The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1898-04-21
A HIGH SCHOOL DEBATE
LEAGUE


The coming debates against Green Bay
and Appleton are refreshing indIcs-
ton of healthy intellectual activity in
our high schools. Inter high school de-
batting is simply one of the numerous
outcroppings OF the vigorous spirit of
| modern educational developments. TherA
are few OF the more important high
| schools OF the state which have not ar
ranged debates against some nelghborlDg
city and it is significant that the move
ment is extending to the country
schools. OF all the tests to which pu-
phi is put, IN class or out, none tend to
draw forth his resources or temper them
to practical uses in the degree that de
batting does. Education everywhere not
merely tolerates but actively encourages
Intellectual contests of this kind And
| the amount of interest displayed 10 the
debate with Sheboygan high school last
year by the townspeople generally is ia
oicatlon OF the local attitude.
Since that debate 1t has frequently
been suggested that the three local high
schools form themselves into joint de-
bate leagDe. The subject was discussed
IN these columns some months ago. The
essential feature of the system is an an
nual debate between Two CT the three
high schools. The victor of one year is to
debate third high school the next year.
The loser to drop ont for one year. Such
a plan, would OF course be perfectly an-
tomato, the participants for each parti
cular year having been determinedb by the
previous contests. For instance, If ln
debate between the Northside and First
ward high schools, the former proved vic
torlous, the next contest would be be-
tween the Northside and Third ward high
schools and 80 Oh, sd libitum. Another
feature OF such system would be pro-
vision for jury OF dlslnterested judges
non-residents OF the city if necessary. A
provision for the preparation Of the ques
| ton, choice of sides and place of con-
test would complete the System"
In fact the machinery of such a system,
| embodied in some sort of written com
| pact or constitution, would be quite
simple. Being permanent league, there
would be no need for negotiation" and
"preliminary arrangements" Each OF
the high schools would know exactly
when it was expected to elect its team of
three debaters, when the two teams were
to meet and flip up" to decide which was
to submit the question and which to Sc
| lect sides.
Pains have been taken to obtain the
opinion of the local school authorities on
the subject and then cordial disposition
to give the system thorough test.
| There seems to be much to commend IN
an arrangement of this sort Certainly
everything that can be urged in favor of
| such debates as those with Green Bay
and Appleton can be urged in behalf of
debates between the local high schools
1t was feared, for instan &c, that such de-
bates might develop a rivalry harmful to
the pupil. 1t is pretty severe test for a
high school lad to face an unfriendly au-
dience in a distant city and preserve even
ess OF temper In the teeth of partisan APP
| plause, No one would disapprove of
outside debaters on that account, but a
preliminary and somewhat miIder ordeal
such as debate against the high school
IN the next ward affords, would double
the chances of success.
While debate leagues between univer-
stiles, normal schools, academies and high
schools Of neighboring cities are common,
1t Is doubtful whether there is anywhere
| srch an inter high school debate league
as is suggested for Manitowoc. The ca
sou is obvious. 1t is to be questioned
| whether the peculiar school system of
Manitowoc is duplicated in a dozen cities
of Its size IN the entire United States.
| Up to the erection of the West Side high
school of Milwaukee, Manltowoc was the
only city in the state with three separate
and independent high schools. 1t would
seem eminently practical to take advan.
tage OF the situation created by our school
| system.
TIE school year IS perhaps too far adj
vanced to permit of a debate before COM
mencement, but it would be we'll to take
advantage of the present intense interest
IN debating to lay the foundation for
such system which could be put into
operation with the opening of school next
| fall.