St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-04-14
AN ORATOR|GAL FLOOD.
Intercollegiate Contest at Central Pres
byterian Church Last Evening.
HAMLINE IS DIsTANCED.
Manchester Takes First and the State
University Second and Third
Places.

Seldom, if ever, has the Central Pres
byterian church held within its four
walls such an audience as gathered
there last evening on the occasion OF
the eighth annual contest of the Inter
Collegiate Oratorical association. Stu
dents Of both sexes, of all ages and
sizes, and representing the three chief
educational institutes of Minnesota,
were there in such numbers as
to tax the seating capacity OF the
church, and throughout the contest,
which, with its musical accessories,
lasted upwards of two hours, many
were compelled to remain standing. 1t
was the occasion of the contest by repre-
sentatives of three institutions of Min
neSota, in which the winner represents
the state at the interstate contest
at indianapolis, Ind. Preliminary
contests were held some time
since at Maclaster college and Ham
line and the state university. When
two representatives of each were chosen
to compete in the oratorical contest OF
last evening. The large attendance
might well be taken as a criterion of the
interest taken by the students in the
event and its result, its Importance to
them ranking with the annual COM
mencement exercises of the institutions
represented.
The gathering was presided over by
G. S. Perry, president Of the aSSOcia-
ton, and between the 0ratOrical num-
berS on the programme the State Uni
yerSity Glee club rendered vocal Selec-
tions, which were so thoroughly appre-
ciated that the encoreS demanded and
responded to exceeded the programme
numbers three to one. The judges were
w. ID. Cornish, of st. Paul, and Prof.
thought and composition; and DR..
NJ. MEG. Dana and Hon. G.
w. Bum, of St. Paul. and
Prof. Sven Oftedal, of Minneapolis,
on delivery. The opening Oratlons were
given by VIII p. Lee, of Manchester
and S. F. Kerfoot, Of Hamline, their
subjects being ''Inequality of Equals"
and 1.-The Growth and Status of Civil
Service Reform" respectively. AL
though they were trif1e nervous, they
acquitted themselves creditably, and
their handling Of their respective sub
iectS showed that great care had been
taken in the preparation of the adj
dresses. The glee club gave VerdfS
Song of the Winds" after
which j. E. Err. of the state university,
discussed the theme, democracy the
Spirit of Modern Times" He spoke i'll
a well-modulated voice, and at the con-
clusien of his Grafton was given round
of applause by his supporters that
shook the church ediiice, the orators
who preceded him having been accorded
similar encouragement. b. w. Irwin,
of Manchester, who
CARRIED OFF THE EONORs,
of the evening, was next in line his
subject being, ''The Pope in Politics."
His appearance, delivery and the care
full treatment he gave his delicate sub
ject were all calculated to impress his
audience favorably, and even before
the result was announced it was con-
coded that he was winner. The Glee
club came 70 the front again, and
for their efforts received well
merited and generous applause, e. A.
Montgomery, of Hamlins, following
with an Grafton on ''Gen. U. S. Grant,"
a subject which he treated in manner
that reflects credit upon himself and
Hamline as well. Percy r. Benson, of
the State university. closed the contest
with an Grafton On America for Ameri-
cans" and while the judges were COM
pairing the markings and making up the
list of winners, the Glee club filled in
the time aceeptably with vocal selec-
lions.
President Perry then announced the
result of the contest. 3. w. Irwin. of
Manchester, with Is credits, was given
first place; j. f. Err, of State univerS-
ity, with 49,, was good second, and
p. X. Benson, also of State university,
with 2015 credits, was given third place.
Then the Manchester clacque gave
vent to their enthusiasm. Coats, hats
and canes were thrown nthe air, which
was rent by shouts and cat-calls,
and the victor was hoisted upon the
shoulders of his friends and borne tri-
umphantly out into the veStibule of the
church. Messrs. Err and Benson also
were surrounded by their admirers and
warmly congratulated. Although Ham
line failed to get place its students, be
it to their credit, were among the loud
est in applauding, although the result
was bitter disappointment to them.
After the contest the students par
AIDED the principal streets and aroused
the echoes with their several college
war whOOpS.
The annual convention of the Inter-
Collegiate Oratorical association met
y iiOOll lU u CIOSh at
Hamline university. The delegates
present were Messrs. S. M. KirckWood,
c. Hambieton and c. A. Winter, from
Manchester; MesSrs. e. A. NickerSon,
John Moore and K. G. Babcock,
of the State university, and MesSrs.
G. S. Perry, president, G. E. McCrea,
w. II. Morgan and Il. F. Wright, of
Hamlne. The most important business
transacted was the changing of the con-
Stitution so that the orator receiving
second place in the state contest
goes as delegate to the inter-
state contest and convention, and
the orator receiving third place
is given the $40 heretofore given to the
second orator, The following officers
were elected for the coming year:
President, w. r. Brown, of State uni
versity; vice president, W. p. Lee, of
Manchester college; secretary, S. F. Ker-
foot, of Hamline university; treasurer,
c. A. Winter, of Manchester college.
Tho next state contest will be held in
Minneapolis.
Business men who are worth q
million dollars and have not reg