English VI.

Question: Resolved, that the supporters of the Populist party have substantial gri-vances, which their movement is likely to relieve.

Brief for the Affirmative.

F. W. DALLINGER and R. G. DODGE.

Best general references: Gen. Weaver, A Call to Action; Peffer, The Farmer's Side; Platform of People's Party; Forum, VIII, 464-473 (Dec. 1889); Arena, V, 726-732 (May, 1892) and VI, 201-204 (July 1892); Sec'y Rusx in N. A. Review, vol. 152, pp. 423 430 (Apr. 1891); N. A. Review, vol. 153, pp. 220-226 (Aug. 1891).

I. The existence of substantial grievances behind the Populist movement is proved by - (a) The sudden and powerful uprising among the agricultural portion of the community: Forum, X, 315-316; Arena, V, 726. - (b) Great strength developed by the party in the recent election.

II. Chief among these grievances are the following: - (a) Wretched condition of agriculture as compared with other occupations: The Farmer's Side, Parts I and II; N. A. Review, vol. 152, pp. 425-428; Forum, X, 346-355; Andover Review, XIV, 128. - (b) Existence and growth of great monopolies. - (c) Inadequacy and unsuitableness of our national currency: N. A. Review, vol. 153, pp. 222-224. - (d) Farmer's lack of due influence in politics: N. A. Review, vol. 153, pp. 9-10.

III. These grievances are due to the causes which can be removed by legislation. - (a) Extortions of railroads, middle-men, and banks: Forum, VIII, 465. - (b) Exemption of the rich from taxation on their incomes: Arena, July, 1892, p. 202. - (c) Contraction of the currency: The Farmer's Side, ch. IX; Mrs. Emery, Seven Financial Conspiracies, ch. IV. - (d) Unequal system of tariff taxation: Carlisle in Forum, VIII, 475.

IV. The Populist movement is likely to result in such legislation. - (a) It has opened the eyes of the people to the deplorable condition of the farmers: Andover Review, XIV, 139. - (b) Its strength must inevitably secure concessions from the two great parties. - (c) The questions it raises are all vital questions which demand speedy consideration: Arena, July, 1892, p. 204.

Brief for the Negative.

A. S. APSEY, and A. P. STONE.

Best general references: Nation LII, 104 (Feb. 5, 1891), LI. 84 (July 31, 1890); People's Party Platform adopted at Omaha July 4, 1892, in the leading dalies of July 5th, H. R. Chamberlain, Farmer's Alliance, pp. 13-21, 44-50. 52-64.

I. The Populist party seeks to aggregate rather than to lessen class distinctions; Public Opinion IX, 386-408. - (a) The extravagances of the platform prove this; see platform. - (b) In its eagerness to fight monopolists the Populist party has adopted ridiculus and inconsistent theories: Public Opinion X, 610; Nation L. 169.

II. The Populist party advocates impossible socialistic and financial schemes. - (a) Socialistic. e. g. Sup+++ treasury and government control of railways: Nation, L. 404: Public Opinion VIII, 532, IX, 167 168, 241, 408, 475, X. 172, 219, 220, 565, 61 613. - (b) Financial, e. g. Free Silver and the abolition of Nat. Banking: Nation, LII. 104, 229, 230; American, XIX 447; Public Opinion, X. 171, 217, 218.

III. The Populist movement thus far has been only injurious to the public welfare - (a) Valuable statesmen have been driven out of public life: Boston Post, Mar 18, 1891 - (b) Legislation in the States controlled by Populists has been of the worst kind: Nation L, 480, LI. 390 LII. 188, 201, 310.

IV. The issues raised by the Populist party are not national, and therefore cannot prevail, e. g. History of the Know-Nothing, Greenback, and Prohibition parties; Public Opinion IX. 216, 241, X. 217, 321, 610, 611; Nation L. 69.