Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-02-20
HIGH SCHOOL SOCIETIES.
Last Nights Literary Contest at
the Assembly Hall.
An Intellectual Entertainment That
the Public Appreciated-WhO
Participated andE the
Programme.


interest and loyalty to our public
schools by their after dance at the second
annual oratorical contest last evening.
Although Damei Nature had done much to
make the weather unpleasant, the High
school assembly hall was filled to over
flowing with representative people of our
city.
The decorating committee had certainly
succeeded in making the hall attractive
The court scenes which grace the south
end of the hall were fringed with fes,
toons of bunting so arranged as to form
gothic arch in the middle, the kew.
stone Of the arch being represented by
the base ball banner won by the young
men in the last field day exercises. On
the right of the rostrum were seated the
singers and contestants, Just over whom
was placed a statue Of victory, 8 dona-
ton from the class of 81. As this statue
represents an angel holding wreath, the
whole seemed suggestive of crowning the
victors onsthis memorable occasion. The
left of the rOstrun was given up to the
piano and orchestra.
The orchestra struck the first note at
exactly s o'clock, the hour for commenc-
ing, all other members following prompt.
ly in their order.
The first contest was between Miss
Kate Normoye and Miss Blsnce Cleland,
the former declaiming" Where's Annettas"
the latter Mice at Play" While Miss
Cleland carried the honors with grade
! of 90 for the Bellies Lettres, Miss Nor
moyle merited all the confidence the Mi
nerva society had placed in her by Sc
curing grade of 81. The two selec-
tiocs were of So different q character and
each so perfectly rendered that few in
the audience could even guess the JUDGES
decisions.
The musical contest was between two
trios, Misses Blanche Warren, Carrie
Bailey and Lille Simmons representing
Bellies Lettres, and Misses Louise Wits.
Ter, Lillian Fitzpatrick and Pauline Volt
mann Minerva. Zach of the trios seemed
atfirst somewhat embarrassed, which mo,
or less.affected the intonation, but the
Minetvas rallied after a short time and
carried OF the honors, IS to 49, Both
trios sang The Warrior" by Macfarren,
which provo TO he q COED selection for
such an occ aston.
The journals were represented By
Alice Bessie Lee of Bellies Lettres, ard
Harry V. Cook, OF Minerva. Both jour
mails were interesting and carefully pre-
pared. So far as the quality was con-
earned there was little difference, but
Miss Lees delivery was superior and won
mark of 81 to sc
Part two was opened by q selection
Victor, .andante and waltz, by the or
chestra. Then followed two orations.
The Safety of Our Republic" by Addi-
son Gest,E Bellies Lettres; and American
Outlooks,' by Clarence Spaulding
Minerva. g The end ,ring of these erations
would have been ere 1itable to many coll
lege. students. The first was beautifully
written and thoughtful article. MIR.
Spsuldiug had given less attention to
rhetoric. but exceled in delivery and won
by 80 to 50.
The honOrs in debate were contested
for ty Marcus Lyon. Minerva; and Everett
Sears. Bellies Lettres. The question. Res
solved, That Chinese immigration Should
be Prohibited" was discussed IL such
manner as to suggest that Greek had
met Creek" Each of the contestants
proved his ability to handle difficult
subject in a mastery wsy, although
negative side 80 to IS.
The essay lists were Anne Montgomery,
of Minerva, ard Mamie Holland, of
Bales Lettres. Miss, Montgomery had writ
ten on Hope and Memory" and showed
wherein each has proven blessing to
man. The paper gave evidence of care
full preparation and was credit 10 its
author Miss Hollands subject was
stepping Stones" in the treatment of
which she illustrated the steps from in
fancy to life of virtue and goodness as
we'll as the downward course which too
many unfortunately choose. The essays
were graded 80 to 81, in favor of Miss
Holland.
The judges were DR.. E F. Bsrtholo-
new, Augustana college; Lieut.. ]. B.
Hamilton. principal German-English
school, Rock Island. and Prof B. C.
Caldwell, principal Moline High school.
The music of he programme is also
worthy of attention. The orchestra con
sists of five young Indies and nine gentlee