The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1903-05-27
INDIANA WINS FIRST
Honors in Oratorical Contest,
Illinois and Ohio State Fin
ish in the Order Named.


Vest Yirginia's Representative De-
iiyered Finished Oratiou-All Con-
testants Did welI-Closest Contest
in History Of League.
The contest of the Central Orator
zeal League at Commencement Hall
Friday night was the closest and
best in the Leagues history. There
was a wide difference of opinion
among the judges in regard to the
merit of the different orations and
between second and third place
there was only difference of two
points in five hundred. The decision
OF the judges gave first honoIs to
Hale heeny, Indiana University.
second honors to Irving Western, OF
Illinois aud third honors to John III.
Warner, of Ohio State University.
The program was opened with a
spirited rendition of Dixie by the
cadet band. For fully half an hour
the musicians and cheering squads
had The program all to themselves.
Under the leadership of M. NJ.
Nicely, the roofing squads cheered
and sang and yelled. Each Uni
yersity was given a round of cheers
West Virginia yells, and special
cheers for Miss John of course pre-
dominated.
When the audience had got settled
Prof. Patterson, secretary OF the
League, introduced DIR. Purinton.
La a brief speech he welcomed all
the visitors to West Virginia. assur-
ing them that their visit was appre-
eiated. He spoke of the Significance
of contest in oratory, and said so
long as there we've hopes to kindle,
hearts TO stir, and minds to mould.
the art OF oratory would not he lost,
press comments to the contrary not
withstandlag.
Prof. John Mantei Clapp, of In
diana, president OF the League, re-
sponded, expressing the Leagues
qualification at having West Virgin
ia as one of the members, and the
great satisfaction at being able to
meet in Mcrgantown. He also paid
a high tribute 10 the art of oratory.
The first place on the program of
orations, fell to Miss DAISY Bell
John. When she came on the stage
she was ccmpelled to pause for fully
two minutes, while cheer after cheer
for West Virginia and her fair
champion rent the air. Her subject
was sThe Danger Line OF Progress.
Her line of thought followed the
efforts of woman to gain recognition
in the field of mans activity. her
success in these effot is and the dan
ger which threatens the home il this
sort of effort continues. Miss John
paid beautiful and fitting tribute
to woman's highest missions, mater
nifty and home-making. Her Grafton
was tar above the average college
production in thought and dictiop.
1t was elegant, polished, logical and
convincing. Her enunciation was
distinct, her voice and manner suit.
ed TO word and sentiment, her ges
lures and attitudes graceful an full
of meaning. She thoroughly de-
lighted her audience, and was pick
ed as the winner of the first honors
by many.
Hale Keeney, of Indiana University
was the most convincing of the speak
ers. His subject .'Child Labor" was
enc that appealed to all hearts. lie
did not hesitate to use cold facts ana
figures freely in his oraticn, and plead
the cause of the children as though
before supreme tribunal who had
their fatesin their hands. He was
very much 10 earnest, and gave one
the impression Of speak ing from con
viction. He was easy, natural and
showed many Of the instincts OF the
true orator.
''The Higher Law" by John II.
Warner, OF Ohio State University was
an Grafton In which beauty Of dicJion
and skillfnl use OF rhetorical figures
were the features. The speaker smoke
on the constitution, and showed bow
the instrument was subssrvient TO the
higher law, the will Of the people.
His voice was heavy aud resonant, and
his manner effective
Alfred Huger, OF Cornell University.
a southerner by birth spoke of the
glorious history OF the sou0hland-its
hopes and ambitions, its struggles.
trials, the tragedy ard romance of its
story. "Southward Ho.n was his
subject, and the opportunities for en-
ergy and brains offered by the south
his theme. Mr. Huger has a good
stage appearance, and a voice peculi-
arly resonant.
The grafton of David Frank
Edwards, Ohio Wesleyan on 'sThe
Province Of Industrial Democracy"
was another thoughtful and coLvinc-
ing discussion. The dominance of the
race through CONNER.
clal and industrial leadership was his
theme. The great hattie for world
supremacy between the Slav and An
predicted by sociologists
was treated in mastery manner.
Irwin M. Western, University of H. |
inois, closed the program of speeches
tribute to 1.-THE Plain People,.
He spoke eloquently of the smute, in
glorious Millions" ana "Crumwells
yuiltless of their conntry's blood -
The praises OF heroes were to often
sung, with no thought of the plain |
people who make their lives and deeds |
possible.
While the jud yes were making their |
1ecisslon, a shorJ musical program
was rendered, every number of which |
was heartily encoud. The numbers
were as follows:
Mandolin Solo, Belle of New York.
Miss Elizabeth Hartipau.
Love Song,
Miss Myrtle Shaw.
STEIN Song,
Mr.. j. r. Marcum
Song