Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-01-31
W|LLMAR WINS DEBATE
Defeated the Madison Team Last Friday
and Now Holds Championship Of
the Seventh District.

s"V ~OvOuSU DsSS6uCSs
: Resolved That all elective state,
!: district, county and city officers
!: should be nominated by direct pri-
!: maries held under state regulation,
!: rather than by delegate conven-
=: tiOns.
..................
TO the large audience of people
from Willmar and surrounding coun-
try that gathered at the opera house
last Friday evening to listen to the
Madison Willmar high school debate
there was certainly given happy sur
prise. Most of them had gone there
with the full conviction that our boys
would stand little chance of winning,
for two reasons: First, because the op-
posing team was made up of three
young ladies, and it is generally con-
ceded that when the result is in any
way doubtful the chivalrous feeling of
the average American gentleman will
make him decide in favor of the ladies;
second, it was thought that the ques-
tion was of the jug-handle variety,
with the handle in possession of the
Madison team. But as the debate
progressed it became evident that the
resourceful young men on the Will
mar team had cemented pretty stout
handle on their side of the jug, and
when the last rebuttal was ended there
was little doubt in the audience as to
the result.
The program Of the evening was
opened with we'll rendered selection
by the Willmar High school orchestra,
led by Prof. Hegsttom Prof. Hille-
Doe, who had been selected as the pre-
siding officer, then announced the sub
ject, read the rules governing the de-
bate and announced that the judges
were: Supt. M. P. Fobes, MARSHALL;
Supt. F. Mcintyre, Glenwood, and
Prof. P. T. Colgrove, St. Cloud. The
debate was opened by Miss Ella Kit
tleson of Madison for the affirm ative,
followed by Wallace Martin of Will
mar for the negative. The other
speakers followed in this order: Effie
Nordgaarden, Carl Jacobson, Clara
Kittleson and Victor Knutson. On
the rebuttal Carl jacobson spoke first,
Wallace Martin next and Victor Knut-
son closing for the side. The Madi-
son team followed the same order as
in the main argument, the debate be-
ing closed by Miss Clara Kittleson.
In the main speeches the young
ladies from Madison made a. very
good impression. They made good
presentation of their side of the case,
and their delivery was clear and
impressive. On the rebuttal they fell
into the common mistake of inexperi-
enced Misunderstanding to cover too
many points, instead of taking time to
drive home few of the strongest
points. Taken as whole, the Madi-
son people can we'll be proud of the
young ladies that represented their
school in this debate, even if they did
not win.
The Willmar debaters surprised
even their intimate friends who had
heard them frequently in former de-
bates. Their speeches showed deep
and patient research into the subject
and great power of original thought.
On the rebuttal they were especially
strong, showing good Judgment in
picking out the most vulnerable points
in the affirmative arguments and thus
getting time to deliver few telling
blows instead of a succession of quick
hammer taps. This was undoubtedly
one of the main reasons why they won
the debate
Both teams were remarkably we'll
balanced, and to pick out any indi-
vidual for special praise would be
doing injustice to the others.
While the judges were rendering
their decision the orchestra gave
another selection. The presiding
officers then read the decision-one
vote in favor of the affirmative and
two in favor of the negative. The
decision was received with cheers that
made the building tremble.
After the debate q reception in
honor of the visiting team was given
at BOnde hall. Light refreshments
were served, and good social time
was enjoyed by all. The best of feel
ing prevailed. The Madison team
won the hearts of the crowd by the
goodnatured manner in which they
accepted their defeat, and they were
repeatedly cheered by the Willmar
"rooters.
The visiting team was accompanied
by Prof. F. N. Williams, superintend-
ent of the Madison schools, and Mrs.
j. F. jacobson, wife of Hon. j. F.
Jacobson, who acted as chaperon.
This victory leaves the boys the
champions Of the Seventh district, q
distinction they also won last year.
The next event in which they will par
ticipate will likely be with Fergus
Falls at that city, which boasts of the
championship of the Ninth district.
The Ladies Aid society of the Free
r ~ 4.