The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-21

was crowded last night 10 its utmost
eapaci'y with people drawn from every
Walk OF NE 70 witness the first celebra-
uoh OF the Philomathean Literary Soci-
ely. Inc exercises began al < o'clock
ana the rostrum was occupied bv the
ofilcers OF the society and members who
were contestants for the various honors
He eNeItises We're opened with prayer
py Rey. Wilbur +. Davis. OF the Metho.
dist church. after which the nreside,,
lsot the society Mr.. y. NJ Branch os
Isle OF Wight county delivered n chaste
ana beautiful address OF welcome in
which he took occasion to pay a glowing
tribute to the kindness aud hospitalitv
OF our people, and closed by announcing
that the nrst on the programme was the
contest Tor the essayist medal which
would be contested for by Mr.. A II
woodward, OF Giles county. and by Mr.
o. u. Chitwood. OF Franklin. and then
introduced the former, who chose as the
subject of his essay The Literature Of
the South Then came Mr.. Chitwood.
who selected as his theme "Why We
Sorrow"
A debate then followed. which was mar
ticipated i'm by Mr r. w. Hendricks. Of
Campbell county Ind Mr. J. Il. J.. Johnson.
Of Nansemond. The question for discus-
sion was, Resolved. That the General
Government Should Establish a National
University Mr. Hendricks taking the
affirmative and Mr.. Johnson the negative
side Of this question.
The debate was followed by two ora
tions-the first by Mr.. William Haskins
entitled "Our Country's Call and Her
Future Prosperity" and the other by
Mr.. Hurt Jordan. entitled THE Duty OF
the Age"
The last numbers upon the programme
were two decamations-the first "The
Polish Boy" by Mr.. ]. W. Wright, OF
Washington city. and the last by Mr..
Arthur j. Rutter, OF Portsmouth.
The committee of award on the ESSAYS
consisted OF Professor William G.. Jones.
Of Richmond. Mr.. G. y. Armistead and
MIR John S. Charles. Of this city. The
committee consulted long and earnestly
over the merits Of the essay and finally
reported. through Mr. Armistead. that
they We're unable 10 decide the question
then. and asked more time. and further
that the essays be submitted to them
for their inspection, which was done
The committee on debate. consisting OF
Mr.. d. B. Peachy Captain Trevillian
and Mr. Armistead reported In favor Of
the affirmative, and the debators medal
was gracefully delivered TO Mr.. Hen
The committee on the oratorlcal con-
test reported i'm favor Of Mr.. Jordan. and
Senator Stubbs IN a neat speech delivered
the medal 20 that gentleman.
The committee on declaimor's medal.
Of Rev. w. i. Davis. Or. Mon
cure and Mr. G. =. Armistead reported
I'm favor of Mr.. Wright, and the medal
was delivered 20 him by Mr.. Davis IN
an appropriate speech.
The board was I'M session to-day. end
tonight the celebration Of the Phoenix
Literary Society took place. This con-
cuded the exercises Of the evening.
General Marcus j. Wright and wife.
of Washington.( are I'm the city. and
were interested spectators at the college
Exercises last night.
From If TO 1 o'clock last night Mr.. and
Mrs. Tyler gave a beautiful reception
In the presidents house on the college
campus. 10 which several hundred invi-
.ations had been sent out, and through
out the evening there was "A steady How
of guests arriving and departing. lee
freshments We're served I'm the dining
room, and the tables were tastefully and
appropriately decorated with the college
colors. Mrs Tyler was assisted in ie-
reivlng by Misses Mary Garrett Estelle
Cora and Edith Smith. Miss Sewell from
Gloucester Miss Harrison and Miss Mer-
rell from Richmond.