Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-05-14
INTERSTATE PROHIBITION CONTEST

UIUiOu aSSOClaClOn was lelQ at Angus
tana college on Thursday and Friday
OF last week.
The oratorical contest took place
Thursday evening before a good sized
audience who were present to witness
the final struggle between contestants
who had won first place in home con
tests. The Wesleyan University wa.
represented by Mr.. Warren w. Coke
Agricultural College by MIR. e. w
Yokom; Sioux Falls Baptist College
by Miss Eunice Willis; Washington
Springs Seminary by MI. G. A. Evans
and Augustana College by Miss Marie
s. Thomson.
The program commenced with a
selection by the college band under
the direction of Prof. Berdahl which
brought a hearty encore.
The opening remarks were by K. U.
Berdahl, president Of the state associ-
alton, during which he explained the
purpose and scope of the organization
and referred to the contestants in a
manner very complimentary to all.
The first speaker was Miss Thorn
son and her subject was IAN Appeal
for our Girls" 1t is only just to
Miss Thomson to say that she had
been sick for nearly two weeks pre-
vious to the contest and for nearly a
week was compelled to be absent
from the college class room.
Her subject "a original In thought
and argument and her delivery was
graceful and elegant, with a charm Of
manner, action and voice that would
give her the title Of a finished plat
form artist before any fair, compi-
tent. critical audience. She was
gracefully natural. There was no ef-
fort for stage effect, her every move
ment, voice and gesture was a bril-
liant appeal to the American father
in behalf Of the girls Of the nation, |
and as she turned her bright, express
sive eyes to an imaginary father OF
the nation In mute appeal for protec-
ton from the demon that destroys SO
many homes, her very soul seemed to
speak through appealing eyes. This
scene alone should have given her
first place in delivery before any COM
petent body II she had not spoken
another word. Her voice at times
was low, earnest and pathetic. She
was closing a brilliant appeal to a
listening Judge who had power to act;
she was not talking to a noisy crowd
or an acre of people. Her voice was
pitched to a proper key for the ear Of
a national father sitting in a court Of
Judgment. She was pleading for the
girl, pleading for protec-
ton to those who suffer most from
the curse Of rum. Her voice was
and strong and deeply con-
yincing at times, then came the voice
earnest appeal, low and plaintive.
She was pleading with a sinking
heart before arrogance and power,
then IS the wrongs and sufferings Of
The American girl cried out in pro-
lest against q power that legalized
with flashing eyes she de-
manded Justice and protection for the
American girl, and proved her right
20 plead-nay demand.
We are only speaking in a plain
way OF what four hundred people saw
md heard that evening, and after {
listening to hundreds Of the best art
lists In New York and elsewhere for
gears, we can only say our surprise /!
great when the decision OF the !
Judges denied her first place; not first
place on . close margin, but first
place with . big margin. There is no
in her coming within
half . point Of winning when she was
'asily the victor In thought, compost
ion and delivery. There was no half
,0int anywhere In the comparison.
'ome Of the judges must have expect
d . stump speech with Amazonian
'oice before q rough house in Sioux
Falls. or . straight, stand up and
lowl. with shaking Of lips at the be-
inning and ending Of each sentence,
nd 9 hair raising, crowd tickling
vhirl In the middle.
MlSO 4uOmSOnS competitors were
8 much surprised as the audience at
decision, as they expected to hear
er name ANNOUNCED as the victor.
The announcement brought no APP
lause, the audience drew its BREATH
q surprise aud was silent.
Those who might claim some
:nowlcdge OF thought, composition
I'D delivery, denounced the decision
8 an outrage, and the LEADER has
9 hesitancy IN approving this express
ion.
The second speaker was Mr.. Yokom.
rho discussed "The Nations Foe,"
be third wa Miss Willis who spoke
q Prohibition and the Home,o the
1urth Mr.. Evans, who had for his
1.-THE Dominant Issue OF
Imsrican Politics." and the last
was Mr.. Coke who had select
4 for his Grafton . subject that per-
lifted ~Oratorical effort to the voice
NIT. His subject was: "Does it
ay?"
Miss Thomson's competitors dis
a2ed prohibition filed with statis-
lcs and arguments as old as the
luse. but We have no unfavorable