The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-06-05
O~RAT0RICAL CONTEST.
Seven Nofmalites Meet In the forensic
Arena 70 Contest for the CLARA g.
Maokay Prizes.

The students of the State Normal
school who measured rhetorical attain
ments IN the opera house last evening
we're greeted with q fine audience. Prof.
Got, who introduced the speakers, and
w. A. Mackay, Esq, donor Of the prizes,
occupied the platform. Miss Hattie
Billings and Mrs. j.. /. Hubbell introduC-
ed the exercises with . finely rendered
duet.
Tho first contestant, Willis jerks, had
as his theme Individuality" which Tor
an abstract subject OF such depth and 30
young a mind, he elaborated in very
good thought. His diction was very
good, but 10 delivery, though self-com.
posed, his light voice failed him very
materially. Eliza q. Johnson's discourse
treated OF "The Influence OF Natural
Scenery aud though lacking in origin
atty was finely constructed and deliver
ed in an easy, distinct and agreeable
manner. sFacts are Stubborn Things,n
was handled by Geo. w. Kephart, in an
original way which showed creditable
personal study OF an every day subject
and more than made amends for hie de-
fciencies in either diction Or delivery.
His voice was clear and iucisive in tone
but occasionally broken in n~tterance.
A bass solo, OF deep richness, by DR..
Johnson WAS here introduced, airs. I. r..
N~annestadt playing the accompaniment.
The speakers res umed with John
Lindsay whose subject was "A Purpose
il Life" His style OF treatment was
weak, running more to illustrations than
to ar ument, though fairly well put te-
gethef; his eoics light and modulalions
meager. Our Heritage d review OF
our national history, by Eta Morse was
one of the finest pieces OF the evening
While the subject matter in itself was
not original, The ingenuity andinvention
In handling it was unique and the phras-
eology elegant. IL was a beautiful piece
OF word %picturing. Miss Morse's stage
fright" made her voice harsh and uncer-
tain at first but . she gained COM
posture, it grew steady and rich, though
0 strong, and she held the audience in
her earnestness better than any speaker
OF the evening. l.. l.. Murphy took "a
bis theme Prospective which proved
10 be q vigorous criticism OF the Al. P. A.
Organization. Mr. Murphy's style is
soneahlt harsh ard lorcibte, though he
deserves credit for handling his subject
In . way decidedly his " and without
minelng matters. 1.-The 2essimist,' by
Miss Jane Quigg had the superior merit
OF being a popular subject, handled In q
mcst beaut fully suggestive way eyiienc
ing much originality In the treatment
and giving q subject which burdens the
popular mind Il dignltied d critical
analysis. 1t was an eloquent defense Of
character and American
capacity for self government, couched in
graceful composition and delivered in
full and we'll modulated tones. In the
minds OF the audience Miss Quigg and
Miss Morse were close contestants for
honors.
The judges we're Rev. j.. p. jenkins,
Geo. r. Farmer, Esq, and Mrs. @. w.
Wood.
While the audience awaited their ver-
dict, Miss Blanche Met allister enter
Eained IL with instrumental music, and
awards were then announced: Miss
Johnson, first; Miss Morse, second and
Miss Quigg. third. The prize money is
s25, divided INTO 81, ss and S5 for first,
second and third prizes, respectively.
In presenting the prizes, Mi. Mackay
4 d himself proud in making a speech
replete with suggestive md encouraging
thoughts 10 all the contestants and
brought TO u happy conclusion the edlfy-
lDg work OF the evening.