The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1916-03-17
SCHOOL PUPILS HOLD
INTERESTING DEBATE
At Howell Theater Tuesday
Night-Pomona School
Wins.

An interesting debate between the
prize orators of the Palatka and Po-
mona schools was the attraction at
Howell theater on Tuesday evening.
The Pomona school was represented
by Causey Green, Robert Middleton
and Miss Grace Wells.
Palatka's school team was made up
of Warren Sleap, Norman Currie and
Fannie Wilson.
The theater was well-filled with
people, many of whom were children
from the schools interested, though
Of course the Palatka boys and girls
greatly out-numbered those from Po-
mona.
Rev. Robert S. White, pastor of
the Pomona Congregational church,
was made chairman of the meeting,
and the judges were Rev. E. H. By
rons of Pomona, Hon. Henry Hutch
inson and Geo. B. Everson of this
city.
The subject, while The News has
not the exact wording, was: "Resolved
that the preparedness program as
outlined by President Wilson, should
be accepted"
The affirmative side was taken by
the Palatka debaters, while Pomona
held the negative side.
Well, it was indeed interesting to
hear these young people discuss this
great national question, question
that is just now agitating the people
of the whole country. Those who
have thought little on the subject, had
they been present to hear these young
people discuss it, would have come
away assured that they had been do
ing some thinking. Their points for
and against showed that. In this the
boys were not alone. The girls are
some debaters, and unless we mis-
take the signs of the times they will
be able to hold their own in any fu-
ture discussions, be they in the fam
lily, the church or the state.
When the debate was concluded
and the judges had compared notes,
it was announced by the chair that
the decision was in favor of Palatka,
two of the judges being for the Pa
latka school and one for Pomona.
Mr. Byrons, who lives at Pomona, an
nounced that his decision was for the
Affirmative, the Palatka side.
This decision was so r.ublished.
But after the meeting had adjourn
ed Mr. Byrons discovered that he had
made mistake. Rev. Mr.. White,
chairman of the meeting, when he
'ound this out, got busy on the tele-
9hone and called up the Palatka
Judges, assuring them that Mr.. By
'ons had made mistake in giving
he decision to the affirmative in
tead of the negative.
Both Mr.. Everson and Mr.. Hutch
,rsoninson assure The News that Mr..
3yrons called off his figures as ia. i
'oring the affirmative.
Anyway the points were so close
hat it is going to take some more
lebates to thoroughly settle in the
minds of hearers which really excell-
ID; both were excellent.
The figures, as they stand correct
ID are:
Judge Byrons-Pomona, $40; Palat,
"a, 2S9.
Judge Observation-Disclosures, 81;
'alatka, 70.
Judge Everson-Pomona, 94 1-3; +
'alatka, 95 1-3.
In the original report Judge By
ons had his figures reversed.
In connection with the mistake of +
sev. Mr.. Byrons, one of the judges,
he News has received the following !
etter from Rev. R. S. White, the !
hartman of the debate.
Pomona, Mar. 18th
,ditor Palatka News:
Enclosed find figures of Rev. Mr.. +
'yrons and Mr.. Henry Hutchinson !
wo of the three judges who took {,
art in the debate last evening. The
aport brought in by their chairman \
'as that Palatka had won, two to
ne. T
Mr.. Byrons informed me last night
fter the debate that he had given
is largest number of points to Po- n
iona as you will see by the enclosed. f.
Lr. Hutchinson informed me that he ?
ad given Pomona one more than Pa is
tka (should have been two, as you p p
i'll find when you divide the sum =
tal by three.) This of course as g
ou will readily see gave Pomona his q
,te. He was under the impression a
lat he was the only one who stood a, q
r Pomona. When l informed him 81
at Rev. Mr.. Byrons had also given ~ ~
omona the largest number of points. - -
. Immediately replied that if that r.
as true Pomona team won. l call
up Mr.. Everson and gave him the =,
lrticulars. He said that he had "
Rev. Mr.. Byrons then. cl
e thought that he had voted for Pa W W
tka and according to this Pomona a,
ID won. Said also that he would "
start in to set things U
yht. =,
l have the original of the enclosed ;S
gned by the two out of the three 40
ges. l am holding them so as TO o+
we them to produce when desired. ~;
was the one who presided over the
Getting last evening and l feel that
is my duty as soon as possible to :
= thi, h,,x, | r