The University daily. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 18??-????, 1890-06-11
!. CONTEST ]
Unanimous for the ColuInbians.
$IOO. to SO.
The Twenty First Inter- Society Con-
test atthe University Last evening
Resume of the Performances.

AT 7:30 p. M, the people began IL
assemble at the Commencement Hall
to witness what has always proved
the most exciting feature Of com
meEcement exercises to visitors and
friends of the University. AT 8:15
thescrowd was still pressing toward
the scene of attraction and not till
/ 8:25 was the house called to order by
the President After a few brief re
marks. explaining the cause Of the
vacancies on the program. the first
performer, Mr.. J. B. Clark, of New
Martinsyille, who represented the
Parthenon society, was introduced.
4 MI. Clark detained '''The Roman
Soldier" His voice was full, clear
and rather distinct, his articulation.
His action was good save a little alb
ruptness in some of his strongest
gestures. Familiar with his Sc
lection, possessing a fair conception
of the spirit it contained, and com
posed in his appearance, Mr.. Clark
rendered his piece in a very
pleasing and impressive manner.
| Mr.. i. M. Jaco, representing the
| Columbian Society was next intro
duced. Mr.. Jaco declaimed 8 selee-
ton entitled Yellowstone Park"
| If any difference, this gentleman was
more familiar with his selection than
his opponent, but the spirit of it was
not SO difficult to represent. Mr..
jazz stood erect, his gestures were
| easy, his voice was clear, though a lit
tie sharp, and his appearance on the
stage easy. Both, gentlemen acquitg
ted themselves nicely, and proved
that no mean talent had been select
ed to represent Cheir respective soci
cites this popular occasion: =.
After a selection of music, Mr. c.
C. CoffNuan was introduced as the
first essayist. Mr.. Coffman's subject
"UnderS The, Shadow of the Sphinx''|
was treated in avery pleasing style.
the central thought being "The So.
luton of 'The Negro Question. His
voice was not in hest condition, but
sufficiently clear to bring out the
train of thoughts his production CON
tsined, which were logically ar
ranged, and clothed in pure, simple
English. The production was a
creaitabfe one and the performer did
his work we'll His opponent having
been defeated in his efforts to pre-
pare his essay by sickness, Mr.. Cof-
mans essay was the only one on the
program. -. .-r -..
After music, Mr.. Hough Houston,
representative of the Columbian So
ciety was introduced, who delivered
a carefully written grafton ON Gan
Opportunity for a Modern Gracious"
This production showed deep thought
practically and logically presented.
Mr. Huston voice was full andclea
his appearance on the stage com
manding, his gesture easy and grace.
full and his effort on the whole a
most excellent one. :
Mr.. F. w. Clark followed Mr..
Houston with an grafton, subject,
"No North, no South. o. Mr.. Clark's
voice was not in first class condition,
not so clear and strong, as usual, but
the spirit Of his production was
such as is calculated to supplement
an embarrassment of this kind. His
Grafton was fine production, we'll
delivered, and the speaker acquit
ted himself honorably.
The Orations were followed by very
excellent selection of music, during
the rendition Of which, the
audience rested themselves by stand
ing and conversing. =
.r.t DEBATE. .~ r..
Subject: sResolved, That the
Federal government should put the
coinage Of the silver dollar, lat a
standard equal to the relative values
of gold and silver on the same foot
as that of the gold dollar" f..
| The negative of this question was
not represented, the debater having
been unable to prepare his argument
Mr.. NJ. D. Post ehampioned the
affirmative. This gentleman has
good voice, an earnest delivery, but
wore deep frown throughout his
speech, which detracted from his APP
appearance somewhat. -
His arguments were founded upon
observation and experiment, as OPP.
posed to theories based upon the
principles of political economy, and
his affirmations positively enuncia-
ted they were CLEANED from wide
field, and showed a careful study of
the question. The speech was well
prepared, we'll delivered, and reflect
ed much credit upon the young gen
tleman elected to- fill this onerous
position. At the conclusion the
judges retired to make up their de-
cisions on the two contested classes,
defamation and grafton, leaving the
contestants in that painful suspense.
SO characteristic of the situation
This was relieved by the orchestra
which rendered most cheerful Sc
lection. The judges retired at 10: 30,
returning at 10;45. The decision
was delivered by Mr.. Manager, Esq,
of Point Pleasant. His speech was
an eloquent one, containing some
nicely wordedtrut
The prizes were awarded to the
Columbian representatives. The
vote on Defamation standing 2 to /
in favor of Mr.. Jaco.