Morris tribune., 1915-03-19
THIRD ANNUAL CONTEST
RESULTS in A TIE
Crookston and Morris Agricul-
tural Schools Make Fine Show
ing in Debate About Philip
pines at Orpheum Theatre

According to the decision of the
judges in the debating contests held
Monday night between students at the
Morris and Crookston agricultural
schools, the Filipinos must be given
their independence. The schools have
settled that matter as far as Morris
and Cro0kston are concerned. Debates
were held in this ci y and at Crook
ston by teams from each school and
the result was tie.
Hon. S. A. Flaherty presided at
the debate at the Orpheum theatre
where a program of instrumental
music was listened to before and after
the debate. Judge Flaherty was
called upon in the absence of Dean
Woods of the College of Agriculture
at Hamline who was to be present.
Judge Flaherty dwelt upon the i'm
portance of debates in connection with
school work He said he had been
brought up on a farm aud was in
tensely interested in the work the
agricultural schools were doing. He
felt that his audience, as we'll as him.
self, was disappointed over the fact
that he was to preside instead of
Dean Woods, but if the audience
came with that notion it was soon
dispelled in the manner the distin-
guished jurist conducted the contest,
and after listening to bis remarks.
The question of debate was. ere
solved, that the Philippine Islands
should be granted their indepen-
dence" Morris had the affirmative
and the Crookston school had the
negative. Morris was represented by
Berger Johnson. Amanda Hansen and
Howard Hawkins. Norris Johnson,
Chester Wilson and John Hest repre-
sented Crookston. Prof. Martin. of
MoJrhead. Prof Nelson, of Willmar
and Attorney Wyveli, of Breckenridge,
acted as judges. Ten minutes altern.
ately were given each debater in Lpeh
ing and five minutes was allowed in
rebuttal.
For one hour and half the audi
ence sat in rspt attention while the
debaters presented mass of statis-
tics and quoted from Presidents Taft,
Mckinley, Roosevelt and Wilson.
several governors of the islands, Sen
ators Beveridge, Jones, Harrison ard
few other authorities on the Philip
Ioho
older and larger than those on the
Morris side. and looked like the real
heroes in any arena. They were
primed with facts and figures but
lacked the easy manner Of presenta'
tion characterizing the trio on the
Morris side. Berger Johnson was
the first speaker and his voice rang
clear and distinct to everv part of the
house. He was followed by Norris
Johnson who spoke rapidly and indis-
tinctlY at times. and whose gestures
were on the mechanical order. Miss
Hansen finished in cyclone of merit
ed applause after illustrating her points
with chart. Chester Wilson made
the best impression for Crookston. A
slight impeachment of speech which
caused him to hesitate at times was
the only feature causing him to miss
perfect score. John Hest was the
third and last man to appear for
Crookston and made good showing.
He was the only debater of the even
ing who was unable to present bis
argument within the allotted time.
Howard Hawkins wound up the debate
for Morris. Short of stature and
slight of frame the audience didn't
seem to expect much from him but he
furnished the surprise of the evening.
He presented his points in a clear and
Crookston skein with the adroitness
of veteran in the debating forum.
Like his collegue. Johnson, he ham,
mered home every telling point
with convincing gesture and he car
ried the audience with him from start
to finish. All three of the Morris de.
baters evidenced remarkable apti.
tude for public speaking and reflected
great credit upon the school and teach.
ers who has assisted them in preparing
for the contest.
After the debats closed the judges
brought in unanimous decision fo
the Morris agricultural school and th'
students arose from their seats ant
sang the school song. gave the schoo