The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1908-01-16
THE DEBATE
A Big Event
A VICTORY FOR THE Affirmative
The Dalles Attends With q Special
Train and High school
Band.

Band.
The decision was given to The Dalles.
1t was contest 10 which q great
deal of interest was taken by both
sides, The Dalles coming down by
special train, aud Hood River nlling
the spacious Odd Fellows hall to the
doors.
Ever since Hood River won the de-
tate last year at / ne Dalles, a sore
ness has ranked the hearts Of The
Dalles CROW d. aud Wien II was decid-
ed to have . dsbate again this year
they resolved to leave no stone IN.
turned to reverse the decision of q
year ago. 1t Is said they were coached
by legal talent of high ability, while
the Hood River boys had no assist
ance outside of their own efforts.
Both sides made a good showing,
and the majority OF the Hood River
audience we're surprised at the decis.
ion while even many Of The Dslles
crowd admitted they were equally
surprised to receive the decision. Yet
the defeat is taken gracefully ty Hood
River, although 1t puts them out OF the
state contest for this year.
through the generosity OF The
Dalles business men, special train
was furnished the school children,
and over 100 students and others came
down from The Dalles about five
O'Clock Friday afternoon, together
with their High School band. The
crowd thronged through the streets,
visiting the progressive stores Of the
city, aud after supper went up to the
halt, where 100 seats had been re.
served tor them In advance. A few
minutes after the doors opened there
was not a vacant chair, and the late
comers had to stand.
The time previous to the opening OF
the debate was taken up by selections
from The Dalles band, class yells
from each side, and musical selec-
tions from the Hood River Glee club,
composed Of young ladies. Waving
pennants OF each eide made gaily
appearance, and added to the enthus-
iasm and interest in the event of the
evening.
Prof Il. E. Coad acted as chair man
of the meeting
The question was "Rosolved, that
the Government Should Own and Op-
crate the Railways Of the United
States.
Harry Nitschke was leader of the
affirmative for The Dalles, and the
first orator of the evening. He out
lined the argument for his side, and
made a good talk, although lakoring
under the effects Of recent Illness,
and threfore somewhat nervous.
The opposition was led by Burley
Cash, of Hood River, who at once
proved himself the principal orator OF
the evening. He stated his side OF
the case in clear, oonsice manner,
and the debate was started with in
creased interest. Mr.. Cash had the
advantage OF the Others on his side on
account of previous experience and al
natural fitness for the platform. He
made a good impression, and In the
opinion of the majority Of the audi
enoe, the negative was having the best
of the argument.
ond speaker for The Dalles. She is
an experienced debater, has q good
address. pleasant voice, and her argu.
ment showed consider able preparation
and study.
Merrill Gessling followed for Hood
River, and his talk was Of moderate
length and [ > the point. He directed
several points OF saI casm towards bis
opponents, and while IL created mer-
riment, may not have wen the favor
from the judges that was intended,
yet his points we're well TAKEN.
Ray Harper was the third speaker
for The Dalles, and he handled his
subject with confidence, and made a
good impression.
Karl Onthank then took the plat
form, and his argument was one of
facts, showing good deal of study
and knowledge of the subject which
should have clinched the battle for
food River He was under the dis
advaLtag however, of weak voice,
many In the back part Of the hall not
being able to hear all of his discourse.
Burley Cash closed the argument
for the negative. In inasterly way
he presented clear, forceful srgu-
ment, citing opinions from learned
men to prove his side Jf the case, and
in the matter of points, Hood River
had the best of the argument, 10 the
opinion OF the audience.
Harry Nitschke closed the argu-
menl for The Dalles. He presented
many arguments that suggested tie
help from older heads, yet the audi
ence was not yet convinced, and the
decision showed that but two of the
three judges we're won over to the
side of the affirmative.
The judges we're Prot. Robinson and
Prot. White, of Portland, and Prof.
Bryant. of Moro.
The result OF the decision was fol-
lowed by chorus of yells and music
from The Dalles band, and the crowd
dispersed. A large crowd OF Hood
River students escorted their victori
GUS opponents to their special train,
which did not pull out until after the
departure OF the night trains from
Portland. A fine banner which
adorned the side of coach on the
fpecial train was torn from its fasten
ings by the local contingent, and the
rophy was fastened to the yard arm
Of the semaphore al the depot, to the
effect that at least some OF the laurels
had been wrested sfrom their oppon-
ents.
A dove. with the Hood River coloIs
attached, WAS liberated soon after the
speaking commenced, and attracted
attention from the debate during the
evening by flying from one part OF the
room to the other.
The Dalles Chronicle was represented
by Mrs.~.I. M. Filloon, as staff CORES
ponden., and gave the affair much
publicity in that paper of the follow
Ing day. In speaking of the impress
sion of tie city after their arrival,
she said:
The Dalies crowd ,trolled about the
thrifty, busy city yesterday looking
at its up to date stores Of every kind,
and at the pretty homes. The mer
cha ts are optimistic as to the future
end say that they had q good fall
trgde. far better than the preyious