Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-16
DROUGHT DOWN HOUSE,.
Fuller ingraham Catches Audiences at
H. Recent Debate in Belfast.

The last issue of the Republican
Journal contains the following account
of the recent debate at Belfast be-
tween teams representing the Belfast
High and Cony High of this city,
which will be interesting reading to
many Augusta people: H1T>oga
! The debate in Memorial hall last Fri.
day evening between Belfast High and
Cony High of Augusta, called out
large and interested audience. CLAIR
ence E. Proctor, principal of the Bel
fast High school, introduced Mayor
Robert F. Dunton, who presided, and
Rev. Arthur A. Blair, who offered
prayer Miss Marguerite Owen of the
b. II, S. played with marked ease and
precision the Fifth Nocturne by Ley
BACH Mr.. Dunton had had just five
minutes notice in which to prepare a
short speech on neutrality, but he was
equal to the occasion and concisely
summarized this country's legal status
in the great conflict raging in Europe.
Our moral support and sympathy can
be given freely, but not the least thing
| that would assist in direct warfare.
An individual may enlist with any for
eign nation without involving the ma
| tons neutrality. but in so doing he
| forfeits his rights as citizen and
cannot look to this country for pro-
/ lection. - s@
The question for discussion was:
Resolved, That the Allies should re-
ceive the sympathy and moral support
of the American people"
Belfast had the affirmative and Cony
the negative. &
| dt,fr, .
was to time the debaters, allowed IL
minutes for the. direct arguments and
7 minutes for the rebuttai. He said
that where all had given so much time
and study on both sides of the ques-
ton individual comment would in. a
measure be unjust, but it goes without
saying that the visiting team has the
difficult side Of the question:, partic-
ularly with their audience. r.
! The contestants were Miss Ruth
Redman, Howard Wilson and Byron
Salter for Belfast High. and Joseph
Goldberg, Conrad Briggs and Fuller
! Ingraham for Cony High. Judges, DR.
w. L. West, Charles S. Bickford, and
Clarence e. Frost. s
Miss Ruth Redman in opening for
the, affirmative gave summary OF
the conditions leading up to the war
the preparations, ETC., and maintained
/ that the United States stands for
| world peace. Joseph Goldberg of Cony
High, for the negative made an effect
i've reply to-. Miss Redman. Then fof.
lowed Wilson and Bragg, pro and con
Salter and Ingraham. the latter bring
ing down the house, and was granted
another minute for his direct argument
for the interruption caused by ap'
plause The Cony boys were strong II
their rebuttals
At the close of the debate Mayor
Duriton said that all had done remark.
ably well and it seemed too bad that &
, decision must be rendered by the
judges on hard and prescribed rules
| He expressed wish that this nigh
, not be the last debate Belfast woulS
have the pleasure of listening to ant
thanked the members of Cony High
for their part in the evenings program
The judges, after a few minutes de
, liberation reported in favor of Belfas
, High, who won by a very CLOSE mar
; gin. The visitors at once extended
, congratulations. They wegeE accom-
: panied to- Belfast by Mr.. 4W.@Hsi San
born, submaster of Cony High. ant
this was their first participation in
public debate although their schoo
; had taken part in several. Belfas
High will go to Augusta next sprinl
, for another debate. s85