The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-11

other states have sent for the coi1sttu-
ton and annual report. -. ..
The plan Is being tried in California in
modified form and Professor Hoag
writes from Philadelphia that after read:
ing the Minnesota report he Is organz-
ing an interscholastic league in that city.
Even far-away West Virginia. sends
greetings and wishes Minnesota success in
this effort The, superintendents are
commended for their, effort to. substitute
teal educa tional value, for the old
declamatory Evolutionary contest which
served little purpose beyond making
students pompous and unna tural." =.
1t is certain. therefore. that the results
Of this years work will be awaited with
interest outside of the state,
Not all the district directors have been
prompt in reporting arrangements for the
preiminaries. but at last report it ap-
peared that there would probably be
twenty-s schools in the race for the
state championship. -
Interest is intense in the ninth district,
as 1t was last year There will be seven
schools under Director Vandyke's care
and the first contests will be held to-mor-
row evening. when Crookston will meet
East Grand Forks; Detroit will meet Per-
ham. and Ada will try conclusions with
Fergus Falls, Moorhead will enter the
second series. Barnesv1le, which has
produced some good teams in the pas
will not enter this year.
More interest is manifested III the eighth
district this year than last. Duluth won
the district championship last year by de-
fault. This year she will have some
worthy competitors. She has been inter
ested in debate for a number of years and
always produces good teams. At one time
she held the state championship.
Anoka produced good debaters some
place on the Central League team from
the University of Minnesota Is an Anoka
boy. and reflects great credit on his school.
The Central League, by the way, is
composed of Chicago. Northwestern,
Michigan and Minnesota. and is the
strongest league in tine west, and the only
league in the United States where the
championship IS fought out annually be-
| tween four large universities.
But, to return to Anoka, Superintendent
Sperry has been interested in the State
High School League since its organization
and will send out a team this year. Two
Harbors and Grand Rapids will make their
first trials and it is hoped they, will do
well. They both report interest but lack
Of experience. In the sixth district more
interest Is manifested this year than last
but it will result in the preparation Of a
single team. Superintent Frazier Of Little
Falls has been interested from the first
and has a team ready If he can find any
one to meet him. st. Cloud prepared a
good team last year but will not be rep
resented in this. years contests. Long
Prairie and Park Rapids, both do good
work in debate and have held some OK.
cellent contests outside of the league. ..
EARLY in the fall Elk River intended to
enter but later abandoned the idea. :;
The seventh district came clear to the
front last year. .Glenwood was in the
final contest held at the university. This
year Benson, Browns Valley and Morris
will hold a three cornered contest for dis
trict honors; unless Superintendent Nc
Intyre Of Glenwood. who is director-of the
seventh. decides to prepare a. team. He
favors debate strongly under proper condi-
tions. but is not sure that conditions war
| rant his school in entering this year.
Superintendent A. C.. .Tibbetts is district
director in the second district, and Blue
Earth City. Fafrmont and Winnebago City
will contend for honors in the southwest
Fairmont and Winnebago did not compete
last year, and their efforts will be watched
with interest. It is possible that Mankatc
will prepare team, but there was some
doubt in the fall and Superintendent Uline
| has not reported recently. Few superin.
| tendents In the state favor debate more
| strongly than he does. s
| From the southeastern part of the state
reports have not come in lately; It i
possible that Austin, which had yer,
strong team in 1902, may win by default
! in the first district i:.. E
| Owatonna had good team last yea,
also, but it is not certain that she will
enter in 1903. Spring Valley in the frs
! and st. Peter in the second are interested
and it is reported that they with hold /
i debate. but it is probable that they vii
/ meet independent Of the league.
| a f1,, to-,
i was much interested last year hut hi
/ school did not join the league. This yea
] it is reported that Faribault will have