The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-03-09
WESTERN LEAGUE.
OF 0RATORY (
HISTORY
President !. r; T. o'oonnor
Writes interestingly Of the
Work Of the League.

neapolis Tribune is from the pen Of
J.1T. I. O'Connor, senior of the
North Dakota university, and presi-
dent of the Western. League of Ora
tory:
1t is not my purpose to give an ex-
haustive or detailed history of the
Western League of Oratory, but rather
to sketch briefly its origin and in 30
doing emphasize an important phase
Of college life-a phase which is apt
to be overlooked by those interested
in our colleges and universities on ac-
count Of the fact that other phases of
our college activities are slightly over
emphasized. There are many people
who know only of the football league
between certain universities and COL
leges and are not aware of the fact
that there are other leagues, such. as
oratorical leagues and debating
leagues.
1t is indeed gratifying to learn of
the large attendance at the different
state and interstate oratorical and de-
batting contests the past year all over
the United States, and this is the high
est evidence that the people of this
country are commencing to realize the
Importance of these great battles of
brains. The existence of such leagues
needs no apology in representative
government. AS long as we need ora
tors for senate, house of repre-
.sentatives and for the. different states
to lead the people and defend their
rights we need these state and inter-
state organizations and it is to be
: hoped that the day is not far distant
when we will have national contest
and thus find the college orator for
the United States.
With but one or two exceptions
every state university in the United
States is connected with other state
universities or colleges through ora
torical and debating leagues. 1t is
not my purpose, however, to review
the different leagues of oratory or the
Adebating leagues among the different
groups Of universities, but shall con-
fine myself to the Western League of
Oratory with which am more ia
niliar. i shall discuss it's origin and
growth, Its winning orator for each
contest, It's presidents, and finally the
way q student may enter a contest,
and having shown this 1t will perhaps
be clear how the Interstate orator is
picked each year.
Organized In 1896.
The Western League Of oratory was
organized May Is, 1896, that being the
date North Dakota sealed the agree
ment with South Dakotazby electing a,
Npresident of the organization. The
Inter- Collegiate Oratorical League Of
North Dakota met at the Hotel Web
ster, Fargo, N. D., and adopted q. con-
stitutton. The following colleges were
represented: University of North Da-
kota, by J. F. Douglass; Agricultural
college, by &c. E. Nugent and G.. M.
Hall; Fargo college. by, W. H. Hubbell
and W. A. Deering, and the Red River
Valley university, by w. "A. Pringle. A
special meeting of the oratorical board
was called May 4, 1896, at the Hotel
Webster and the Invitation South Da-
Nkota extended to the State Oratoricsl
Association Of North Dakota to join
her In forming Western League of
Oratory was considered. After much
discussion the following letter was
sent which made possible the Western
Z League Of Oratory:
Lewis Odlund, Vermillion, S. D.:
Dear Sir-Inasmuch as our state
organization has not yet been. COM
pleted we take this method of express
ing our interest, and our desire to be-
come member of the proposed West
ern league. Indeed, we may add, that
we had in contemplation the sending
of a delegation to the Topeka conven-
ton, but as the time was SO limited
for completing arrangements the send
ing of a delegate was given up. 1t is
the express desire of the several coll
leges in our state to become mem
Der of the Western league. Therefore,
in behalf Of the state league, we re-
guest you to present the substance of
this letter and We authorize you to act
as our representative in the conven-
ton. Earnestly hoping for the success
Of the proposed Western league we are
cordially yours, 49,
&C. p. Nugent, N. p. q: c..
NIX OPP. Norby, N. d. A.tC.,
giSts. w. H. Deering, Fargo College
.t5 j. F. Douglass, N. D. u" n
The delegates met again May Is,
1906, and as North Dakota has been
rendered the presidency of the new
league, the delegates elected as the
first president of the Western League
Of Oratory e., M. Hall Of the North
/ Dakota Agricultural college. With
abe men from both states as officers,
the Western League Of Oratory COM
menced its life. &
e VEL, Montana Admitted.
The State Oratorical association Of
Montana was admitted to membership
June 3, 1901, and the Oratorical, assoc
citation Of Manitoba was admitted June
g, 1902. At present negotiations are
being carried on with Wyoming, and
1t is believed that the State association
Il OF Wyoming may make application for
l membership at the June meeting Of
the league Montana has not as yet
sent an orator to Western league
contest, and the same holds true as
regards Manitoba. but the orators
from North and South Dakota haze
met annually since the formation of
+ the league, and nine successful con-;
tests have been held. The last contest
( was held last Junse' In North Dakota.
and this year the contest will be held
In South Dakota. As to the probable
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