Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-12-21


In perfect enunciation. that the nice
rules Of rhetoric were not always
closely adhered TO detracted In no de-
gree from the favor OF the Grafton
with the audience. In tact the effect
was more pronounced because there
was no straining Tor the art which In
m inexperienced speaker Ia well nigh
certain to result In an artiAciallty
that Is ulspleasing.
The speakers subject was THE
Railways Of the United States" q top
ic that might be supposed not to lend
itself readily to oratorical success,
yet the youth handled It 30 earnestly,
appositely, and with such surprising
breadth OF thought and power Of imag-
ination AS to leave no doubt as to his
possession OF an uncommon oratorical
gift. The audience testified Its plea
sure by the heartiest applause Of the
evening. The boy should be given
every encouragement to cultivate his
talents In this direction. a. he gives
bright promise Of becoming a mem.
Der Of that exceeding limited class
the American orator.
Miss May Ross. whose resourceful
subject was "The Power of Imagin.
ation." was word perfect In her de-
livery. she gave evidence OF the
most careful preparation. was entire
ly at ease. and she gave the greatest
attention to the distinct enunciation Of
every syllable, and to elOcuti0nary en-
phasis. and the Interpretation OF the
thought Of her creation, the compost
tion being finished. and elegant. and
the thought noble, imaginative and
mature. Miss Ross has been blessed
by nature with-a mobile, pleasing and
resonant voice. and elOcuti0nary
gifts. which, n wisely directed. will
enable her to achieve distinction that
can be enjoyed by. few.
Clarence williams delivered Z
thoughtful and effective orntion on
Our Immigrants" Myron Benedict's
subject was "The Evolution Of Child
Education" He treared the theme
comprehensively and aoly and spoke
eaaiiy and plea4ins,y. Miss Amsiis
Turner spoke simply. gracefully and
naturally on "The Power Of Thought. !"
Her delivery; wholly lacking In afRec.
tion- or striving for artificial effect.
ranked high. Alex. Connell was N
other contestant who chose an appa.
rently didactic and unimaginative sub
ject. ana treated II with an ssarness-
ness sptituda and 'sl0Quence. which
gave evidence Of much. natural ORA,
torfcai ability. "CfviliSsti6R the Deb
tor 81 Mechanics" was his theme.
Lawrence Clark cane last on tho
program. His subject was A Men
ace to the Republic" which as inter-
preted by the clever youth was
"Gyaft." The speakers frst sen.
tence caught the audience and. he held
the closest attention to the end. Re
has strong and .melOddous voice.
his sentences were apt, fmcible and
smoothly rounded. Lis climaxes tor
cible, and natural a. could be wished.
He also gave the impression OF re-
serve power and he. treated q popu-
lar and resourceful subject In an able
and thoughtful manner. The young
man gives every promise OF making
his mark % q public speaker.
!. The judges for the high school
were Prof. Otto. the Rev. Mr.. Nor
ley and Mrs. Perry ON thought and
composition and w. G. Hayden, Faith.
er Pouget and Mrs. Callahan on de.
livery For the normal the follow
Ing Judges ofiiciated: Rev. a. H
Treat, A. +. Rogers, r. X. Grant on
thought and composition; Lr. Lefko
vits, Or. e. b. Shaw. and Chas. w
q. Ward on delivery. The markings
were placed In sealed envelopes and
graded by Mr.. Hayden and Mr.. Sund
strum. DR.. Upton announced the re
suits for the normal and Mr.. Hay
don did similar service for the high
school. awarding the prizes 70 the
winners. II