The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-05
A SPLENDID DEBATE
BY BAPTIST GIRLS
AstrotectOn and Philaretians
at B. F. u,
THE ASTROTECT0NS WIN
But the Philaretians Pushed Them
Very Hard.
THE ASTROTECTONS WIN
CHEERS MET WITH COUNTER CHEERS
The Quarry Was Resolved: That the Pension
system Of the United States Should
Not be Abolished" and the
Contrast Exciting

1t was a contest full of spirit and abili
ty that took place at the Baptist Female
University last night.
The young ladies of the Astrotecton
Society and those of the Philaretian. met
in debate. 1t was a royal contest of
brains, and though the Astrotectons won
it was but by shade that they over
came the brilliant efforts of the Philare-
tians.
The debate was not open TO the public,
which is to be regretted, for the conduct
of the meeting, the ability and high
literary finish of the speeches made, and
the general excellence OF the entire
evening were all worthy of a large au-
dience.
There were three debaters on each side
of the Query, which was: Resolved,
That the Pension System of the United
States Should Not Be Abolished" there
being in the affirmative three of the
Astrotectons: Misses Estelle Johnson, of
Scotland Neck; Kate Dunn. of Scotland
Neck; Minnie Sutton, of Monroe, while
the Philaretians, who had the negative
were Misses Eliza Wooten, of La Grange;
Elizabeth Parker, of Albemarle, and
Mary Johnson, of Virginia.
Each speaker was rewarded with great
applause by the assembled student body,
the society membership itself number
ing over 200. When the judges Messrs.
Josephus Daniels, E. P. Moses and Prof.
F. l.. Stevens, filed out to make their de-
cision there was buzz of expectancy
that hummed about the hall.
For the committee the report was
made by Mr.. Josephus Daniels, who spoke
in most complimentary terms concerning
all the young ladies who took part, and
announced that the affirmative had won,
the vote being two to one. AS the award
was made the defeated Philaretians
walked across the stage and congratu-
lated their opponents, while the success
full society in the hall cheered and the
defeated one replied with counter cheers,
all in good spirit and with smiling faces.
A beautiful instrumental trio by Misses
Jessie Bane, Eva Smith and Mary Lou
Josey closed the exercises.
The debate was presided over by Miss
Margaret Shields, of Scotland Nesk,
president of the Astrotectons, while
Miss Rosa Shields, of CASTOR, President
of the Philaretians acted as secretary.
The other officers of the Astrotectons
are Miss Mary Perry, of Monroe, vice
president and Miss Estelle Johnson, OF
Scotland Neck, secretary, the Philare-
tians having as vice. president Miss Leila
Suttle, of Shelby, and as secretary Miss
|, Elizabeth Tull, of Kinston. The young
lady Marshals were: Philaretians-Miss
Gather Smith. of Charlotte; Miss Leila
Suttle, of Shelby. AstratectonS-MisS
Grace Galloway, of Mt. Airy; Miss Emma
Harrington of Scotland Neck
The exercises began with a welcome adj
dress by Miss Margaret Shields, who
spoke in excellent style of this first
Inter Society Debate She stated that
it was with a spirit of generous rivalry
that the debate was entered into and
that the debaters had had no extra time
from their college duties to make their
preparation, but that she hoped the
speakers would convince the audience
that woman has other reasons than be
cause" She stated further that the
judges were to make their decision on
the argument and not on oratory or
other things that go to make up q good
paper.
After a vocal solo by Miss Lille Nor
gan, Miss Rosa Paschal, secretary, read
the query and the debate began. The
first speaker was Miss Estelle Johnson
on the affirmative. Among other things
she said: