The San Francisco call., 1896-07-27
includes the parishes of st. James, St.

includes the parishes of st. James, st.
Peters and st. Pauls churches.
The principal feature was the first con-
test of the second series of essays on
"What Drunkenness Costs" by competi-
tors from the three parishes. The prize
for the most meritorious production and
best delivery was a silver medal. The
winner will be one of the four district
contestants in the final battle at the Me-
chanics Pavilion year from August 9.
Arthur B. Curtis of st. Peters Parish,
sergeant of Company I, League of the
Cross Cadets, captured the medal in q
splendid effort of eloquence and rhetorical
brillaucy. The parish of st. James did
not enter the contest, thus leaving the
chosen orators of st. Peters and st. Paul's
to strive for the medal.
The platform was occupied by Chairman
Charles B. Fem, Rev. P. o. Ryan, Rev.
James Mcdonald, Sergeant A. E. Curtis,
Company /; Lieutenant Charles Skelley,
Company /; Captain Peter J. Haggerty,
Thomas II. Murlow, Joseph II. Donald
son, Charles Willie, Captain James H.
Reilly, Company K; Lieutenant James
0'Neil, Company K, and Captain D. Nc
Carthy, Company E.
| The rally was opened by hymn and a
| prayer offered by Father Organ, spiritual
director of the league. after which was
rendered an instrumental duet by Miss
Pauha and Mrs. Fem.
| Lots were then drawn by the two con-
] testants for the first reading, which fell to
Sergeant Curtis. He spoke in substance
as follows:
THAT the intemperate use ofintoxicating
| liquors is an evil of immense and incalcu
liable magnitude at the present day there
are few who will deny; nor will it be
questioned by any who have had partioi-
patton in criminal proceedings that it is
one of the most fruitful sources of crime. u
| He said that the amount of money spent
for liquor all over the world was enormous,
and he quoted statistics to show that
England expended annually over 4125-
000,000 for alcohol, while America expend-
ed 81, 474. 900 900 annually.
"Aside. however, from the immense
monetary loss," he continued, "and the
inevitable misery due to indulgence in
liquor its evil effects on man may be taken
in three ways: First, on the moral man /;
second, on the physical, and third, on the
spiritual nature.
Liquor destroys the Image OF God in
man and lowers him to the level OF the
brutes. No other evil has caused such
sorrow and misery. Broken homes, blast
ed hopes and wasted lives result from it.
Intellect is ruined and principle is sacri-
feed to it."
The successful young orator was warmly
applauded when he sat down.
A musical solo by Miss Annie Doyle fol-
lowed, after which was recitation by
Sergeant McCrystaI.
Then followed the second essay by
Joseph d. Donaldson of st. Paups Parish.
He spoke well and received frequent ap-
piause.
"0ur subject" said he, "is one that COM
| pletely de6es the power OF sloquence to
| describe. The immense sum OF money
annually expended in America for drink
is drained largely from the hard worked
laboring classes.
"Go to the weeping mother and the
heart-broxen sister and ask them what
sorrow drunkenness causes. Let us not for
get that the corruption of Rome, Persia
and Carthage was caused by intemper-
ance."
The glee club of Company A then sang
Just Before the Battle, Mother in q
manner that won them much applause
Their singing was followed by the address
ofthe afternoon by Rev. James Mcdonald
! of st. Peters, who said that people from