The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-12-17
THE CONTEST.
THE ASSEMBLY HALL or THE USIVER.
sITY CROWDED LAST MIGHT.
The Lewis Morrison Medals Presented 20
-Iiss Preston and IL. Burlington The
Participants in the Contest Ban
quoted Last Night

1t is a well remembered fact that
when the talented actor, Mr.. Lewis
Morrison, was here couple of months
ago he generously gave two hand
some medals to be given to the best
lady and gentleman speaker of the
State University. He made this hand
some gift through the medium of his
friend, Prof. Lewis Gillespie, who
Immediately took the matter
in hand, and the arrange
ments were at once made by
him for the contest and all applicants
were entered. Out Of some fOrty-siX
who entered for the prize only twelve
of the best were retained for the pub
lie contest which came off last night
in the large assembly hall of the uni
versity. The assemblage that filled
that immense hall to OVERLOOKING was
without doubt the most brilliant and
select audience ever assembled in
Austin. The contest throughout was
freighted with much anxiety to all,
necessarily; the friends Of each had
rallied to the scene, the judges were at
some difficulty to decide, and the &C.
casion was throughout one Of much
interest.
The following distinguished gentle
men composed the list of judges:
DR. r NJ Swearingen, Prof l. r Wal
den, Judge a w Terrell, Hon A P
Woodbridge, Gov S Hogg, Rev r B
Lee, Capt S G Sneed.
The following program as given
below was carried out in detail. The
speakers were each allowed ten min
utes:
PROGRAM.
Mr.. ID. f, Simmons-"Come Wealth
or Want.n
Miss Pearl Cashell-"The Queen of
Song and the Young Musician"
Mr.. Simeon E. Clark tive are
Proud of our Profession"
Miss Helen Brady-"The Song of
DEATH"
Mr.. Il. p. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. from
GAS You Like It,"
Miss Marie Louise Daniel-"The
Royal Roman Archer"
Mr.. r.. B. Hood-"The Old South"
Miss Sophy A. Preston - "The
Brothers. Inspiration
Mr., j. r. KilIian-"The True Gran
deur and Possibilities of a Congress of
Nations
Miss Marguerite Truelove - "The
Closing Year"
Mr.. j. H. kirkpatrick.
Miss Carrie Meriwether-"The Leap
for Life.n
The speakers threw much vigor and
eloquence into their thoughts and the
grand final was one round of well rem
dered speeches, we'll delivered and
Astounding in rare hyperbole. The re-
suit could not be safely known till the
very last one had spoken, and even
then the question was one of much
moment. The judges retired, and
after careful consideration returned
and Governor Hogg announced that
Miss Preston of Galveston and Mr..
Burlington were the two successful
contestants in this interesting contest,
and in pleasing speech presented
the two successful ones with the jew
eled medals which they can proudly
wear through life in commentator of
the glory of the occasion and in re-
membrance of the distinguished actor
who so kindly gave the handsome
gift.
TO Prof. Gillespie is much of last
nights success due. He has worked
with untiring efforts for the success of
the occasion, and last night showed
his marked ability in this line, as a
better delivery was never given by |
any students Of the University. |
The contest medals were the
finished work of Mr.. G. A. Balm,
Austin's popular jeweler.
THE BANQUET.
Upon the conclusion of the contest
the contestants, by invitation Of that
courteous gentleman, Prof. l.. r. Wal
den, repaired to Billeisen's cafe, where
the professo had caused an elegant
banquet to be spread All thoughts
of rivalry, all thoughts Of the contest
were subordinated to the pleasure of
the enervat .ng occasion. The spark
ling wine and enhancing surround
ings all spoke volumes for the cater
ship of that popular caterer, Billeisen.
The Bratton brothers furnished music
for the occasion, which was in every
respect most pleasant success.