The daily sentinel., 1899-05-08

three sister cities of western and central
Colorado look forward to with a deep
and an abiding interest,
"a generous but nevertheless keen ri
valry has sprung up between the three
cities over these annual oratorical con-
tests, and they have served to stimulate
the youth of the high schools to tho
greatest exertion in cultivating what
ever of talent in public speaking they
may possess.
Everyone who heard the young men
and young ladies last night realized that
keen rivalry for first place had resulted
in bringing together contestants 20 close
ly matched in all that pertains to the
art of elocution, that only the trained
and technical judge could detect that
slight shading of difference which dis
tinguished very best from the very best.
"Leadville feels proud to have won the
first honor in oratory. The young man
whose splendid effort won him the dis
tinction is Harry j. Reef. son Of Mr.. and
Mrs. Joseph s. Reef. Miss Meier OF,
Aspen, certainly has no cause, no aever
to feel in the least chagrined at the fail
ure to secure the coveted honor. Her
Grafton was clever, polished, sprightly
and just fell below the very best by the
fine shadipgs OF the judges markings.
"Grand Junction won the honors in
the recitation contest. 1t was another
victory for young man, Phidela Rice'
giving streng evidence of a most power
full dramatic talent in the difficult piece
he had selected
"Phidela Rice might be second Ed
tor. He has the voice, the manner, the
tragic mien Of the melancholy Dane.
THE Shadow of Song" is one Of those
wierdly sad love tragedies in the strictly
fin de steele STYLE 1t has touch of the
liking in Yellow" about it, and young
Rice threw into it all the unutterble
sadness of the lover who has lost his
love. The effect was heightened by the
clover introduction OF slow music, and
the whole Of the monaloge was finch
ed bit OF acting. deservedly gaining first
prize for this clever young man from
Grand Junction.
"Miss Olive Hensel of Grand Junction
whose theme was music, was unfortu-
nate. She had sweet voice, and
charming ma oner, and the opening sen
tences of on "Music" were pretty ex-
pressed. But before she had proceed
far she was compel ed to retire on ac
count Of her voice failing, due evidently
to a severe cold.
"The judges in the contest were: Mrs,
Helen Grenfell, state supsrintedent OF
public Instructions; DR.. z. X. Snyder,
State Normal school; DR.. Phillips, Uni
versity OF Denver.
Judges on thought and composition of
orations-Mr. j. H. Van Sickle, superin-
teudent of North-Side schools. Denver;
Prof. ]. r. Bracket, University of Colo
RADIO; Prof j. F. Daniels, State Normal
school.
A reception was rendered to the visi-
tors from Aspen and Grand Junction at
the opera house."
The winning OF one of the first prizes
by scholar of the Grand junction High
school, shows that the criticisms of the
opponents OF the policy of giving the
schools of the city the very best talent
that can be found, have been at fault
Grand Junction ranks second to no city
in the state, in the record that her schol-
ars have m ade, everywhere they go. 1t
is a refutation OF any skin flint policy
and all the friends of public school sys-
tenn in this city rejoice in the record
made by the scholars.