'
'P
rn ID FTIQSP 15 R 1 A X
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Truth crushed to oarth will rise
again." Bryan-t.
The attendance at the preliminary de
bates was pretty slim. Lack of time can
hardly be alleged as the reason, for every
foot-ball practice on the campus attracts
a large crowd. The students take time
when they take interest.
Our Debaters.
BAKHIt. OKEEX, HAKR, PIPEH. MARUIHB,
KILLEX, DEXXrSOX AXD MEIER.
The preliminary debates were con
cluded Saturday night. Of the thirty
live who had registered only twenty
finally toed the scratch. Little interest
in the result was shown outside of de
bating circles. Foot-ball and the surplus
of oratory in the late campaign probably
account for the exceedingly slim atten
dance. But there was no lack of interest
among the contestants. In spite of the
difficulty of speaking to vacant seats, the
debates were better this year than last.
Aroiea raised to the declamatory pitch
awakened the echoes in the empty hall
but this did not dampen the. fervor of
the speakers.
It was generally conceded that Baker
and Burr would be among the winners.
Most of the others were new men and
unknown quantities. The result showed
some surprises but the decision as a whole
is regarded as fortunate and was very
gracefully accepted by the defeated
contestants.
The first night, barber, Dennison,
(rraharn, Barr and Perry spoke in the
order named on the compulsory arbitra
tion question. This division as a whole
proved to be somewhat stronger than the
others. The speakers went straight at
the question and did not fall into the
error, winch marked so many of the ar
guments, of wasting time in elaborate
theoretical introductions. Mr. (rarberin
opening tried to make the question a
purely theoretical one but the negative
turned the discussion to the practical
side. Graham made a strong rebuttal
but time was called before he had gone
far with his own argument. Perry made
a strong and logical argument but suffer
ed from rather imperfect delivery.
The second section had dwindled down
to three contestants Ditmar. Hawxby
and Ivillen. They discussed the suffrage
question. Ditmar made the mistake of
trying to cover the whole field of political
philosophy in fifteen minutes. Mis man
ner is pleasing but his delivery was un
impressive because he was too closely
chained to his notes. Htiwxby used
notes liberally but this did not detract
from the force of his delivery. lie is a
fluent and rapid speaker' and a good
thinker but was hardly at his bet in this
contest. Killen has a good voice, a fine
presence, his delivery is calm and forcible
and he is a dangerous man generally.
Xo one will be surprised if he is success
ful in the final contest.
The third division consisting of Ma
guire, Piper. Burleigh, Mager and (rraen
occupied the remainder of the evening.
They discussed the government owner
ship of railroads. This division went
back to first principles and based their
arguments on the eternal fitness of
things. Three of them were successful.
The last division consisting of Aver,
Kindler, Tobey, Burt, Meier, Baker and
Shnff diseu.sse 1 the policy of territorial
extension. Mr Tobey is said to have
used manuscript. Burt proved to b
quite a humorist. Kindler has the spirit
necessary for a good debater and his
points were wll chosen. His enuncia
tion was rather imperfect. Meier aii'l
Baker both did thomselves full justice
Baker undoubtedly made the best speech
of the s Ties and will almost certainly go
to Kansas.
