The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-10-25
LITERARY SOCIETIES.
Dreanized in Newberry High School,
Starting Out Well-Something
About First Debate.


Herald and News of the organization
OF two literary societies, one for the
Young ladies and one for the young
gentlemen, in connection with the
Newberry high school. These socle-
ties are for the purpose Of training
and cultivating the pupils in the mat
ter of composition, debate and parlla-
mentary usage. They will serve
very excellent purpose if they are pro-
perly conducted and it is gratifying
to know that the members are alreaoy
taking very great interest. The STUDY
of English and English composltlon
is not given the Importance in any Oh
CUR schools or colleges that it deserves
and. therefore. it is gratifying to kno"
these forward steps in the NeWoerrv
high school, and it will be a pleasure
to The Herald and News to encourage
The Young men and the young women
in every effort that looks to the I'M
provement in English composition.
Altar the election of officers and
tho organization of the societies, the
first meeting was held last frloav
afternoon and the young men went
right into the discussion OF live
and practical subject. The question
for debate at the meeting Friday was:
~sResolved, That the rapid growth OF
American cities is detrimental to the
hest interest of the nation
The affirmative of the question was
maintained by Mr.. W. G. Houseal, Jr.'
and as evidence that he had gwen
some thought and preparation to the
subject. The Herald and News is per-
1nitted to present his argument IN
favor of the side Of the question eS-
poused by him.
The following is his argument:
The census returns which are now
being published show a remarkably
rapid growth in the population OF
MANY American cities. By the rapid
growth of cities we mean a growth
that is greater than the natural in
crease. This means that some other
place, probably to great extent the
country around, is being depopulateo'
or that foreign countries are contr1-
jbuting to this growth.
Agriculture is the backbone OF
nation. It is the basis of all industry
"a prosperous agricultural interest IS
to a nation what good digestion is to 4
man. All progress, national prosper
itv and individual existence depend
upon the tilling of the soil and its pro-
per care" Any influence that WORKS
AGAINST the agricultural interests Is
detrimental to the best interests OF
the nation. When cities increase by
foreign immigrants and these people
are congested in cities it is not con-
.ducive to national welfare. 1t is tre-
uuently impossible for large num-
her of immigrants to find employment
in cities at once Poverty, overcroWd-
ing, and idleness is conducive to crime
and not good citizenship. If the lmml-
grants would go to the country and
till the soil instead Of crowding in
cities it would be for tae best inter-
,asts Of the nation.
It is conceded by physicians ana
scientists that the crowding OF peo-
nle in the houses of cities with lack
of fresh air and outdoor exercise
leads to bad health, bad morals and
bad citizenship.
Some one has said "the wealth OF
a Dation, the character Of its people,
IT, quality and permanence OF its IN
stitutions are all dependent upon
soynd and sufficient agricultural
foundation; not armies or navles or
commerce or diversity of manufacture,
or anything other tnan Tue Aalni 10
the anchor which will hold through
the storms of time that sweep all else
away"
The opposite side was nalntalneo
bv Mr.. Jas. Kinard and he presented
the following argument:
There has been much discussion on
the problem of Immigration. The ar
rival Of millions of foreigners IN THIS
country every year is one OF the cnlet
causes of the rapid increase in popu-
1.+ion Of our big Cities Most Of the
Immigrants go to the cities to llVe'
but some few go to small farms 10
live Many very prominent men OF
our country today are opposed 10 I'M
:,.-o+;on nm the ground that the