The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1876-02-18
NORMAL NOTES.
Grand Contest Between the Lyeeum and
Summer Societies.


AS was announced, the contest meeting
between the Lyceum and Sumner socie
ties took place in Normal Hall, on Fri
day evening last, the house being called
to order promptly at O'Clock, by Prof
Pomeroy, the chosen charm an for the
evening. The exercises were opened by
q chorus from the choir, consisting Of
members from each society. After which
followed an essay by Mr.. r. White, Of
the Lyceun. Subject: ''The religion,
and moral character of the teacher
We are sorry we cannot meetthe- sug-
gestion, and comply with the request OF
our worthy principal, to state that the
audience was on hand and in their seats
promptly at 7 O'Clock sharp; but on the
contrary much disturbance ensued while
Mr.. White was reading, by parties COM
ing into the room, making it difficult for
him to be heard in all parts of the room
Mr.. Whites essay was very good and
highly praised by all who could hear
him.
Miss r. Davis, Of the Sumner. follow
ed with an essay on Changes" which
was much admired by the audience, as
the applause which followed testified.
Indeed some boys in the rear of the room
felt very jubilant, demonstrating the
same by some loud stamping. Prof
Pomerey arose and said he was aware
that they were not all Normal students
there tonight, as that kind Of demonstra-
tion Of their appreciation was foreign to
Normal students, and would not be toler-
ated.
The next on the programme was mu.
sic, q solo, by Miss Julia Sebastian,
which was rendered In her usual good
style and well received by the audience.
The debate on the Observation-Disclosures
ed, THAT the position of the Roman
Catholics il their relation to our free in
situations Is compatible with the princi.
pies Of our Government" was opened on
the affirmative by Mr.. W. a. Mcmahon,
Of the Lyceum, in q very able manner,
coEfining himself strictly to the question
and forming his argument in q logical
style, and strictly to the point. Mr.. Jos
Hill, on the negative, for the Sumner, fol-
lowed, and on this occasion put forth his
strongest powers of orstory, though ar.
guing the question from 9 different stand.
point. Mr.. McMahon, Of the affirmative,
proposed to confine the term Stree insti.
tutions'' to Stree schools" Mr.. Hill tc
use the term, unlimited, and consequent.
~ took the ground, and argued in = very
forcible manner that the position Of the
Roman Catholics" was not compati Ole
with the principles OF our government.
Miss Jnlia White was the next speaker
on the Affirmative for the Lyceum. She
spoke in . very clear voice and present ed
some very good arguments in favor of heI
side Of the question. She took the same
ground a. her colleague in regard to the
use Of the term ''free Institutions Miss
Davis, of the Sumner, for the negative,
came next with q well prepared argu-
ment, after which Mcmahon. OF the aGar-
native, closed the debate by briefly no
ticing some Of the argument of his OPP
ponentS. 1t was very unfortunate and
much to be regretted that the speakers
did not view the subject in the same
light.
The audience was given an intermis-
sion Of I've minutes to stake breath, 81
which all enjoyed.
The house being again called to order,
an anthem "Father, o, Hear U.s." wal
sung by the ch0ir, which they did with
credit to themselves and bringing forth q
generous shower ofapplause from the au.
dience.
Pres. Pomeroy now stated that a. II
was growing late and some Of the listen.
era restless, that he would recommend
adjournment, and would give an oppor-
tunity in the future for the hearing Of he
orations. A debate on this arising it yzas
left to the vote OF the societies. The vote
was taken and decided that the Grafton.
should be heard. The chairman announe.
ed that before they heard the orationl
opportunity would be given those who
thought It necessary to retire to do 50. A
great many did 30, but il still LEFT large
audience.
Mr.. Way, Of the Lyeeum, was now
called on for his oration-"Our Mission -
OF Mr.. Ways abilities a. 4 speaker, few
connected with the Normal are Ign oran,
and on this occasion he came fully pepsr
ed with thorough and elaborate discus.
sion Of his subject, presenting IL with hi
usual good delivery. He was followed
BY Mr. Stubs. Of the Sumner, with 5 very
hne Grafton on the subject 'sWar,' deal