St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-04-16
THE oRAToRICAn TANGLE.
Ex-Gox. McGiu Responsible for a
Bad Mess.

EX-GoX. McGilI Responsible for a
Bad Mess.
Mr.. Hubbell will probably represent
Minnesota at the interstate oratOrical
contest after all. In this now much
talked Of middle, the case stands thus:
The night Of the contest the first place
was given to F. W. Hubbell, of Carleton,
and second and third places to w. A.
Smith and C. S. Pattee, of the state
university. Friday morning eX-GOV Nc
Gill, one of the judges on delivery, sent
word to the Oratorical association that
in his final marks, handed in the night
of the contest he had made a
mistake i'll adding which would
change the rank of several of
the speakers. lie, at the same time,
sent a correct table of his final mark
ingS. When this news was first re-
ceived. it was thought w. A. Smith
would receive first place, but On further
investigation it was learned that the
correction made Z. S. Pattee the win
ner. Mr.. McGill further complicated
matters yesterday by telegraphing to
the executive committee that, though he
had given Wheeler and Smith each IS.
he had a preference for Smith, and he
wished the committee to take this into
consideration. Before this last coup of
MeGill's Paatee ranked II, Smith III,
and Hubbell IS. But if Smith be ranked
above Wheeler. as McGili now says he
intended, Smith and Pat;ee are tied in
rank, and the decision must be reckOned
by percentage, which would place
Smith III the lead.
Yesterday Messrs. Anderson and
II Of In pFnfn md
Miller, of Hamline, went to Nnrthfield
to discuss the situation with Carleton.
The latter are inclined to stand by their
man and hold to the decision as given
the night OF the contest. The settlement
of the question, however, rests with the
executive committee, MeSSrS. Hartley
and larson, Of the state university, and
Messrs. Miller and Wallace, of Hamline.
The two former are i'll favor OF giving
the first place to Pattee, while the TWO
latter refuse 10 pay any attention to MIR.
McGill'S correction. Mr.. Miller at
first stated that he would vote
to give the contest to the state
university, but afterwards changed his
position. The two Hamline students
give no reason for their position. Ap-
parently it is merely opposition to the
state university. A plan was proposed
yesterday at Carleton, which, if in
dOrsed by the various oratOrical aSSocia-
tons. will probably settle the matter.
1t is proposed to arbitrate the question,
the Interstate OratOrical association,
which meets at Columbus, o., May 1, to
be the court OF arbitration. Mr.. HUB
bell will be given his certificate as or
ator, and Mr.. Smith as delegate, the
case will be presented 10 the association.
which meets before the contest, and It's
decision will be accepted as final. The
Carleton students will meet Monday to
consider this proposition, and the uni
versitY students will meet Tuesday at
II O'clock.
Ex-Gov. MeGill's course in this mat
ter is, considered by ~" students, very
strange. The marks which he gave the
ASSOCIATION at first are in every case diff
ferent from those which he sent Friday
as the true marks. 1t seems almost IN
credible that he could have made mis-
take in adding in every instance. His
last statement, that he had prefer
ence for one of two whom he had
marked the same, seems the height of
abSurdity. If he preferred one, why
did he not show his preference IN his
markings? 1t was for that that he was
chosen as a judge. The opinion of most
of those who attended the contest is,
moreover. that Smith deserved much
better than sixth place Oh delivery, the
place given. him by McGill.
One of the upper claSsmen said last
evening:
at Is generally conceded that Pattee
is the victor. Mr.. Larson, Of the eXecu-
tive committee of the state Oratorical
association, went to Hamline to consult
President Miller, and, after going care
fully over the markings of the judges
for second time. found there was no
mistake in the announcement that Pat
tee was entitled TO first place. Mr.. Lar
son said III was as good as settled that
Mr.. Pattee has wOn.' However, Mr..
Pattee wished to withdraw in order to
avoid any dissenSion in the state
association. The university stu
dents almost unanimously be-
lieve that he deserves the honor
of representing Minnesota at the inter-
state contest, and would not listen 10
his withdrawal. He has decided to
stand by the decision of the executive
committee. If the rules of the organi-
ton are observed, as they will be, Mr..
Pattee is, without any doubt whatever,
the one who shall represent Minnesota
at the interstate contest, and Mr.. Hub
bell will go to that contest as dele
gate. Mr.. Pattee would be willing to
let the mistaken announcement 90, and
Mr.. Hubbell represent Minnesota at the
interstate; but, since it IS decided be-
yond doubt that he secured the best
mark, the university people will insist
that he take what duly belongs to him."