national issues
the basis of State elections, and that State issues are sacrified for
national issues was very well brought out. After dwelling upon
the evils of gerrymandering, Mr. Reno proved the proposed
change would do away with deadlocks. Mr. Thomson, follow
ing on the affirmative, after establishing the point that under the
present system there is often a failure to elect, showed how the
present system makes it possible to use political influence in elec
tions. The proposed system is only a simplification of the present
one and it would tend to diminish bribery, was well brought out.
Mr. Thomson closed his remarks by showing the proposed system
would elevate both the Senate and the people.
The chief arguments used by Dickinson were:—That the best
legislatures consist of two Houses chosen in a different manner;
that the Senate was wisely conceived, is good, and that the present
system has worked well. They claimed the House to be deficient,
and the change would transfer elections to nominating conven
tions, from a responsible party to an irresponsible one. They
said the present system is better because the people do rash things
in passion while the sober after-thought would condemn them.
They claimed the change would lower...the character of Senate and
proposed to do away with dead-locks by substituting pluralities
for majorities in the Legislatures. Dickinson lost much valuable
time by rehashing this last argument which was finally rebutted
by Mr. Wood in his closing remarks. The judges decided
unanimously in favor of the affirmative.
ED. NOTU.—We are very sorry that for an unforeseen circum
stance we did not get Dickinson's argument in detail.
The Concert given in the Chapel on April 15th, for the benefit
of the Track Team, was rendered before a very appreciative
audience,—a double programme having been given. It con
sisted of vocal and instrumental solos, piano duets, and selections
by the Women's Glee Club and•the Mandolin Club. The banjo
solos of Chas. M. Atherton in particular received repeated encores.
On April 18, Prof. E. E. Sparks, formerly Professor of the
Preparatory Department of this Institution, but now Professor of
History in the University of Chicago, delivered a lecture on
" From Columbus to Cervera." The lecture, an illustrated
one, was given for the benefit of the Public Library. In his