Harper's New Monthly Magazine Vol. 30 Issue 176 pg. 266 A number of years ago, when those who are now steady and thorough-going business-men were boys living in the town of Livonia, Livingston, County, New York, they formed a debating club, which met in what is called the East School-house. Debating evenings the neighbors would call in to see what the boys were about. It was customary with the society to choose one of the spectators chairman for the evening, to hear the arguments and decide the question. One evening a fellow by the name of Solomon T---- made his .appearance He being a very knowing fellow, the boys thought, for the fun of the thing, they would make him chairman. Upon being announced chairman Sol took his seat with a great deal of dignity and importance. The question read as follows: "Resolved, that the negroes have more cause of complaint then the Indians." It was stipulated that the question should be confined to the United States. The chief disputant on the affirmation oopenedthe debate and made a speech to sustain his position, every word of which was listened to with close attention from the chairman. The disputant on the negative made a few remarks in answer, and then turned to the Bible and commenced reading passages for the purpose of proving slavery right, and by that means intended to show that the negroes had not been wronged. Sol heard him for a short time, and then jumped up and said in a loud voice to the speaker: "Stop right where you are. Don't go any further. You have gone out of the United States for argument." ------------------------------------ This is another one of those old humorous ones like the Minister story I just sent over, (which I thought was cute with a touch of local history) -- Cindy Amrhein Town of Alabama Historian Genesee Co., NY ********************** Historian's Page - Alabama, NY http://www2.pcom.net/cinjod/historian/ Experience the town of Alabama in Genesee County, New York. History, tombstone inscriptions, census records, history of the Tonawanda Seneca Indians and the Iroquois. Enjoy a good murder mystery? Read about the murders of Polly Frisch. APHNYS (The Association of Public Historians of New York State) http://www.tier.net/aphnys/ Genesee County, NY website. Includes History Department, (under "Historian") http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/ The Genesee Area Genealogy Society lists the names and addresses for all the Genesee & Wyoming County Historians http://www.rootsweb.com/~nygags/hist.htm