The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1898-03-18
duet in place OF the ladies quartet,
which was unable to appear on account
of the sickness OF one of its members.

which was unable to appear on account
of the sickness OF one OF its members.
Miss Mana Cooks oration was based
on The Coming Religion" in which
the fair young orator made some tell
ing points in behalf of her subject.
Every mau, she said, had q social and
intellectual nature, and, likewise, re.
ligious nature, which should be reached
by the simpler teachings of Christ,
whose theology was no barrier and
whose creed prevented none from &C.
cepting it. Miss Cooks Grafton was
we'll arranged and she delivered it
nicely.
Mr.. Ed. S. Whitaker, who two years
ago was the winner of the local contest
and took second place in the state con.
test, was again candidate for orator.
ical honors and made noble hight for
representation. Mr.. Whitaker took
for his subject, "Avarice, the Ruin of
Society,"" which gave him a wide
avenue for thought and broad ideas.
Going back to, an ancient period when
avarice was dominant among the peo-
pie he traced the procession down to
the present, drawing lessons meanwhile
to the l,n. which was eventually
reach. by the avaricious. Grasping
.,a.ures we're as much in evidence now
as ever, shown in the activity of the
people who first rushed off 10 Califor-
mia, thence to Mexico, to Colorado, to
the Black Hills and lastly, with no
seeming abatement OF the fever, to the
Klondike--all forgold. Mr.. Whitaker
pictured the avaricious side of human
nature plainly, vividly and made a
strong protest against the manner in
which the American people prostrated
themselves before the greed for wealth.
True life was the broad, happy founda-
tion on which to rear the structure and
before it the avarice of people would
wither. MIR. Whittaker's method of
delivery is pleasant; he has an easy,
graceful action on the platform and
handles himself to nicely. Following
the last oration Mr.. Nat. Bennett
rendered a trombone solo with Carl
Hover at the piano. Mr.. Bennett in
troduced something of a novelty by
playing the selection in an adjoining
room and the soft tones of the horn
were waited through the open doors.
Nothing would still the audience until
he repeated the number in the same
manner.
Then the anxiety increased as to the
decision of the judges. The manuscripts
had been forwarded to Rev. Howard h.
Russell, D. D., Id. D., Columbus, Ohio,
Rev. Samuel G. Smith, D. D., ST. Paul,
Minn., Prof. Selden L. Whitcomb, A..
NJ, Grinnell, Iowa, who made their
markings on thought and style, each
giving Mr.. Cotton 100. The judges on
delivery were F. A. Bidwell of this
city and Prof. A. H. Avery and N. B.
Reed of Woonsocket. The decision
gave Mr.. Cotton first place, Mr.. Potter
second, Mr. Whitaker third, Miss
Cook, fourth and Mr.. White fifth.
Each of the contestante, with the ex.
ception of Mics Cook, were carried
around on shoulders of the students,
and Miss Cook was placed in an easy
chair and was acco, ded the sane honor
Mr.. Cotton, the winner of the present
contest represented the University al
the contest in 1895 and won second
place, and there is great confidence
among the students that he will carry
the U University to victory again in 1898
He has everything in his favor, as hi
Grafton received AN exceptionally higf
marking at the hands of the judges anc
his delivery is considered to be super
ior to anything our University has me
in former years. Here's good luck t,
Mr.. Cotton, and may he come in May
proud victor.