The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-19
AUBURN MAN WINS
ORATORS MEDAL
|. T. Quinn Awarded De-
cision Last Night
SPLENDID ORATIONS
Howard, Birmingham College and
Southern University Ably Repre-
scented in Contest-Medal De-
livered by Judge Grubb

T. T. Quinn. representing the Alabama
Polytechnic Institute in the Alabama
intercollegiate Oratorical association, was
awarded the medal as the best speaker
last night at the eleventh annual con-
test of the organization, held at the
Central High school. He spoke on The
American Democracy
Other participants We're: VIII o. Wal
ton. representing Birmingham college, and
speaking on 1.-The Preservation of Amer
lean Ideals" W. c. Blake OF Howard
college, speaking on ''The Drifting of
an Ideal,' Sand Political Independence,
the Hope of the Nation" by NJ. II. Do
zier of Southern university.
Judge w. l. Grubb Of the federal court
announced the decision of the judges,
who were A. II. Ford and Judge S. d.
Murphy. There was an instant of silence
over the auditorium of the High school
then a cheer in honor of the victor. On
the platform his opponent crowded around
Mr. Quinn congratulating him. He was
presented the medal by Judge Grubb and
the crowd filed from the auditorium
Walton First Speaker
Mr. Walton of Birmingham college
smoke first. He called attention to the
fact that the present time was a grave
crisis in the history of the nation and
one in which the cherished ideals of the
country were in danger. He touched on
the dangers of unrestricted immigration,
the changed character of that immigra-
ton since 1890 and noted the impossi-
bility of assimilating the present hetero-
rerious mass which is drawn from Eu-
rope He advocated the iliteracy test
as the solution of the immigration prob
lem He touched on the past history
of the nation, the ideals, established by
the fathers of the nation and deplored
the tendency toward retrogression mani
Tested in the life of the people of the
present day. However, Mr. Walton was
not at all pessimistic and declared with
the .'robber tariff doomed and a DEM
ocratic administration in power there was
q brighter and better day in store for
the nation in the near future. In clos
ing he exhorted the people to stand fast
10 the ideals established by the fathers
and all would be well.
Mr.. Walton has an exceedingly pleasing
voice a finished delivery and an impress
sive stage present. The close of his ora-
ton was greeted by enthusiastic cheer
ing both from friends and rivals alike.
Underwood Cheered
W. c. Blake of Howard college followed
Mr.. Walton and presented a slightly
pessimistic picture of present-day condl-
tions. In the beginning, he said, America
was the land OF equal opportunity for all
and special privilege for none. He spoke
of the poor hoy who had achieved wealth
and greatness in the past and asked If
equal opportunity for every man existed
at present. He answered in the mega
tive and proceeded TO sketch the reasons
why he made the statement. Unlawful
combination OF corporate interests he
held primarily responsible while the tar
iii was no mean factor. with the tariff, .
said Mr.. Blake, corporate interests say
10 competitive capital. stay out. and
to competitive labor, Come in . Con-
seuuently the American laboring man Is
ground beneath the upper and the neither
milestone of the high cost of living and
the cheapness of labor. During the course
Of his grafton Mr.. Blake had occasion
10 mention Oscar w. Underwood. A wild
burst of cheering swept the hail. 1t was
to Mr.. Underwood, said the speaker. that
the people of the nation were looking
for relief from present unequal oppor-
tunities. He closed by deploring the in
creasing number of divorces and made
a stirring appeal to maintain the sanctity
of the home.
Mr.. Quinn spoke next on "The American
IJeinOCTdcy- he OullIltu Tie CduSCs
which led to the foundation of the re-
public of the United States, events which
followed that foundation and the present
conditions of the democracy. Mr.. Quinn
had every confidence in the democracy of
the United States. Should the United
States fail. he said, 1t might we'll be
said that humanity had failed and had
been proven unfit for self-government.
Mr. Dozier of Southern university was
the concluding speaker of the evening,
the subject of his Grafton being "Polit-
icaI Independence. the Hope of the Ma
ton" The speaker deplored the hide
bound rule of the political party, which,
he said, was responsible for the power
of the so-called boss in many states of
the union. The man who indorses every
move "the party made supported every
measure fathered or approved by it, was
narrow indeed and was not of the high
est type of citizen, he declared. The
salvation of the nation lay in the break
ing of party ties and the making of men
free to think for themselves, in the opin-
ion of the speaker.
Young Ladies Please
Upon the conclusion of Mr.. Dozer' 5
address the judges retired and Miss Kath-
1een Moody gave a delightful piano solo
which was enthusiastically received. The
applause was so insistent that the musi-
clan returned to the platform and gave
an encore. Earlier in the evening Miss
Annie Lou Wood rendered a very pleas
ing vocal solo,
The meeting was presided over by Cur
tis p. Hasty of Howard. president of the
association. The ushers were T. G. Comp
and w. C. Sandlin.