Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-02-03
BENSON WON THE DEBATE
Large and Enthusiastic Audience at
Benson -Will1nar High School
Debate in Bonde Hall.

Gsily decorated in the national
colors and ringing with the High
School yells and choruses of q merry
lot OF students, Bonde Hall never
presented more animated scene than
that which was Witnessed last Friday
evening. Enthusiasm WAS at q high
pitch, for it was the occasion of q
literary contest that would decide the
championship between the High
Schools of Willmsr and Benson.
The question for debate, "Resolved,
that American Municipalities Should
Own and Operate Their Public Utili.
ties," was ably discussed by both
teams. The wordy war resulted in q
victory for Benson's trio, who upheld
the negative side Of the question, and
. unanimous decision WAS given by
the Judges. Willmar's team, however,
made very good showing, and con-
sidering the fact that It was their first
public appearance in 3 debate, and
that they were pitted against team
containing two members that appeared
in last years debates in the state
league, they are deserving OF much
credit for their efforts.
The Benson delegation numbered
about forty. Besides Supt. Hilleboe
and his team of debaters-Leon Smith,
Hugh McCune and Wylie Stone, there
were present about thirty OF the High
School pupils, who came to urge the
boys on to victory. In the delegation
were Rev. s. Heath of the Congre-
gationsl church and J. B. Edmtnster
of the Benson Mo aitor, besides several
citizens who arrived later. The WILL
mar team of debaters-Albert- N.
Gilbertson, Victor S. Koutson aud
Wallace 81. Martin, was backed by
the faculty and fellow students of the
Central school, and each school was
we'll represented in the large audience.
There WAS q good sprinkling of friends
OF the schools present to witness the
friendly rivalry and all joined in the
spirit Of the occasion.
The time set for the opening of the
program was eight O'Clock and before
! II Asthessoets
in the hall were occupied. On one
side was srrayed the puplls OF the
Willmar school and on the other the
delegation from Benson's high school,
and both lent mnch enthusiasm to the
occasion by iudulging in yells aod
choruses from time to time. 1t was q
merry and enthusiastic lot of boys
and girls, and the colors of the two
schools-red and white for Benson
and red for Willmar-were very much
In evidence. Acting as judges were:
County Attorney w. E. Bicknell, OF
Morris, City Superintendent of Schools
A. 8. Kingsford, OF Litchfeld, and
City Superintendent OF Schools M. L.
jacobson, of Atwater. A. F. Nordin,
Judge of probate, of this city, off,
ciated 40 the presiding officer. The
time-keepers were supt. Hilleboe, OF
Benson, and J. Emil Nelson, of the
Wu1MAR TRIBUNE. Ten minutes
was the time allowed each debater for
his opening argument and five minutes
for the rebuttal.
While it was evident that the Ben
son team had received better train
ing, especially in delivery. yet in
thought the Willmar trio was q close
second. The two points which entered
largely into the decision OF the judge g
were thought and delivery. Gilbert
SOD, who opened the debate for Will
mar, showed fine oratorical powers
ana Messrs. Stone and McCune for
Benson we're veterans along that line.
1t WAS generally admitted that Will
mar was weak In rebuttal. Kuutson
opened this part of the program, but
In trying to cover too much ground In
the allotted time, spoke 80 rapidly
that he failed to make good Inn
preston upon his hearers. Martin
followed with q good reply to his
opponents and the closing argument
BY Gilbertson was clearly presented
but as the trio had not made enough
previous preparations for rebutta]
they failed to cover all the points
desired, relying mostly upon the notes
t.Lon dovn at the time.
Music was furniehed during the eve
ming as follows: The opening selec'
tion was by a girls' chorus from the
Eiphth grade, followed by a violiz
solo by Arthur Anderson. Thesolowat
10 we'll received that the audience de-
manded an encore ana the young ana
promising musician responded with
another number. AT the conclusion
of the debate Misses Alice and Cor.
Berkness plsye ed we'll executed piano
duet. ...
When the decision OF the judges wa'
announced, there wos . Wild cheering
for Benson and congratulations wer'
pronered from, the supporters To-
-Willmsr 40 we'll as those for. Benson
Superintendent Tonning announced
that there would be an sdjournmeann
taken TO the adjoining room, wher' re
tho Benson visitors Z would be tn
]. guests Il 90 informal reception tend
ered 81 the High School faculty aas
4 ,,,,,,,n,,. ara * vhich Ehay vere invites