Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1901-06-17
COLUMBIANS WON.
Inter Society Debate Held on
Saturday Night

Decline of Democracy Discnssed-Nee-
ly and Hendricks the Winners-W.
). John of This Place wen the W. c.
7. U. Prize-Long Drawn out affair
which Tires the Audienee-p Performs
ers did Very we'll.
The w. G. T. U. contest for the prize
OF twenty five dollars and the Inter
society debate took place at Com
mencemenu hall on Saturday evening.
A small audience was in attendance
on account Of the steady rain fall.
Before the contest was over more than
two thirds OF the audience had left the
hall, wearied with the great amount
of time consumed. The productions
which were really fine failed to hold
the people. Three hours Of solid ora.
ing, and those having in charge these
contests should profit by the experience
OF Saturday evening. Unless
change is made by another year the
audience of each succeeding year will
grow smaller, until only the judges
and those deeply interested in the
contest only will attend.
The prize in the W. G. f. u. con.
test was awarded to w. S. John,
His subject was sThe Natural Pro-
gress Of Temperance Reform. The
other contestant was w. w. Smith
ana his subject was "A Plea for Total
Abstinence.
At the close of this program Miss
Keener rendered piano solo. "Ghan-
son Joyeuse."
The judges in this contest were DR..
S. V. Leech, Mr.. d. w. Ohern and
Rev. ]. c. Marley.
The w. G. t. y. program was fol-
lowed by the Inter-soeiety debate
The prize in this contest is fifty dol
lars and the amount is awarded 20
the successful society. This year it
goes to the Columbian literary socie-
ty. The representatives Of this So
ciety have been successful for the past
two or three years.
The question was, Resolved, That
the Spirit Of Democracy IN the United
States is declining.
Affirmative Z. w. Hendricks and
NJ NJ Nicely, of the Columbian society
and the negative by P. w Cooper and
d. e. Cuppett Of the Parthenon So
ciety. Mr.. Cuppett took the place Of
Rev. ]. ID. Vannoy, who is i'll with
fever
1t would be hard for an audience to
decide which had the better of the
debate, so nearly equalled were the
forces. Both sides put up good argu-
ments, and it was the opinion of sew
eral competent judges. who remained
until the close, that the contest vas
credit to the University and reflect
ed much credit upon both societies.
There was little of the fire works and
pyrotechnic display so characteristic
Of such contests, but the battle for
supremacy was waged on more adj
yanced lines. The contestants show
ed good judgment in emitting these
features aud adopting the more adj
vanced grounds OF logic and reason.
This indicates the advancement Of
the University students to higher and
broader work in literary way, carry
ing with it, as it does, a realization
that in the great arena Of politics and
law, and in all that the rostrum has
its part, that mere appeal to pas
sion, and a play upon words is lost
without an appeal to reason. The
spread-eagle speech cuts little figure
in this age against solid argument
and reason.
Awaiting the decision Of the judges
quartet for two pianos was rendered
by Misses Reed, Ward, McMurphy and
Mrs. Copeland
The contest was awarded to the af-
flrmauive, T. w. Hendrick and NJ.
NJ. Nicely representatives Of the
Columbian society
The judges were Judge Okey John
son, DR.. A. nj. Buchanan, and Rev.
I. A. Barnes, all of Morgantown.
CIRCUS DAY.