The Minneapolis journal., 1903-02-26
SEMI FINALS NEAR
District Champions in Debate Will
Meet March e-How They
Will Be Matched.
Prest. McDermott Of High School
Debating League Submits Cues
tions for Next Year.

Members of the high school teams,
which were successful in the district con-
tests of the State High School Debating
league, are now hard at work preparing
for the semi-finals all of which it is
planned to hold March 6.
Austin and Blue Earth, representing the
first and second districts respectively will
meet at Blue Earth
Faribault Of the third district and Min.
neapolfs Central High of the fifth debate
at Faribault. The Central High school
takes the place of the East High, which
won the fifth district contests, owing to
the poor health OF one of the members OF
the East High team.
The fourth and seventh districts, rep
resented by st. Paul Central High and
Benson respectively, Will hold their con-
test in st. Paul. The sixth districts team,
Little Falls, has already been defeated by
st. Paul
The contest between the eighth ana
ninth district teams. Duluth and Fergus
Falls, will be held at Fergus Falls.
The Leagues Success.
The success of the Minnesota league
has attracted wide attention. Professor
E. e. McDermott president Of the league.
has received numerous letters from other
states asking for information as to the
plan of organiza tion and rules for con
similar leagues. One Of the most recent
Of these letters. is from Professor Eams
of Devils Lake, N. D. Professor Fans
has noted the success Of the Minnesota
League and says that the organization Of
a similar association among the high
schools Of North Dakota is, probable
Professor McDermot has prepared a
list Of questions one of which will be Sc
lected for the debate of next year. Tht.
list is presented below and teachers and
students are requested to arrange them
In the order Of their preferences and send
the lists so arranged to the professor. The
question receiving first place with the
largest number will be the question for
next year. Professor McDermott makes
the following statement:
1T is apparent that a question which is
to be debated by the High School league
for an entire year should be selected with
great care. Such a question should pos
sess at least five characteristics.
"First-It should be SO well balanced
to win.
"Second-t should be a live ISSUE, in
order that the community may become
interested, not in the debate alone, but,
through debate, in all school work.
"Third-It should be an important ques-
ton A large number of bright boys and
girls are now spending much valuable time
In debate. This time should be profitably
spent It is not sufficient that the study
Of the question should result in mental
discipline and fluent address, The large
store Of facts gathered should be Of prac-
tical value. They should prepare the stu
dent better for the duties of citizenship.
"Fourth-Since the question is to be
used for an entire year, it should offer
opportunity for wide reading, original re-
search and original thought. If exhausted
early, 1t might grow stale.
"Fifth-As far as possible, it should
bring the student in contact with things
as we'll as books. 1t is a misfortune that
school life is Of necessity 50 largely book
! life. The schoolboy is bred on books anc
fed on books, until finally he is at loss
| if he cannot go to book for his informa-
ton When he leaves school and begins
| to earn living, it takes him sometime tc
adjust himselfft ITO the new conditions. The
boy who, while still TN school, has learned
to observe the forces that are at work
all about him guiding and shaping his
community and his state. has learned g
very practical lesson He has partially
bridged over the gulf which separates
school life from practical life.
1 1T Is believed that the following ques.
tions possess the above characteristics il
greater or less degree. The students an6
teachers who are interested in the league
are earnstly requested to arrange then
| IN order OF their preference and return
them to the president of the league before
March 10, 1908. The question placed frs
| by the largest number Of schools will ,bt
submitted about May l, 1908, for mex
years league debates.
The Questions Offered.
First-Resolved, That every candidate for elec
/ tive office whose functions are limited to tht
| state should be nominated by direct vote of hi
| party.
| second- Resolved That Am.ric.n ,nrrio;noH
l ties should own and operate public utilities.
| Third-Resolved, That the United States shoult
require an educa tionai test for immigrants.
| Fourth-Resolved, That the study of Greel
! and Latin should be discontinued in our higl
schools.