The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1899-06-21
FIRST BLOOD.
Columbians Take the Inter
society Debate.


Large Crowd out and Great Interest
Excellent Performances -The Names
OF the Judges Grading Given Eth
err Side-fine Musical Program Rem
dered-6eod Order Presersed-The
Details.
The first annual joint debate was
held on Friday night between the
Columbian and Parthenon Literary
Societies Of the University. The re
silt OF the contest was Waterloo
for the Parthenons as the decision
of the judges was unanimous for the
Columbians. This is the first Of the
eentest which has been divided into
two parts; the debate having sepa-
rate night from the rest.
The contest took place in Com
mencement Hall and the building
was fairly well filled. There was not
as large a crowd out as there had
been to the Moot trial of the night
before but the interest eyineed was
very great and the order was much
better than it had been at the form
er occasion,
Dr. Raymond presided over the
exercises aud introduced the speak
els. The entertainment of the eve
ming was opened by the University
Orchestra which rendered waltz,
''Impassioned Dream" receiving a
round of applause Miss Howe iol-
lowed with Il Love Dream" on the
piano. She as usual rendered the
selection nagniticently and was Civ
en- rapt attention.
The fist speaker OF the evening
was introduced The question for
debate was. Resolved, That the best
interests of the United States de-
mand the extension of her territory
beyond the North American cont
nent. Mr.. William Wellington
I Hughes of the Columbian Society
was the first speaker.
Mr. Hughes was self possessed
and delivered a very fine production
HIS enunciation at times was moi
clear and this is the only thing that
detracted in the slightest from his
performance, His gestures were
good and his points well taken. Hi
received great deal of applause
when he had finished his opening
address.
Mr.. Robert Guy was the mex
speaker. He took up the question
as his side of the case viewed it.anc
showed how differently it was from
the way the affirmative treated IL
1t was not the good that we nigh
do for others but the prof
Cor ourselves that was involved. Hi.
voice was very poor and he suffered
from some throat affection.
The Women's Glee Club sang tht
"Gondoliers Song aud did it g
well that they were forced to respont
10 an enthusiastic encore.
The Second speaker for the atiit
nation Mr.. Emory Ison Irelan,
came next. Mr.. Ireland was yer,
much at home on the platform am
gave very smooth performance
His voice was not strong but other
wise he had very fine performance
He was followed by MIR. Alpheu
Wilson Smith who closed the dc
: bate for the negative. Mr.. Smitl
was at his hest and he dehv
: cred magnificent production. Hi
voice was good and his gestures ele
quaint. The various points on til
the negative side of the question
were hurled with great force at tn
affirmative and the audience wa
aroused to great enthusiasm.
Mr.. Hughes then was given fix
minutes to close the debate and b
employed the time very well maxim
some very good answers to tn
, points made by the negative.
Miss Houston rendered "rhe tw'
skylarks doing it in her Usual ele
giant manner. Although a YER
young lady Miss Houston is takin
high rank as pianist and her pei
formances are always fine.
The Mems Glee Club san
streams of silver moonbeams" an,
while they were singing this th
judges retired to make up their yer
dict. The audience was so take
with the song that they insisted o.
: an encore but this was refused them
The judges were O. S. Marshal
of New Cumberland, Prof. A. "
Lorentz of Morgantown, and Rev
l.. w. Barr of Fairnunt. The dc
cision was unanimously in favor c
the affirmative The grades wer
s94, 81 and 100 to s29 and s2a. On
of the judges after giving the Colum
bians 100 aud not marking the Pal
thenons any thing left the hall.
The performance as whole was
very creditable one and set hig
/ standard for those who come after
wards on the joint debates.