Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1905-06-20
THE JOINT CELEBRAT ION.
By The Philokalian And Philoma-
thean Societies of ST.
Johns.
LAST EVENINGS EXERCISES.
Affirmative Wins In Joint Debate
On Maintenance of
The Navy.

There was somewhat of change in
! this years program of exercises at st.
! Johns College. Heretofore it had
| been customary for each of the liter
airy societies-the PhilokaliRn and
| PhilomatheaB-to hold separate and
| distinct celebrations on two consecu-
tive evenings of commencement week.
after the program of each of which
| there was dance.
On each and every occasion there
were two distinct classes of people
who comprised the audience. One
class who went with the intent and
purpose of enjoying the literary pro-
gram, the other class who went solely
for the dancing. The latter class
usually occupied the gallery, and not
being Interested in the program, litter
ed and laughed throughout its entire
length, much to the annoyance of the
speakers and audience downstairs.
A change of plans was suggested
this year, and it was decided to give
joint celebration of the two societies
and to dispense with the dance, TO
which most things at the college in the
entertainment line, seem TO subserve.
The program opened with an oration
by Mr.. e. H. CLARK, of Ellicott City.
His subject was "War. Mr.. CLARK
spoke well and delivered his Grafton
in highly oommendabe manner.
Mr.. IL. w Willing was down on the
program as the eSsayist of the even
ing, but he failed to materialiZe and
the debate, which was the chief fea-
ture of the evenings program, was
then announced by the president, Mr..
b. Duvall Chambers. The subject
was "Resolved-T it is for the
best interests of the United States
that it construct and maintain large
Navy" On the affirmative side were
@. A. Mcbride, Middletown, Md. a.
w. Harris, Glyndon, Md. and on the
negative side j. Howard Fox, Perry
Hall, Md. Walter Williams, Pooles-
vile, Md. Mr.. A. w. Harris. of Glyn-
don, opened the debate for tho affir-
NATIVE. Mr.. Harris read from manu-
script. He made some good points, but
the very fact that he and all save one
of the debaters read from manuscript.
detracted from the argument on both
sides and lowered the tone of the
"debate. y MIR. Harris was followed
by air. Walter Williams, of Pooles-
vile, Md, for the negative. Mr..
Williams spoke extempore, and put
forth an excellent argument His
tone. manner and forceful style in
which he presented his points won for
him much worthy oommendation. In
deed Mr. Williams was by far the star
speaker of the debate.
Mr.. Williams was followed by Mr..
Mcbride for the affirmative. =. Mr.. Nc
Bride also spoke from manuscript, and
even at that had some difficulty in
reading his own writing. While he
made some good points and presented
a strong argument why the United
States should construct and maintain
large navy, much of the forceful-
ness of his argument was lost by his
having to read from manuscript, and
not having committed the paper to
memory. Mr.. J. Howard Fox. of
Perry Hall, followed for the negative
and also read his argument from
manuscript The refutation of the
argument on the side of tie affirma-
tive was made in five minute speech
by Mr.. Mcbride, and closed with a
speech of similar length refuting the
affirmative by Mr.. Fox for the mega.
tive.
Taken all in all the debate was dis
appointing, inasmuch as the debaters
and read very poorly even from manu-
script. 1t is to be regretted that this
criticism must be made, but it is just
and proper that it should be, and it is
hoped next year there will be great
Improvement Some time ago the two
literary societies of st. Johns held a
Joint debate, which was far better
than that of last night. There does
L..
two literary societies as formerly.
They lack vim and energy. They
lack the spirit of friendly rivalry that
gave them ancimation in past years.
Several reasons are advanced for the
change. chief among which is the adj
vent of the new Greek Letter Frater-
nifty, which has taken some of the best
men FROM both societies.
The Phllokalians and Philomatheans
should wake up. take on new life and
become spirited for the good of them
Il selves and the good of the college.
Some of the best lawyers in Maryland
and other states and many of the best
orators of the country today owe their
start along this line TO one of the two
literary societies of st. Johns Col
lege. 1t is tC be regretted that the
young men ol tCuhy nave scSuihElS
permitted these societies 20 fall into
bad habits The program last evening
was inteTspersed with music by the
Naval Academy orchestra. during a
selection of which the judges, Hon.
| John Writ Randall, Professor Johnson
and Rev. b. A. Bryan, retired TO de
eide on the merits of the argument.
Mr.. Randall rendered the decision on
II IoTt rf "a n n
affirmative. and the victors were heart
Il -. xz.x..~. 4,Iofo1 -, shafr ouuooapfc