Daily camera., 1897-01-06
PRELIMINARY CONTEST,

/
Commencing yesterday afternoon at 2
o'clock, the heavy weight orators of the
university engaged in grand battle for
the honor OF being one of the eight speak
ers at the local contest a week from next
Friday AS the session was somewhat
long, and as the slrlctest mpartiality was
desired, the offices of judgeship was con-
ferred upon professors IN the faculty.
The next contest, being between small
er number, the duties will not be so
arduous and outside aid will be solicited.
The number of contestants is un-
equ lied in the history of the association
and enthusiasm has reached pitch never
before experienced,ls and almost entirely
due to the perseverng efforts of the
newly created English department. with
Prot. Campbell at its head. Prof. Cleaves,
the instructor In elocution, has also done
wonders in keeping up the work to a
high standard.
The contest was fairly attended, and
excited a great deal OF interest. AS it
was merely preliminary, most of the
orations were read from manuscripts,
thus detracting from the delivery consid-
erably, and the judges marked more on
what they considered as capability for
development The thought and compo-
sition was splendid throughout. The
judges said that eight more could very
easily have been selected, whose rank
would have been very nearly equal to
that of the first eight selected. The
speaking was as follows:
The first speaker was Wilson Turman
with the subject "The Despot and the
Hero" This speaker exhibited ease and
freedom in speaking. his voice well un-
der control. The subject was handled
from the economic standpoint.
| c. E. Smedley came second. He was
somewhat uneasy on the stage, standing
awkwardly. The delivery was in a
somewhat monotonous tone of voice. His
subject was biographical, and was en-
titled Benedict Arnold"
John Downea with the subject "Lin-
cola, the American" exhibited consider
able energy and life. He took Lincoln's
public life as the keynote of his oraliun
and dwelt upon his patriotism and love
of justice.
| "The Bulwarks of the Nation" was the
subject of the next Grafton, delivered by
Alfred Strickland. This is the second
time Mr.. Strickland has been in orator
ical contests and SO had considerable
confidence in himself. His voice was
full, but somewhat tremulous.
Miss Margaret Ramsey on "The Mod
ern Woman" next claimed attention.
The development of the subject was
along the lines of the enlargement of
woman's sphere. The oratien was at
t actively presented.
r. w. Bullock presented something
out of the usual line of thought on this
occasion in his paper. "Life's Poetry"
The thought was very good and WAS
worked out along aesthetic lines. De-
livery somewhat ministerial, but in gen
eral his stage appearance was good.
J.P. Jones presented as his topic the
"Pure source of Power" The line of
thought was relative to power of mind.
His delivery and thought was very good.
Eugene Field" was the subject chos-
en- by Martha Robins, the next speaker
in order. The character of the man in
lovableness was well brought out. The
speaker thought that his character would
lend an influence for many years to come.
H. Becker's subject was "The Rich
and the Poor" His voice was strong
and flexible. though his general manner
was awkward.
Mabel Shrum enlarged upon the sub
ject of ideals" The speaker was self
!! possessed and had splendid control of
her -v,,ice. though being one of the
youngest in the contest.
I The eleventh speaker was William B
Ogden. His subject was "A Citizen. the
First Among Equals" and was well
handled. He presents a pleasing APP
[Cendnued on page II