Marquette Debate Society
The Marquette Debating Society was founded in September of 1902 by Father Redmond J. Walsh, S. J. to afford debating opportunities for freshmen and sophomores who were excluded from the Fulton Debating Society. At that time, participation in the Fulton was limited to the best fifty students from the junior and senior classes.
Like the Fulton, the Marquette Society was overseen by a moderator (almost always a Jesuit), elected its own officers, and held its own prize debate.
The officers of the Marquette were elected bi-annually. One interesting feature of the Marquette is that during its first six years, the Marquette elected a leader of the minority instead of a vice president.
The first Marquette Prize Debate topic in 1903 was, “Resolved: That the Immigration Laws by further social and intellectual requirements should be made more stringent.” The topics selected for the Marquette Prize Debate dealt with the leading controversies of the period.
Beginning in 1908, the Marquette Prize Debate winners were awarded a gold medal called the Marquette Prize Medal. For the next fifteen years, the meal was donated by different individuals and organizations. In 1914, the medal was donated by Joseph Lannin, the President of the Boston Red Sox.
In 1924, the Marquette Prize Medal was re-named the Gargan medal when Helena N. Gargan established a permanent trust fund to support the awarding of a gold medal to the winner of the Marquette Prize Debate. The Gargan medal was donated in memory of her deceased husband, Thomas J. Gargan who was a prominent Boston attorney. At some point, the composition of the Gargan medal changed from gold to silver. It is unclear when this change occurred.
All the winners of the Marquette Prize debate are listed under the Gargan Medal winners on the Fulton Debate history page.
Many members of the Marquette continued their debate careers as members of the Fulton Debating Society. So, the history of the Marquette is an integral part of the Fulton Debating Society’s own history.
1958: resolution unkown
1957: resolution unknown
1956: “Resolved: Should Capital Punishment be abolished in Massachusetts?”
1955: "Resolved: That eighteen-year-olds should be allowed to vote."
1954: “"Resolved: That the U.S. should adopt a policy of Free Trade."
1953: Resolution unknown
1952: “Resolved: That President Truman's seizure of the steel mills was in the best interests of the United States.”
1951: “Resolved: That deferments for college students are undemocratic.”
1950: "Resolved: That the U. S. Government should nationalize the basic non-agricultural Industries."
1949: “Resolved: That the Federal Government should adopt a policy for equalizing educational opportunity in tax supported schools by means of annual grants.”
1948: “Resolved: That universal military training should be established.”
1947: "Resolved: That the National Health Plan (Wagner-Murray-Dingle Bill) should be adopted."
1946: “Resolved: That Boston College should grant a Bachelor of Arts degree to students who have not taken Latin.” (note: joint Fulton-Marquette Prize debate)
1945: no debate (World War II)
1944: no debate (World War II)
1943: "Resolved: That the United Nations should establish a permanent Federal Union to insure world peace."
1942: “Resolved: That the United States should adopt a permanent policy of one year's compulsory military training.”
1941: Resolution unknown
1940: “Resolved: That the foreign policy of President Roosevelt is for the best interests of the people of the United States.”
1939: "Resolved: The government should cease to use public funds for the purpose of stimulating business."
1938: "Resolved: That the National Labor Relations Board be empowered to enforce arbitration in all industrial disputes."
1937: “Resolved: That the president's proposal regarding the Supreme Court, embodied in the suggested bill of Feb. 5, be adopted."
1936: "Resolved: That Germany deserves no censure for her military occupation of the Rhineland."
1935: “Resolved: That the Federal Government should own and control the natural resource oil.”
1934: “Resolved: That the essential features of the N.R.A. should be permanently adopted."
1933: "Resolved: That the United States should recognize Soviet Russia,"
1932: “"Resolved: That the several states, acting independently, adopt systems of compulsory unemployment insurance."
1931: “Resolved: That the Beale Plan for Metropolitan Boston be adopted.”
1930: resolution unknown
1929: “Resolved: That the United States should take the first step toward World Disarmament.”
1928: "Resolved: That the United States Government should immediately withdraw the Marines from Nicaragua."
1927: “Resolved: That Congress be empowered by a two thirds vote to overrule decisions of the Supreme Court declaring Federal legislation unconstitutional.”
1926: “Resolved: That the Federal Government should own and operate the anthracite and bituminous coal mines in the United States."
1925: "Resolved: That Capital Punishment under the present conditions should be abolished.''
1924: “Resolved, "That the Johnson Immigration Bill should replace the present Immigration Law of the United States."
1923: "Resolved: That a State University should be established in Massachusetts."
1922: "Resolved: That the United States should recognize the Soviet Government of Russia.”
1921: "Resolved: That the immigration of the Japanese to the United States should be prohibited."
1920: "Resolved: That the Initiative and Referendum be established for national affairs in the United States."
1919: Resolved: That the State should establish a court of compulsory arbitration for industrial disputes.”
1918: ‘‘Resolved: That Prohibition as set forth in the national amendment is a necessary, effective and lawful measure.”
1917: "Resolved: That Massachusetts should adopt a system of compulsory health insurance."
1916: “"Resolved: That it is in the best interest of the Country that the militia of the different states be federalized.”
1915: "Resolved: That the adoption of a Federal law, forbidding the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquor, except for medicinal, sacrificial and scientific purposes, would be for the best interests of the United States.”
1914: “Resolved: That all American vessels engaged in coastwise traffic should be exempt from payment of tolls in passing through the Panama Canal.’’
1913: “Resolved: "That under present conditions the welfare of the United States demands from all immigrants the fulfillment of an illiteracy test."
1912: “Resolved: That all Corporations engaged in Interstate Commerce should be required to incorporate under a Federal Charter.”
1911: "Resolved: That the Initiative and Referendum as proposed in the Arizona constitution be adopted in Massachusetts."
1910: “Resolved: That the municipal ownership of all theatres would be for the best interests of all the people."
1905: “Resolved: That literacy as defined by the Lodge Bill should not be a test for immigrants.”
1903: “Resolved: That the Immigration Laws by further social and intellectual requirements should be made more stringent.”
Presidents Vice-President
Fall 1957 Brian Moran John R. McNealy
Spring 1958 John R. McNealy Charles O'Malley
Fall 1956 James J. Delaney Thomas Tanous
Spring 1957 Thomas Tanous Brian Moran
Fall 1955 David S. Nelson unknown
Spring 1956 John J. Flynn James J. Delaney
Fall 1954 Edward J. Thomas unknown
Spring 1955 John L. Darcy unknown
Fall 1953 Francis J. Doherty unknown
Spring 1954 William Gannon Brian E. Concannon
Fall 1952 Joseph F. Leonard James E. Martin
Spring 1953 Joseph F. Leonard unknown
Fall 1951 George Parsons John Curtin
Spring 1952 George Parsons John Curtin
Fall 1950 Lorenzo Pinard John McLellan
Spring 1951 John McLellan Al Higham
Fall 1949 Henry M. Tyszkowski William F. Falvey
Spring 1950 John J. Buckley Joseph Gillis
Fall 1948 William J. Dooley Daniel E. Callanan
Spring 1949 Daniel E. Callanan John J. Svagzdys
Fall 1947 Edward L. Fogarty John P. McGonagle
Spring 1948 Edward L. Fogarty John P. McGonagle
Fall 1946 John D. Nicholson James J. Moran
Spring 1947 James Whelton William J. Murphy
Fall 1945 operated jointly with Fulton Debate
Spring 1946 operated jointly with Fulton Debate
Fall 1944 operated jointly with Fulton Debate
Spring 1945 operated jointly with Fulton Debate
Fall 1943 Daniel F. Leary Thomas Walsh
Spring 1944 John J. Burke J. Norman Barrett
Fall 1942 Philip Willett John Moriarty
Spring 1943 Edmund Flaherty Ronald Dunphy
Fall 1941 Robert Lee Donald White
Spring 1942 James F. O’Donnell James Cotter
Fall 1940 Joseph Timpany John Battles
Spring 1941 Robert W. Galligan Robert F. Halligan
Fall 1939 Robert F. Muse John J. Phelan
Spring 1940 John J. Phelan Martin Hansberry
Fall 1938 Walter J. Clear Luke A. Farley
Spring 1939 Luke A. Farley Thomas J. Galligan
Fall 1937 Paul L. Greeley Joseph Driscoll
Spring 1938 Edward M. Greeley Joseph Driscoll
Fall 1936 Francis E. Sullivan William Clifford
Spring 1937 John F. X. Gaquin Charles P. O'Riordan
Fall 1935 Francis E. Sullivan William J. Clifford
Spring 1936 Paul L. Shultz Richard M. Stanton
Fall 1934 John F. Donelan John J. Coughlin
Spring 1935 Daniel H. Hannigan John E. Keary
Fall 1933 Laurence J. Riley Henry G. Beauregard
Spring 1934 Laurence J. Riley Edward I. Fitzmaurice
Fall 1932 John J. Murphy Gabriel J. Ryan
Spring 1933 Raymond L. Belliveau William J. Landrey
Fall 1931 Daniel N. Dwyer Albert Rooney
Spring 1932 John Cline James Fay
Fall 1930 Charles F. Donovan Joseph G. Brennan
Spring 1931 James M. Connolly Charles L. Quinn
Fall 1929 Peter C. Quinn Joseph F. Rogers
Spring 1930 Thomas F. Quinn John E. Reilly
Fall 1928 John J. Wright Joseph A. Burke
Spring 1929 Richard H. Fitzpatrick Edmund K. Cheney
Fall 1927 Edward A. Hogan James B. Murphy
Spring 1928 William A. Ward Robert T. Hughes
Fall 1926 Henry M. Leen Leo P. O’Keefe
Spring 1927 Leo P. O’Keefe James J. McManus
Fall 1925 Joseph F. Donoghue John E. Kenney
Spring 1926 Francis W. Phelan Neal T. Scanlon
Fall 1924 Francis X. Sullivan Francis I. Murphy
Spring 1925 Francis I. Murphy Timothy Lyons
Fall 1923 Javier E. Molina Walter R. Morris
Spring 1924 Richard H. Vahey Walter T. McCracken
Fall 1922 Joseph M. Gavan Victor C. Carr
Spring 1923 Joseph M. Gavan Victor C. Carr
Fall 1921 Charles A. Riordan John J. Murphy
Spring 1922 John J. Murphy James P. Aikens
Fall 1920 Joseph A. Comber Joseph G. Crane
Spring 1921 Gaynor R. Wellings Paul J. Wenners
Fall 1919 Henry E. Foley Charles A. Tucker
Spring 1920 Francis E. Magennis James A. Ryan
Fall 1918 Eugene J. Sullivan William F. Fitzgerald
Spring 1919 Eugene J. Sullivan Joseph D. Pate
Fall 1917 Richard S. McShane Thomas F. McNamara
Spring 1918 Thomas F. McNamara John J. Clifford
Fall 1916 Joseph F. Mulligan Thomas H. Bresnahan
Spring 1917 William F. Pashby John J. Lane
Fall 1915 Warren J. Clear Francis P. Frazier
Spring 1916 John V. Murray Daniel J. Harkins
Fall 1914 John J. Connolly Joseph A. Quigley
Spring 1915 William E. Kerrigan Martin A. Hines
Fall 1913 Jeremiah A. Sullivan Andrew A. Ramisch
Spring 1914 Frederick J. Gillis Joseph A. Quigley
Fall 1912 Edward S. Farmer Frederick W. Wennerberg
Spring 1913 John X. McCabe Jeremiah W. Sullivan
Fall 1911 Robert P. Barry Edward A. Sullivan
Spring 1912 Edward A. Sullivan Edward A. McLaughlin
Fall 1910 J. Vincent Hickey Joseph F. Moloney
Spring 1911 John B. Casey Robert P. Barry
Fall 1909 Henry A. Sullivan Matthew C. Duggan
Spring 1910 U. Raymond Lynch George F. Fitzergald
Fall 1908 John T. McGrory Aloysius R. Finn
Spring 1909 Francis E. Low Henry A. Sullivan
Fall 1907 Stephen Chamberlin Louis F. Kelleher (leader of the minority)
Spring 1908 unknown unknown
Fall 1906 Bernard S. O'Kane Michael J. Houlihan (leader of minority)
Spring 1907 Francis M. Connell Stephen Chamberlain (leader of the minority)
Fall 1905 Edward D. O’Bryan John M. Shea (leader of minority)
Spring 1906 Charles Rose Gerald Shaughnessy (leader of minority)
Fall 1904 unknown unknown
Spring 1905 unknown unknown
Fall 1903 Joseph A. Murphy J. Ignatius Coveney (leader of minority)
Spring 1904 unknown unknown
Fall 1902 Charles T. Daly ‘05 Edward J. Campbell (leader of minority)
Spring 1903 Edward J. Campbell J. Ignatius Coveney (leader of minority)
1956-1958 Dr. John J. McAleer
1953-1956 Rev. Daniel I. Foley, S.J.
1952-1953 Rev. Francis P. Molloy, S.J.
1951-1952 Rev. Paul J. McManus, S.J.
1950-1951 Rev. Leonard J. McCarthy, S.J.
1949-1950 Mr. Joseph M. McCafferty & Mr. Donald P. Murphy
1947-1949 Rev. Thomas F. Fleming, S.J.
1945-1947 Rev. James F. Geary, S.J.
1944-1945 Rev. Paul S. McNulty, S.J. , Rev. J. F. X. Murphy, S.J. & Rev. Ernest Foley, S.J.
1941-1944 Rev. James F. Geary, S.J.
1940-1941 Rev. Raymond F. X. Cahill, S.J.
1939-1940 Rev. Michael J. Harding, S.J.
1938-1939 Rev. Michael J. Harding, S.J.
1937-1938 Rev. Jeremiah J. Donovan, S. J.
1935-1937 Rev. John J. Kelleher, S.J.
1934-1935 Rev. Raymond F.X. Cahill, S.J.
1933-1934 Rev. Raymond J. Fox, S.J.
1931-1933 Rev. William F. Finneran, SJ.
1930-1931 Rev. William J. Kenealy, S.J.
1929-1930 Rev. John W. Chapman, S.J.
1928-1929 Rev. Joseph L. Murray, S.J.
1926-1928 Rev. John C. Proctor, S.J.
1925-1926 Rev. T. Laurence Foran, S.J.
1924-1925 Rev. Martin P. Harney, S.J.
1923-1924 Rev. Stephen A. Koen, S.J.
1922-1923 Rev. Joseph F. Sullivan, S.J.
1921-1922 Rev. Joseph P. Kelly, S.J.
1920-1921 Rev. Leo A. Dore, S.J.
1919-1920 Rev. Joseph K. Counite, S.J.
1918-1919 Rev. Atlee F. X. Devereux, S.J.
1916-1918 Rev. Joseph A. Dougherty, S.J.
1915-1916 Rev. William E. Murphy, S.J.
1911-1915 Rev. William F. McFadden. S.J.
1910-1911 Rev. Ignatius W. Cox, S.J.
1908-1910 Rev. Thomas B. Chetwood, S.J.
1906-1907 Rev. Thomas H. Miley, S.J.
1905-1906 Rev. John A. Morgan, S.J.
1904-1905 Rev. Michael Jessup, S.J.
1903-1904 Rev. William Devlin, S. J.
1902-1903 Rev. Redmond J. Walsh, S.J.