12
THE HESPERIAN
U. B. D. C. vs. COTNER.
STUDENTS' MASS MEETING.
The next time the U. B. D. 0. holds a
debate with Cottier or any other power on
earth it will have to hire the Lansing in
order to hold all the people. The chapel
was almost inadequate last Saturday night,
all of Cotner was there and a good share of
the "Uni. and some town-people. It was the
general opinion that both sides did much
better than in the first debate, and still there
is room for improvement. Mr. Abbott of
the U. B. D. 0. opened the debate for the
affirmative and Mr. Finch of Cotner was the
first speaker on the negative. Searson,
Johnson, Newbranch and Bishop all made
strong speeches. The Cotnerites seemed
to think they had the best of the battle ; the
Union boys rather believed they did. So
both of them wore happy. Altogether it
appears that the joint debate is moro in
teresting, more useful, and in every way an
improvement on the oratorical contest. Al
though nearly all the speakers on both sides
adopted the soaring, oratorical stylo to a
great oxtont, the contest was not an oratori
cal contest thank Heaven! In fierceness
the debate almost equalled a dog-fight.
Most of the speakers have yet to learn that
in order to be convincing it isn't necessary
to strain one's voice to its utmost, gesticu
late without intermission and rave around
generally. Criticism was also made on the
great amount of personality indulged in.
This was unnecessary. These criticisms
apply to both sides alike. The Hesperian
wants to see Nebraska in possession of
some fine dobators next year, and it only
desires to point out faults noticed by every
one, which should bo remedied. The motto
of all true debate is: "Cultivate reserve
force." Anyhow, come again, Cotner, and
if wo ourselves cannot welcome you warmly
enough we'll have our Chancellor there to
do it for us again.
Noah was the first pitcher; ho pitched the
ark within and without. The game was
called on account of rain. Ex.
If some of those alumni who are always
relating to us what warm times they used to
have in the early clays, had ventured into
the chapel last Monday afternoon, they
might have concluded that wo are not so
very far behind them after all. It is doubt
ful if so largo a crowd composed ontirely of
students has over before congregated in the
chapel except at chapel hour occasionally.
And the interest in the discussion from
beginning to end was so intense, that only a
few students loft the chapel till the meeting
adjourned.
The meeting was called to order promptly
at two o'clock by Mr. Babcock. T. F. A.
Williams, now of the law school, was
elected chairman. In a fow very just and
forcible remarks ho counseled the students
to consider the matter that was to come be
fore them with all deliberation and earnest
ness. Resolutions were then introduced
censuring the action of Adam McMullon in
attempting to purch aso orations for use in
the contest and asking that (on account of
such action, and the suspicion arising from
it) he be not allowed to represent the state
in the interstate contest. The question
during the whole afternoon was on the
adoption of the resolutions. A strong fight
was made by Mr. McMullen's friends. J.
H. Johnston and E. C. Strode made perhaps
the most able speeches in his favor, Mr.
Weaver and W. M. Johnston also speaking
at some length. Their principle argument
was that the student body had no right to
decide in the matter -as it did wot possess all
the proofs of the case. The resolutions
were strongly supported by A. F. Mont
morency, Ned 0. Abbott, Messrs. Oury,
Wolfe, Oramb, Miller and others. .Some
slight attempts were made to modify them,
but all amendments wore finally laid on the
table and the resolutions passed by a vote
of 349 to 150. Some who wore present
did not vote, but the vote may be con
sidered as representing the sentiment of the
student body. The resolutions wore laid be
fore the faculty and a copy was also sent to
the convention at Indianapolis.