For much of the 20th century (into the 1950s, at least; I haven’t yet followed this forward in time) one of the MIA’s (Mutual Improvement Association = youth activities) regular actives was formal debate. Just as baseball might occupy a season in the summer, debate was a winter activity to which the young people would devote a month in addition to their usual classwork.

In 1921, that month was December.

Here are the instructions distributed to ward MIAs to guide their debate season in 1921.

A Debate.

Purpose—Debating as practiced in the associations should have two main purposes: First, to train the young men and women in public speaking, and, second, to train them in clear, logical thought based upon accurate information.

INSTRUCTIONS.

Before a debate, the two teams, or associations, or sides, should formulate a written agreement covering the following points:

1. The time and place of the contest.

2. The time for submitting the question and by which team it shall be submitted.

3. The time for the team receiving the question to return its choice of side.

4. The number of debaters on each side and the length and order of their speeches.

5. The method of choosing judges. Judges should render their decision without consultation.

In selecting a question for debate care should be taken to choose a subject upon which difference of opinion may fairly exist, in fact one upon which public opinion is divided. questions should be chosen, the study of which will be worth the while of the debaters and the discussion of which will be beneficial and enlightening to the hearers.

Each team may consist of either two or three debaters. The contest will probably be long enough with two on a side.

Principal speeches should be from ten to fifteen minutes in length. A good order is as follows: first affirmative speaker, 15 minutes; first negative, 15 minutes; second affirmative, 15 minutes; second negative, 20 minutes, 15 for is principal speech and 5 for closing rebuttal and summary for his side; followed by a five-minute closing rebuttal by one of the affirmative speakers. If desired, the five-minute closing rebuttal may be given as a second speech to the first negative speaker instead of adding it to the time of the second speaker, but the affirmative must always close the debate.

Another plan which has some advantage over the first is to give each man a principal and a rebuttal speech.

Three judges should be chosen but no person should be retained as a judge who is not acceptable to both sides.

It should be the primary purpose of each team to present clearly and fairly the arguments for its side and to defend its position with as much information and logical argument as possible. this requires much careful study and preparation.

Mere assertion of one’s own opinion has no argumentative force and should be avoided. Attempted flights of oratory should also be omitted.

It should not be forgotten that there are two sides to every controversy, and that there is room for perfectly honest and friendly differences of opinion on most questions.

The debates should be opened and closed by music and prayer, and conducted in an academic spirit of fairness and with a view to getting at the truth. it is no disparagement to be defeated in a contest so conducted.

Respectful courtesy should be shown on both sides, and all personalities avoided. In referring to the debaters on the opposite side, no names should be used, bur rather the expression, “the gentleman, or speaker on the affirmative,” or “negative,” as the case may be.

Improper motives should not be attributed. Only small, petty minds do that. A debate should never degenerate into mere contention. It is held to get information, gather knowledge and ascertain the truth, and not to gain personal advantage.

The wording of the question should be agreed upon by both sides, and a definition of terms should be thoroughly understood. The debaters should confine themselves to the points of the question, and not permit themselves to treat topics not germane to the issue. A chairman should be chosen to conduct the debate, who will announce the subject, the names of the judges, the respective speakers, and the decision of the judges, and see that the debate is carried on in fairness.

Let the discussion close with the debate, and not be carried on later, nor on the outside. In regard to the judges, let it be remembered that their decisions are only the opinions of three out of the many who have listened, and that their decisions do not necessarily settle the merits of the question—only the points of that debate—in their opinion.

Officers desiring to debate other questions that those suggested, should submit them to the General Boards for approval.

Suggested List of Subjects for Debate.

Resolved:

1. That the United States should pass laws prohibiting strikes in essential industries.

2. That women should receive the same wages as men for the same amount of work performed.

3. That a family of boys is more expensive than a family of girls.

4. That a neat, clean, high-tempered girl makes a better wife than a careless, untidy, good-natured girl.

5. That the United states should exclude the Japanese from its territory.

6. That immigration into the Untied states of all foreigners, except students for a specified purpose and period, be prohibited during the next ten years.

7. That continual effort brings greater success than does exceptional ability.

8. That soldiers and warriors do more for advancement than statesmen.

9. That the government should pas a graduated income tax.

10. That a spender is of more value in a community than a saver.

11. That municipal ownership of public utilities is more beneficial than private ownership.

12. That advancement in reclamation work will do more to lift the character of our citizenship than restrictions on immigration.

13. That the United States should appoint a Board of Arbitration to settle all labor disputes.

14. That there should be universal disarmament.

15. That it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

16. That it is better to be short than tall.

17. That education is more to be desired than riches.

18. That there should be compulsory Arbitration for all labor disputes.

19. That man is more useful around the house than in it.

20. That music will develop refinement more than any other one accomplishment.

21. That anticipation is a greater pleasure than realization.

22. That the President of the United stats should be elected by popular vote.

23. That all city and county officers should be 4lected on a non-partisan ticket.

24. That the Constitution of the United States should be amended so that congressmen should take their seats the first Monday in December after their election.

25. That women should propose.

26. That the path to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

27. That men lose their hair because of great brain capacity.

-oooOooo-

Some of the suggested questions are obviously more humorous than serious. In other years, the humorous topics were segregated from the serious ones:

In 1921 (the month for debate in the 1920-21 season was January, so there were two debates held that calendar year):

That a newspaper is a better companion for a man than a wife.

That men should do the house work.

That tall men make better husbands than short men.

In 1923:

That an old maid is of more benefit to a community than an old bachelor.

That women are as brave as men.

That the broom is of more value than the dishrag.

In 1924,the advice was that “If humorous debates are chosen, they should occupy only a brief time, not an entire evening.”