The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-04-07
From Saturdays Daily.


high school last night won posses
sion of the Social Science club cup
and will hold it until it is wrested
away from 1t by the Philomathian
society at some future date. The
latter has held the cup for two
years past, but the judges last
night decided, by vote of two to
one, to award the cup for this years
possession to the Zetamathians.
1t was with immense din and up
roar that the clans gathered at the
high school assembly room. The
noise was thunderous and continu-
Gus, led by men with megaphones,
aided by several hundred strong
lunged young people. The school
and society yells and other calls
were given in as rapid succession
as possible, one society alternating
with the other, until it seemed as
though the roof was about ready
to fly off.
The assembly room, which was
probably used last night for the
last time for such an occasion. as
a much more spacious hall will be
available next year, in the new
building, was prettily decorated in
the colors of the two societies,
light yellow and pale blue. Long
streamers with the two colors
twisted together extended from the
chandeliers and across the room,
and the tables of the debaters
were decorated in their respective
colors. A large banner bearing the
name "Philomathian'' stretched
across one side of the room.
Professor C. J. Posey of the So
cial Science club presided, and the
judges were Rev. E. l.. Heermance,
Professor w. w. Frost and Charles
f. Wise. The high school orches-
ira rendered a selection very nicely.
Professor Posey read from the
records of the Social Science club
of the meeting of March Z, 1905, its
action in Offering the cup, and pre-
scented the rules governing George
w. Scherer's prizes of S. in gold
to the best debaters, one on each
side, and also the rules of the de-
bate. The subject for the debate
was Resolved, that the Panama
canal should be fortified" The Phil
omathians had the affirmative of
this, and the Zetamathians the mega
tive. Each debater had ten minutes
for the direct debate and five min
utes on indirect and rebuttal. In
reaching decision as to which side
won, thought was to be the first
consideration with the judges, and
delivery the second.
The PhiIomathian Debaters.
The Philomathian debaters were
Raymond Cowgirl, Miss Mae Agnew
and Edwin Goldenstar; and the Zet-
amathian debaters were Harry John
son, Malcolm Morehart and Fred.
Mott. The distinguishing feature of
the affirmative side was the way in
which they hammered home the points
that they made. each speaker re-
viewing what had been shown by
the others. The negative side re-
served its summing up until the
close, and made a very good show
ing. Both sides showed a familiar
ity with the subject and with the
attitude of diplomats, statesmen and
naval and military authorities that
evidenced deep study and close re-
search, which work cannot help but
have proved highly beneficial to
them.
Both teams are composed of first
class debaters, and the contest was
one of the most earnestly fought
out and interesting ever witnessed
at the school. One Of the most
striking features was the readiness
and resource in rebuttal and the
meeting of arguments and the quo
tation from authorities to enforce
or overturn points made.
Mr.. Cowgirl led the debate in a
logical and thoughtful manner, pre-
senting his plea earnestly and
without any attempt to bid for ap-
plause. He reviewed the treaties
and historical facts bearing on the
canal. and argued that they pre-
sent no obstacle to fortifcation, and
said that some of the best legal
minds in America so hold, while no
English statesman objects. He said
that this country would own the
canal and that the latter would be
destructable property; that it would
be virtually part of our coast
line; that it was located far away
in foreign country subject to rev
buttons, and liable to land attack;
that the Hay-Poncefote treaty does
not provide for an international
police; that this country cannot eff
fectively police the canal without
Notifications; that it's strategical i'm
portance makes it's fortifcation nee
essary for the national safety, and
that this country has legal and
moral right to do SO. Our flag should
not be planted there on the shifting
sands, but Oh mighty bastions. For
tifying the canal would promote
peace by discouraging attack.
Morehart for the Negative.
Malcolm Morehart led off for the
negative i'm heart and SOul Way