The Oskaloosa herald., 1903-03-05

ton, or to solve some problem in econ
omics. It is true that much good
thought was expressed in many of the
numbers, but in many cases the ora
ton was rendered burdensome by the
weight of its argument and the speak
err in place of being inspired by his
or her theme was more often embar-
raised by the p%onderous questions in
volved. Oratory and %eloquence were
notably lacking during the program
and the number more often became a
mere relation of historical fact. 1t
would appear from the program Friday
evening that our college young men
have overlooked or disregarded the
essential points Of the Grafton.
There should also be some determin-
ed standard by which the production
and the oratory is graded. Too often
it is the case that persons are placed
on a board Of judges who differ great
ly as to the points of excellence. A
person to be a judge on either thought
or delivery should be conyersant with
the rules governing these points. The
professor of Greek may be able to tell
of the excellence of an essay upon the
dead languages but he may be wholly
at fault in judging a painting. The
art critic might be a successful judge
of pictures and yet be much out of
place in determining the merits of a
composition. Oratory is an art and
should be graded and judged by ar
fists in oratory. The State Oratorical
Association should adopt rules and es-
tablished lines along which the written
and spoken productions are to be judg-
ed. Then the markings would not be
dependent upon the Individual opinion
of the judges, but would be a careful
measuring of the merits of the several
numbers considered.
Business Meeting.
The business meeting of the associa-
ton was held Friday in the Penn
chapel. The morning session was de-
voted mostly to organization and the
appointment of a few committees. The
constitution is very defective in a
number of points and a committee
composed of "a. B. Tuttle of Iowa Wes-
leyan chairman, Miss Lundeen of
Tabor, Alden Cutler of Des Moines
college, Mr.. Williams of Coe and Luth-
err Carter of Penn, was appointed as a
committee on revision. They reported
at the afternoon session, which was
taken up mostly by discussions of pro-
posed changes. Only a few minor
changes were made and the work of
revision left to a committee to be APP
pointed from Drake Des Moines Col
lege and Simpson.
Officers Elected.
The Office of secretary and treasurer
in the Interstate Association zones to
Iowa this year and it was finally de-
cided to give the Office to the school
winning second place on the contest
last e vening. The officers elected for
the coming year were:
William Pilot, of Penn President.
w. IT. Hunting, of Grinnell, Vice
President.
!. w. Hawley, of Coe, Secretary and
Treasurer.
The contest next year will be held
in Grinnell.
Reception.
Following the business meeting a
reception was given the visiting stu
dents in the society hall. The rooms
were prettily decorated and day wa
turned into night by d%arkening the
windows and using the electric light.
The visitors were welcomed by a large
entertainment committee who quick
ly made them feel at home. Light re-
freshments. were served and the after
noon passed most pleasantly.
other Contests.
The contest of Friday evening is the
third time that Oskaloosa has been
honored by being made the entertain
ing city. The first time was back in
the seventies when Oskaloosa 'ollege
was quite a factor in the studen, 'te
of the state. The contest was heI
in the Simpson NJ. e. church, now the
Elks club building. Robert G. Cous-
ins, now representative to congress
from the Fifth district, was a student
at Cornell college at the time and rep
resented his school in the contest. It
is recalled that the young man made
an excellent impression at the time
and that he was among the prize win
ners.
The second time that the city was
honored was in February of 1897. Miss
Alice Starbuck, the Penn college rep
resentative, was winner of first place
in the contest. Second place went
to Thos. Osborn, of Iowa Wesleyan,
and Sidney Head, Of Cornell, took
third place. Mr.. Vincent Shinkle, of
Penn college. was vice president and
he carried the honors well for his col
lege.