The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1901-03-25
INTERCOLLEGIATE
ORAT0RY ROW
Matter Chewed Over Again
At Salem Saturday
Young Minchin of Newberg
Was Entirely Exonerated---
Some Revelations

College alone voting negatively, Elwoou
Minchin, of Pacific Collese was officially
exonerated of the charge OF plagiarism
by the executive committee OF the
intercollegiate Oratorical Association oil
Oregon on Saturday afternoon. Mr..
Minchin will represent Oregon in the
Interstate Oratorical contest to be held
at Walla walla on May 20.
The decision was reached after three
hours debate, the principal speakers
b,iBz w. l.. Thompson, Of McMinnville
College, which preferred the charge, and
Prof Kelsey, of Pacific College who
appeared in behalf of Mr. Minchin. At
the opening of the meeting, Swafford,
president OF the Association ruled the
first protest out Of order on the grounds
that the constitution Of the 1, o. A. o.
contained no provision by which an
appeal could be taken from the decision
OF the Judges. The initial protest had
for it's purpose the taking away OF the
medal awarded Minchin. A second
protest, charging plagiarism, had been
fled Friday and was taken up for con-
eideration.
w. l.. Thompson, representing the
protesting college, presented the case
against Minchln.
Thompson displayed more OF less feel
ing in his remarks, devoting most OF his
time TO review OF numerous news
paper articles on the subject and to the
personal abuse Of Prof. Kelsey rather
than to discussion o, the merits OF the
case. His conduct of the case did not
leave the most pleasing impression.
Thompson concluded his remarks by
emphasizing the need OF more origin.
ality among college students and an i'm
proyement in the standard of orations
delivered at the state contests. He AZ
gued that perpetuity Of the Association
depended upon the decision rendered in
the pending case; whether the work
undertaken should be continued with
increased success or "sink to the path OF
deeeneracy. In his peroration he
became dramatic in pronouncing Min
chen ''fakir" and q plagarist. He as
sumed through Ills argument that the
accused wac plagWrist without making
any spccifc effort 10 substantiate the
accusai ions.
Newly, of Pacific college, asked that
Prof. Kelley, Of that institution be
permitted TO speak in behalf Of Minchin.
Thompson objected 10 anyone speaking
other than regular member OF the com
mittce bot he obi, ction was not sustain
ed snd the Newberg professor WAS
given the floor. In gentle
manly manner he replied to the
Improve ked attack OF Thompson and in
an able and convincing manner refuted
the accusations and indiscriminate
charges that had been preferred by tie
opposition. The motion granting PIol'
Kelsey permission to speak, as much in
his own defense as that OF Minchin's'
was mado by Esson, Of Monmouth, 81 =
onded by Williams, Of Pacific Univer-
sity.
Prof. Kelsey did not claim that Min
chin 8 oration was perfect. IL was open
TO criti ism, as WAS every ofatioa deliV-
cred at Corvallis. In some instances
the minor parts of the Grafton were sim
liar 10 those of the Martyn's biography,
but Minohin's climaXes were in every
instsnee sstirely original and decidedly
good for one Of bis age. He charged the
opposition with unjust and Unfair
methods in seeking to secretly deprive
Minchin of not only the medal but also
his good name and reputation by calling
a meeting Of the old executive commit
t,e on the last day Of its term OF office
in an effort to disf-anehise the successlul
orator without notifying him oil the
meeting and giving him an opportunity
10 be present and defend himself.
In iustice 10 Redmond, of Eugene, who
WAS a member of the old committee, "
should be stated that he was the means
of defeating this action because he would
not be a party TO the'iyrannical proceed
ing planned by the other two members
of the committee who came from CorVal'
lis and McMinnville
Thompson renewed his abuse OF Prof.
Kelsey with increased bitterness. lie
said he really felt sorry for Mlnohin who
was merely tool and was not so much
10 blame as the faculty Of Pacific College
for permitting him TO produce such an
oration. After a further o-atorieal
exhibition OF himself, THOMPSON moved
the appointment OF committee OF three
10 prepare copies Of the Grafton aud com
narrative paragraphs FROM the original
and forward copies of both TO the
respective presidents of Yalr, Harvard
and Princeton colleges, requesting them
10 pass judgement on the production Al
10 plagiarism. The motion failed OF
second and Thompson resumed his seat
Williams, OF Pacific University ex
plained that his college Was not
. party 10 the charges that had LeeE
: preferred, reports 20 that efiec
/. baing incorrect. lie stat that tn'
: nYotest from Forest Grove came from
5 AN individual who Was not oonneote'
6 with the school.
intercollegiate relations by this tim
s had become sorely strained sni TN
services Of a meditstor we're needed
. Hugh Esson, Of Monmouth, supPlie'